Understanding Differences and Perspectives

Our own experiences can bring up differences and perspectives with one another. Experiences can be of being of a different culture, upbringing, knowledge, and so forth; in knowing that, different perspectives are to be as a result. As I am part of a cohort of incredible women from different parts of the world, has so far been humbling and an eye-opener. We are touching on delicate subjects in our studies such as in race and sex, and due to our own experiences we have our own perspectives. Although it is intriguing to hear each one of own thoughts on a subject, it can be challenging at the same time. Of course speaking on a subject, we speak about what we know or ask on what we do not know. However, that is when challenges can occur because as we express our own perspective from our own experiences, we do not want to upset anyone based on those perspectives (or at least I try not to). So far, I feel that I am expanding in my ways of thinking on conversation within the subjects we are discussing amongst each other. Sometimes it is difficult to not connect our emotions in the topic, or take perspectives personally. In doing so, we need to observe and acknowledge how our perspectives are coming to be based on our backgrounds. With that being said, as we have just delved into “positionality” we were able to hone in and a take a peak on how our positions may influence our own perspectives on a topic. As I speak for myself, I feel that in this course other than studying the curriculum, I am naturally working a muscle of “understanding”, understanding others’ perspectives and that it is okay if they are not the same as mine, and it is okay if they firstly take an offense from mine initially or the other way around. As long as we allow ourselves to both discuss those differences and work together so there is no conflict. I am seven months into my Master’s program and I am learning beyond the academics but on how to share a space with knowledgable women, and how we can discuss respectfully together on sensitive topics.