Dialogue and communication may seem like more of the same thing at first glance. however,
if you dive a little too deep in these concepts you will realize that they are different even though
they are not that different. A dialogue is mainly between people who are sharing information
about anything, no one is enforcing their perspective on the other and all learn a new thing that
and add to what they already know as long a it makes sense and fits. On the other hand,
communication is about enforcing your ideas and perspectives that you have onto Others so
that you can have something in common in which has been passed on by you and the person
receiving does not have a say. With dialogue, there is a high chance that there is going to be
mutual respect, listening and understanding of each other and different perspectives. This
happens because no one is listening to defend or to just answer but because they are gaining
knowledge and know each perspective of the other person matters. Because of those, you can
create long lasting friendships with people and gain new knowledge at the same time. People
love it when they feel values and listened to. During service learning, we engage in dialogues
with the mentees because we all talk about our perspectives and try to see where each person
comes from and not try to enforce my beliefs as a mentor because I say I’m older and through
that understanding each bother and respect, we have a good relationship with my mentee.
Meanwhile with communication because it is a one-way street, there can be lack of
understanding and signs of an selective hearing to the conveyer if the receiver responds. Lack
of understanding because the person conveying the message does not want to listen to other
people, they have a soldier mindset which is basically being focused on what you know and
saying while disregarding everything knew or said by other people. For example, if a alecturer
was to communicate that two assignments are due on consecutive days and when the students
respnds, the lecture instead of litening to reason say that the learners are basically saying the
lecture will have to choose between the two assignments which she/he wants because they will
not do both.
As a house committee member, I always suggest that whenever a decision that involves the
house is about to be taken, we must include them and not make it on our own then enforce it
on them. My chat with that is that whatever happens in future that relates to that decision, they
will have themselves to hold accountable and not the house comm as we always catch smoke
when something goes wrong. This has possibility of inhibiting my understanding of others that
want to make big decisions that do not involve them only but those around them. I always strive
that whoever that will get affected by a certain decision, must be in the deciding table. That
can also inhibit my growth in the sense that I may be running away from situations that need
me to make big decisions and now I may grow to not be comfortable to make life-changing
decisions even if I have to.
I believe that we can make less severe the impact of prejudice on flow of communication by
increasing empathy and understanding. With increasing empathy, we must start by seeing
another person as human and not dehumanize them by not listening to their views and not value
any contribution they make. We must listen with respect and value their contribution in every
conversation and that way they will feel human. With understanding, we must listen to not
defend our views but we must listen to understand and make our contribution whether we are
opposing or agreeing. This happens nicely during the tutorials where each is given a chance to
talk and all the other people respect the person and listen to understand then oppose or to agree.
My peers during tutorials humanize each other because they value and respect each opinion
being shared throughout.
I think with what Bohm mentioned in the reading that there is a generational gap between the
old and young people and how it is causing lack of understanding between the two generations
is very relevant. I believe that the reason for the lack of understanding between the two
generations is because the older generation tends to dehumanize the younger. I say that the
older generation dehumanizes the younger one because they do not want to respect on the basis
that they are older and respect is supposed to be given to them only, they do not value the
opinions and feelings of the younger generation and that dehumanizes the young ones because
that means they are not recognized because parents consider themselves as knowers. An
example of this is in the movie moonlight where Paulo belittles Chiron through saying hurtful
words to him and some that are even homophobic that make him think so little of himself. All
of her actions show that he does not value and respect Chiron which shows dehumanization.