Entering this course i wasn’t really sure what to expect, compared to the typical university courses this one stood out to me since it covered something completely different then the usual and i found the topic to be interesting, after actually experiencing it i realized how interesting it is as we cover topics based on identity and understanding others which not only help shape the way we think of those around us but also sometimes helps me reflect about my own life which i do often thanks to the interactive activities we do at the beginning of each session.

One of the things i learned from the video of ”The danger of a single story” was how it reminded me that not everybody is perceived in the same way i perceive them, everybody has their own stories and i realized that i myself do this without noticing.

Another video that really stood out to me and i really enjoyed watching was the one about how language shapes the way we think, it showed me that language doesnt just describe reality, but it affects how we think and go about our daily lives, the example that stood with me was the one with the Aboriginal tribe in which instead of using Left and right, They used the cardinal directions (North, South, West, East) and this fact alone really amazed me and helped me grasp just how insane of a concept language is.

The Lina Mounzer reading helped me understand how language can diminish the meaning of suffering especially in times of war by using words that don’t correct convey the atrocities going on around us.

Games like Spent and Syrian Refugees were also an amazing game to play since they allowed you to make decision which then led to having to make some tough decisions in real situations which ultimately lead to consequences which you had to deal with, like in spent sometimes even locking you out of the option you desire simply because you made a wrong choice at the very start.

My question is, Can we ever really understand others? since we never actually experience what they went through, i think soliya might help me answer this question by actually interacting with foreigners.

This course helped me notice something about myself that i didn’t really notice before, i never really questioned my first impressions of people and sometimes based on the small interaction i had i would create assumptions on them based on stereotypes and i would do this without really considering it. The idea of the single story made me reflect on how i simplify people based on what i see or hear and made me more aware that i need to stop and think before forming an opinion on somebody. I also realized that my identity typically isn’t fixed, i change depending on who im talking to. In Soliya i think this will affect how i express myself, but it will also help me understand how others see me and how i see them.

I also learned that when dealing with people its important to have empathy and listen, respect should also be present but shouldnt be the main factor. the idea of belonging made me realize that some might feel excluded even if the intention isn’t for that to be the case. I want to become better at truly listening to others and not jump to assumptions. I hope that Soliya helps me become better at communication with people from all around.

I think if a topic like Palestine or conflict in the middle East were to come up everybody might get uncomfortable especially if they share different views. I think the best case would be that instead of trying to prove a point and arguing who is in the right it might be better to listen and try to understand why this individual came to a different conclusion then i did. the most important thing here would be to remain calm and listen carefully while avoiding making quick judgements or corrections, allowing the other person to speak their mind is key.

Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg (Danger of a single Story)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=RKK7wGAYP6k (How language shapes the way we think)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WWyVRo4Uas (Legos and the 4 I’s of oppresion
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32057601 (Syrian Journey)
https://playspent.org/ (Spent)
https://lithub.com/war-in-translation-giving-voice-to-the-women-of-syria/ (Lina Mounzer)