Dialectics: 5183 Leading in Culturally Responsive Environments

 Dialectics

Haylee Cannon

    One of my friends and coworkers recently converted to the Orthodox church while I am a

member of a Baptist church. We have a close bond, so I felt it was appropriate and respectful

for us to hold this conversation. I asked her if she would be open to discussing differences

between our religions, especially since she had just recently converted. I found that our

conversation was mutually respectful and led to a greater understanding between both of

us. Differences include how acts of worship are conducted, varying details in church and

baptism, and the different values and acts of services. I will admit that I sometimes felt myself

slipping back into the mindset of judgement or correction instead of simply striving to learn a

new perspective. I think this happens all too frequently, and we don’t even realize it. All too

often, we don’t want to hear what others have to say; we want them to agree with us. This

concept reminds me that I need to continue to strive to listen to understand as opposed to

listening to respond. This is when we truly reached a greater understanding. Although we might

not have agreed on the details, it’s evident that we both value our religion and use it to try to

better our own lives and the lives of others.

    We discussed key differences between the two religions, but one thing that was

apparent was the love and faith we both took from our individual experiences and each other.

Unfortunately, there is a greater inclination to focus on what divides us and makes us different. I

believe that we can be so caught up in our differences that we forget there’s much more that

connects us. Even more so, our differences should be celebrated. In my current field as a

middle school teacher, it’s important for me to value the differences my students offer because

these should be honored and celebrated. When we view differences as an opportunity to learn

something new instead of becoming defensive, we gain a greater understanding of the world’s

beauty that is all around us.

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