Taking political correctness into consideration...

As our instructor, Mrs. Keith, has proposed, we communicate with others because we want something from them. In order to maximize the effectiveness of our encounters with others, especially those whom we may be unfamiliar, we utilize various communication aids to strengthen the connection we develop with them. This, in my opinion, is where being politically correct comes into play.

Being politically correct, essentially, is to avoid including slang, metaphors, or anything that may be objectionable in our transactions with others. We utilize political correctness as a way to facilitate smoother communication with others in order to more easily attain what we want from them. The most common field where this can be applied is politics, and this is why we refer to this idea as political correctness. Such as in politics, we keep in mind the symbolic attachments our words or phrases may have so that we can either hide our motive or at least appear to be unbiased and/or unaffiliated with certain beliefs.

I don't believe that being politically correct impedes our ability to communicate with others. In fact, as I have already mentioned, I really believe that it is a speaking tool that we use to further the amount that we receive from our transactions with others. We use this aid willingly to hide our agendas or motives. I do believe, however, that it is a way to be dishonest because we hide the beliefs that we hold true to ourselves in order to convince others we are something that we are not (at least in part) and to gain from them. Again, we refer to this function as political correctness because that is the way of politics; utilizing a manufactured image of ourselves in order to better facilitate communication to further our agendas with others (because, in reality, we are always looking to better our position before others).

Also, I would argue that we only act in such a way when we regard the opposite party as neutral or even opposite to our views. We do this, as I have restated, to further our personal agendas, or to obtain more from others. When we are really interested in just communicating with people we have already established a relationship, we often disregard being politically correct. So, in a way, this speaking aid is optionable, and we avoid utilizing it when we are already comfortable with the person to which we are speaking to. Simply, if we know a person well, we cut the bullcrap and, more often then most, freely voice our opinions whether they are politcally correct or not because we already know that we are in welcome company. I, and I am sure everyone reading this, can recall an occasional when somebody we are close too should have been politically correct when they expressed certain beliefs. We may have felt reservations about what was said. However, we go along with it because we care for the person and respect them deeply enough to look past what was said.

I like to listen to what others have to say about themselves

Listening, as others have already mentioned, in a skill. I believe this is absolutely true and, while considering my preferred style of listening, it became clear to me that I am primarily focused on trying to make a connection with others and coming to an understanding with other people. I try to empathize with other people's feelings and as a result I would consider myself a people-oriented listener.

My base instinct, when participating in conversation, is to try to see other people's interpretations of what they are expressing. I like to see how other people feel about things because this challenges my own interpretation of said things. To me, it seems, this is the most rewarding way of listening and I derive the greatest pleasure from conversation that allows for different points of view. Also, when participating in this sort of conversational environment, I get the greatest chance to debate or to offer my own interpretation of what is being discussed. Therefore; I am primarily focused on what other people have to say or how they feel about a particular subject.

Aside from trying to see other people's point of view, challenging my own ideas, or trying to offer a contrasting point of view, I really like to offer a friendly ear to those who need it. I feel I connect with people and reach a better understanding in this regard. I can't explain why this comes naturally to me, but perhaps it is a trait I developed because of my family members similar listening styles. In any case, I believe I have an ability to feel for other people and, in this vein, can usually offer emotional support or, in some cases, relevant advice. And, like I said, I derive the greatest pleasure from connecting to others in this sense. I sort of view myself as that friend who is always willing to listen to both the good the bad news regardless of the context. In fact, I hope to find future employment as a therapist and, chiefly, a professional people-oriented listener.

Let me offer you my thoughts on stereotyping...

Personally, I am an outspoken advocate of equality in all matters. I feel that, regardless of a persons culture, background, and/or lineage, they deserve respect simply because they are a human being. Abject criticism has no place in my court. Therefore; watching Crash actually kind of annoyed me because the movie relies on flagrant stereotypes to draw inaccurate conclusions about our perceptions of others. Not all people are racist, nor are all people even judgmental of others. I would agree that most individuals might fall into either category, but there are an awful lot people who are humanists and know that they are unable to judge a person until they've had an adequate amount of time to meet them. I personally feel it is completely unreasonable to make conclusions about people until you've met them and each human being is completely unique from another.
Each human is unique, and, in my opinion, has infinite potential. To me, it seems, that we are only limited by the judgment and interference of others. If human beings were to allow one another to coexist naturally then our civilization would excel. However, I believe that we, in our own fight for dominance, intentionally limit others so that we can outdo them and it is our ignorance that compels us to continue this unhealthy practice. However, I also believe this is learned response and comes from an instinctual urge for dominance over others. It is only through delving within our own psyche do we realize that we constantly make unfair judgments of others. And, through my rant, I hope people begin to realize this and consciously become aware of doing it. When we are aware of this, we can begin to reverse our learned behavior.
Perhaps my tone seems idealistic, but that's because it is. I derive my feelings from truly believeing in the potential of mankind. I understand that I am on my soapbox and diverging from topic, but I would like people to consider what I am saying. By extending stereotypes, even as an allegory for change, we teach people to judge others. The focal point needs to be moved away from stereotyping. Rather, we should teach individuals that everyone is different and come to acceptance with that which is different from what we are used to. Acceptance is the key to harmony. When we become aware of this, that we can eventually appreciate these differences, and learn from them. Our culture can absorb the lessons of other cultures and eventually gain greater understanding of the world in which we exist from seeing it from many different views. We are all human beings, and that in itself is a reason for unity! (Just think of magnitude of what was necessary for our species to flourish)
So, if it is not already apparent, Crash will have absolutely no influence on my future interactions. I will continue to try and become more aware of the true nature of reality and what really is important. Stereotyping has no place in today's culture and I hope for every human being to realize this. What brings us together (cultural unity, familiarity, common beliefs) also tears us apart (ethnocentrism, ignorance of unfamiliar cultures, and dissidence with those who share a belief uncommon to our own). We need to stop applying labels to divergent beliefs, and instead welcome the unknown and try to learn from the multitude of perspectives that exist in our world today. The only thing we can pass on to the future generations when we die is the knowledge we've acquired in this lifetime. Rant complete.