Week 4

 Taking a step Back

Due to being sick the group had to cancel the focus group with the high school. We did reschedule for the following Wednesday. This was a blessing in disguise because it gave an opportunity to practice more for the focus group. In fact, the young adults in the current group had a chance to answer the questions they will be asking.  This went really well, there was a lot of information given as well as other topics that formed aside from the questions. The group was very engaged and had a lot of great information to share. Some common societal gaps that were prevalent:

                              Language: the meaning of words and phrases

                             Education: How white kids are seen as a victim and kids of colorer seen as the                                                         perpetrator in any heated situation in a classroom.

Week 3

This week was on the more quieter side. The group was working very hard to finish up their stories. I presented to the group an opportunity for them to facilitate a focus group at Casco Bay High school next week. The group voted and were excited to do it. Together we came up with discussion questions to ask the class on helping us to define the cultural gaps in our system. 

Some of the questions they came up with are: 

What do you believe are some gaps in the system?

How has these gaps been shaped throughout America’s history?

What are the gaps or challenges you face?

What are the gaps or challenges your families face? And other people you know?

Are any of these gaps intentional? Why?

How can we (together) bridge those gaps?

Stay tuned for the outcome of this focus group!

Week 2-Lisa

 This week, the group started to write their stories of who they, their experiences and what they want people to know about them.

The group was bigger than last week,  four more young adults joined us. They offered amazing insight and were excited to write their story.

In listening to these very intelligent young adults today, what was evident were the judgments and misconceptions they have to face on a daily basis from teachers, police and other people who come into their lives. Thoughts and experiences were shared of how other people perceptions of them are immediately formed before getting to know who they are as human beings. The group shared that others see them for the color of their skin, the clothes they wear or their sexual preference. People do not take the time to see their ideas, hopes and dreams.

 It is important to be free of misconceptions before knowing a person. It is important to talk about making judgments of others before we really know who they are and what their experiences are. 

As human beings we are programmed to automatically judge a person or size them up.  Everyone does it. Wether it is first meeting someone and assessing what they are wearing, noticing their age,  color of skin or how their voice sounds. 

The theme for today, would be to have awareness of judging others by first appearances before getting to know each other. This week, the group started to write their stories of who they, their experiences and what they want people to know about them.

Week 1- Lisa

This first week of meeting with the group of young adults was filled with excitement and positive energy. Together, we came up with guidelines for the group and also started the writing piece of the project. The group brain stormed ideas of what the writing piece should look like and topics they wanted to include in their stories. 

The group was very engaged in conversation about the differences and similarities between themselves even though they are from the same country. The group also shared having to juggle their culture with in their homes as well as having to conform to American societal expectations. The group ended with wanting to invite more young adults to join in this project.