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Standpoint Influence On Communication

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Standpoint Influence On Communication
Influences of Standpoint on Communication
Introduction
The way I perceive the world stems from various categories that I belong to or am placed in. Acting in ways that suit the characteristics of these categories has impacted my standpoint and will influence my life as I pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I will explore three conditions of difference that have shaped who I am as a communicator. The first difference has been growing up in a rural community. Second, being female has influenced my perspective. Finally, being Caucasian has altered how I interact with others.
My Standpoint as a Communicator
Geography
I grew up in rural Alberta (Fig. 1), which shaped my experiences and values. This is reflected in the ways that I communicate. …show more content…
I am Caucasian and I have always been part of the majority when it comes to racial groups (Fig. 3). This has shaped my standpoint, leading to potential communication benefits and downfalls as a veterinarian. Allen (2007) states that white people “claim not to notice other’s race” due to “invisible privileges of whiteness”. White privilege has spared me from a lot of stress. Most of the time I am communicating with others who are the same race as me and even when I am not, I can freely voice my opinion and be heard (McIntosh,1988). Accordingly, this has influenced how I communicate because I have never been concerned that what I say or think will reflect on the entirety of my race (McIntosh, 1988). I have noticed that I voice my opinion regularly and that I never feel uncomfortable in situations where I am the only white person. White privilege has been advantageous to communication as I can state my expectations, concerns, and questions without fear of judgement, as Caucasians are perceived positively (Bray, 2017). I can communicate clearly and directly which will aid with a career as a veterinarian. Henricks (2013) points out that “race…guides how someone should intuitively interact” with others; therefore, I will not be denied opportunity due to my race (McIntosh, 1988) as I am more likely to communicate with other white people in the professional world. My work will not be seen as unsatisfactory due solely to my race. However, white privilege has also had a negative effect on my communication. When communicating with individuals of other races I am frequently surprised by their perspectives and am biased towards my own perceptions. This leads to “[reinterpreting] the experiences of…subordinate groups” (Govan & Hollins, 2010) to match my internal discourse. Consequently, miscommunication can occur because I am altering what others are telling me. If I continue to act in this way, it may cause
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