Let's walk a mile

Diversity is all around us in many ways, shapes, and forms.  It is in our apartments, our dorms, our classes and even on the street.  Diversity can be gender, race, religion, anything that sets us apart from someone else.  Because people are so different from one another stereotypes are very common. Stereotypes are something that can be fixed with conscious thought.  

"Walk a mile in someone else's shoes" is a very common saying that has so much meaning behind it.  When you see someone on the street or in class all you see are their physical qualities.  You don't know what they have been through and the life they have led to get to Iowa State.  No two people's stories are quite the same.  "Everywhere you go and everyone you see, remember that your eyes can be your enemies."  This is a lyric to one of my favorite songs and it is very true.  Just because you interpret a scene one way it doesn't mean that is it the right way.  

Our class with Denise was really eye opening. When we had to describe the pictures of the man and woman things came out that were shocking.  Most of us didn't consider how they looked at themselves but rather how we looked at them.  The best way to change the world is to change yourself.  Changing those first, judgmental thoughts can help keep stereotypes down.  Helping others see that there could be more to a simple situation can also stop stereotypes and diversity.  It's a big deal that with a little help from everyone can be fixed. 

Ethics

This past week Easton and Alex did a great class on Ethics!  I think ethics are very similar to morals in regards to the fact that they tend to differ from person to person.  I also think morals play a key roll in ethics.  When we were all asked to share what ethics meant to us, a range of responses came up.  None of them wrong just each from a different view.

When Alex and Easton split us up in to groups my group got an example of teaching a person who you have unresolved issues with.  We had to come up with a good way and a poor way to handle the situation.  A poor way of handing an issue like that is to avoid it or to continue acting angrily towards that person.  In the position we are in as peer mentors we must put our personal life aside and be there for our students when they need help.    A better way to handle something like that is to leave your feelings at the door and be there for the person regardless of the past.  

Ethics has to do with doing what is right not necessarily what is easiest.  Who are you when people aren't looking?  The answer to that says a lot about you and what you stand for; your morals or your ethics.  Each of us will encounter a time or multiple times in our lives where doing the right thing isn't our first choice but through our experiences in this class and our time at college, we can become better individuals and do what is ethical.

What's to Come?

After reading several other blogs I realize I just don't know what to say.  This week we are working on editing our peer mentor movie.  I am very excited to see the finished product!  We had amazing actors and I have a feeling it is going to be hilarious.  After getting the filming done I am impressed at how well work together as a group.  A lot of us couldn't be there for all of the filming times but there were quite a few people who stepped up and lead our team, it is awesome!  Nice work guys!  


Our video covers many important issues when it comes to being a first year college student.  I hope it helps the incoming freshman feel a little more comfortable about life on campus.  This class helped relieve the stress of being alone for me.  It was never boring and often quite funny.  I think every freshman should have to take a class like Hixson and have the opportunity to make a video just to bond with new people.  I am still finding new perks to having this opportunity!  Once the video is done we will all have something to look back on and remember what a great group of peer mentors we are!