Writing106 Diversity Awareness Artifact: Moving Out of Our Comfort Zones Gateway Event by Jordan Cruz
Jordan started with “life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” She asked myself and my peers how many uncomfortable conversations we have daily. Most people answered with “2-3.” She really emphasized the importance of branching out and not being afraid to be yourself regardless of gender, sexual identity, race, and more that may contribute to a person feeling uncomfortable in a situation. She discussed uncomfortable situations such as relationships, asking for money, talking about conflict or dealing with conflict in general, politics, sexuality, family issues, addiction, and more. Some were highlighted in red such as money, gender, sexuality, race, religion, and politics, which are all categories that people can identify themselves by. Each person has their own unique identity which makes us diverse. She asked us why it is uncomfortable to talk about race. She showed us a TED Talk and it was amazing. The speaker is phenomenal and breeches such an important topic during this talk. “We are obsessed with being comfortable” is what the speaker began with. She says “we don’t talk about race because it makes us uncomfortable.” She does not want to be seen as someone “with a white savior complex” and is “afraid of offending anyone.” She shared a story about her daughter who teaches 1st grade in the Bronx, and a little girl in her class wrote that she wished she was white like the child star JoJo Siwa. “This, is uncomfortable” she says. Her first uncomfortable conversation was with a black professor in college. She asked him “why did my neighborhood change when black people moved in, and why my family move?” She said he answered with poise and gave her a lesson of her own history. She also talks about the importance of black teachers and how students of color perform better at school when they have at least one teacher of color. She brings up a lot of great points. “I realized white people were afraid of black people, but I never knew black people were afraid of white people.” She said she realized that when she became a teacher. I love her honestly and rawness. She discusses the importance of staying real and staying aware. She urges people not be uncomfortable for sticking up for things you believe in, and knowing what is right from what is wrong. Be more open-minded and empathetic, and do not be afraid to put yourself out of your comfort zone.