| IPRA Today - Outside the Comfort Zone | Editorial link | www.ilipra.org |
Outside the Comfort Zone
We've all had that uneasy feeling one time or another. Now, put yourself in the shoes of a minority in that same situation. Being a minority may compound the problem, because you not only don't know a single person, but you may not look like or relate to anyone either. So the anxiety and feeling of isolation is a little higher. We had this discussion at a Diversity Task Force meeting. It gave me a better understanding of how a minority person can feel. It helped me to understand when I see a person enter a room with an uncomfortable look on their face, I need to introduce myself and welcome them to the meeting. We all want to feel part of the group. I remember in college I was sitting in my dorm room listening to the Temptations when a large African-American man appeared at my door. He said, "I heard the music and I thought I had found another brother on the floor." He was surprised I was white and liked the Temptations. I invited him in and we talked for about an hour. His name was Billy Williams and he was from Aurora. We shared information, found a common interest and became good friends. I figured by his size he would be a good athlete, so I asked if he wanted to play for our floor’s intramural flag football team. He said he loved football and would be happy to join. At the end of the season, Billy thanked me for inviting him and making him feel welcome. He said he didn’t know anyone when he arrived and now felt part of the group. I laughed and told him I didn’t know anyone either except for my roommate. We helped each other become comfortable with the other guys on the floor by going outside our comfort zone and extending a welcoming hand. In the SSPRPA group, we designate people as greeters at meetings to make new people feel more comfortable. When I first came to the south suburbs, Ron Lorenzo and Jim Dolan made a special effort. Organizations can be perceived as cliques and it is important to prevent that perception. Think about it the next time you attend a meeting. Reach out to someone you don’t know. Make them feel welcome. You might just make a new friend and help someone become an active member. -John Curran IPRA Chairman |
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