An Observation On Profiling, Community And Individuality
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

An Observation On Profiling, Community And Individuality

You are unique and not a number. But numbers are much easier to comprehend.

71
An Observation On Profiling, Community And Individuality
Polished Perceptions

Picture this scenario: an organization with an exceptionally diverse staff, including individuals from numerous ethnic and cultural backgrounds and also those who identify with various genders, has come across a problem where thoughts and ideas are not equally shared among meetings. Some minorities feel as if it is difficult to speak up due to the overwhelming majority of white co-workers. Some LGBTQ individuals are over conscious and don't know how to chime in when they have something to say. So, to deal with these concerns, the organization hires a facilitator. A professional that is dedicated and is paid (very well, on the higher end of six digits) to facilitate meetings at organizations so that everyone is valued and appreciated, creating a much more dynamic and productive meeting. Employees are called in for the meeting and is sat down at a table (seating structure is most likely designed so that everyone faces each other, so that it makes bouncing of ideas much more interactive). And the facilitator introduces himself as the facilitator, and first things first, he asks everyone to introduce themselves by stating their name, position at the organization, and where they’re originally from. The first employee states her name, her position, and her hometown, then adds in a little comment about how her inner “hometown slang” will slip out once in awhile. After a casual yet professional laugh among the employees, the second employee introduces himself. Coincidentally, the facilitator and the second employee have met one another before, so the facilitator was well aware that the employee was born in the Caribbean. The employee states his name, his position, and with pride, says that he is from the Bronx, New York. As soon as he states that, the facilitator nods and with a smile asks,

“where are you actually from?”

Of course the employee clarifies he was born in the Caribbean and explains that he was raised in the Bronx. Later, the facilitator spoke on the necessity of introductions along with extra information, like hometowns, so that individuals in the meeting may have a little more of a personal connection with their co workers, creating willingness to speak up. But that second employee, the one who was “actually” from the Caribbean, rather than the home he identified with more, felt a disconnect as soon as the facilitator himself asked him to clarify where he is from. The facilitator was not wrong, he was doing what he was originally aiming to do: to connect the individuals through their hometown or where they were born. But somehow this second employee felt farther away from his co-workers now that they knew where he was originally from. His birthplace has now become a representation of his character, habits, diet, hobbies, and even reputation. Now his co-workers have unwillingly generated an image of him that does not necessarily represent him. From past, personal experiences from readings, media portrayals, and stereotypes in general, the human mind puts together a puzzle pieced together by made up pieces. And unless one is conscious of this phenomena, an individual will rely on that made up image and begin to assume things about this second employee that is completely wrong.

It’s easy to assume, prejudge, and rely on bias. It’s even easier to ignore the fact that these assumptions are assumptions. That they are built off of inaccurate representations of communities filled with individuals with unique experiences and realities. Just like it’s much easier to remember a phone number by grouping sets of numbers, it’s easier to identify people by grouping them into their community. The second employee sees himself as a proud American Bronxite, yet the facilitator who is paid to include members of a meeting, unconsciously excluded the American by pointing out that he is an immigrant. As generations pass, individuals become much more diverse, especially in the U.S.A. Individuals with unconventional backgrounds, with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation parents. The diversity in this world grows constantly, a melting pot.

I am Japanese and Dominican with first generation parents, I love fried plantains and natto. Enka brings nostalgia and merengue gives me life. But someone sees me and is confused, they don’t know what to assume because they’ve never met a Japanese-Dominican. Dominicans say I am not Dominican and Japanese people say I am not Japanese. Americans trip out because they don’t know how to label me. My father told me this is a blessing. My background forces people not to make those assumptions that the second employee was a victim of. People are forced to see me as a human being, an individual rather than a component of something bigger. I used to see it as a curse. I rarely meet family members, I can’t belong to a community of shared blood, it’s difficult to have pride in somewhere you barely set foot on.

In no ways or means am I saying that this bias or grouping is wrong or right. I am not enforcing my own values upon anyone, just an observation of an ironic phenomena. As soon as you ask someone where they are from, or to clarify where they are born or where they were raised, you are automatically creating an image for yourself, of someone you might barely know. People have pride and a wanting to belong to something bigger like a community or a country, but the identification of this belonging will label you, categorize you into a building block identical to the block next to you. We want to be unique, but enforce the exact thing that makes us the same as the one before and after us.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57425
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37000
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958742
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190810
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments