Interpersonal
conflict (BenMeowzAllTheTime Version) -REVISED-
In America, conflict has been increasing difficulty
to handle among the young individuals. A survey from a website called
‘PewResearchCenter’ states that, there is a high increase in young people in
conflict situation and one of these many reasons interpersonal conflict happens
is because of racial and religious discrimination. Today I am going to discuss
about a disagreement seen on the internet between a young man, and a U.S soldier
in a convenient store.
This conflict takes place in a convenient store in New Jersey where a soldier
walks up to a Muslim cashier and gets interrupted by a young man saying ‘not to
buy from a Muslim.’ The soldier then giggles, not taking the youngster seriously.
The young man then insisted that the soldier should not buy from the cashier,
which annoyed the soldier. The soldier then asks him what his problem is with
the cashier, and what did the cashier do to receive such a treatment. The young
man ignores the question and implied to the soldier that he was supposed to ‘fight
the Muslim not harmonize with them’. The soldier then raised his voice a
little, telling him that he was fighting for the freedom of the citizens and
freedom of people to believes in whatever religion they want. When the soldier realized the situation was a not a joke, he was quite upset but decided to try
to avoid the conflict. Unfortunately, after the young man’s persistence, the
soldier acted to lecture the young man, starting an argument.
In this scenario, I believe that the soldier had a very calm and well-mannered
response as compared to majority of the common people. The soldier looked tired
in a uniform in, we can assume that he was most likely just let off duty. This
would affect his views of consequences and lead to an argument. His giggle at
the start was most likely a sign of surprise. This is a common reaction for
someone that is surprised about that remark, showing a hint of question if that
remark was serious or just a joke. In the views of the young individual that
gave those comments, he has been influence by the internet and poor cultural
upbringing. It might also be because of a past experienced event that cause a bias of racial
discrimination. This young man had no means of collaborating or
accommodating, instead, he was using a competitive state of means to get his
point through. This is a weak way of handling the situation. Instead, I would
recommend not one but both that should compromise and sit down and talk about
the situation. Compromising, defined by Thomas Keilmann, is being assertive,
but cooperative. Although both parties do not have the same perspective and
views, but could have cooperated and discuss it together in a more neutral
manner.
What would you guys have done if you were the
soldier? As readers, was there any other way to react in this situation?
PS: This is a social experiment, no Muslims were hurt in any point of time
ReplyDeleteCites to see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG6omxJJrw4
http://www.people-press.org/2016/12/08/2-discrimination-and-conflicts-in-u-s-society/
Hi ben Lu,
ReplyDeleteI like how the soldier responded in this scenario. It fits with what we have learnt in emotional intelligence class.
I believe that all humans are inherently racist in one way or another. Of course, I may be wrong but this is how I feel. I believe that this is in built into our anatomy because when humans were first starting out, we live in tribes of our same race. To be racist would be akin to protective our own tribe from invading species or tribes. Therefore this is how I feel about racism. Before you guys judge me, how I feel about racism isn't as simple as it is in us but rather, racism belongs in the past and not the present. With proper upbringing and good emotional intelligence, we are able to put racism aside and live together harmoniously. But not everybody has the same self-regulation as us and may be inclined to think that other races are inferior or beneath them.
Some other ways I would solve this is that I would ignore the guy and continue buying from the muslim man. When ignored the guy may get bored after awhile and stop. What is going on between the muslim man and the guy is their business. In a country as dangerous as the USA, it is definitely much better to walk away
Hello Ben,
ReplyDeleteI think racial conflict is a heavy topic to talk about. Racism in the United States has been a major issue since the colonial era and the slave era. Legally or socially sanctioned privileges and rights were given to white Americans that were not granted to Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic and Latino Americans.
I think if the conflict has raise to the race and religion level is hard to solve already. I admire the way that how the solider handle. He shows the sense of what is right and he know his responsibility as a uniform group.
The only solution I can figure out which is same as you, I will say nothing and leave the place after I purchase my items. It is dangerous to involve a conflict with such people in a country which legalize gun.