Post from Jaclyn Kochis...

The Dimensions of Diversity Alliance met last week on May 6, 2010 at the MPVA Chapter Headquarters in Novi, MI. The meeting was a great success as Mr. Chaka McDonald discussed JVS's W.O.R.C Program which focuses on employment and successful integration of parolees and ex-offenders into the community by assisting them in obtaining the skills and support necessary to enter and compete in the workforce and reduce recidivism.
His presentation was enlightening and it truly did help to change some of the stereotypes I formed regarding prisoner reentry programs.
Funny, huh? Even those who advocate for diversity issues have stereotypes about various things because―well, we are human!
Each and every person has been exposed to other people, media, or other channels of information that have helped to form ideas in our brains that are sometimes not entirely accurate. One of the best lessons I have learned from an old friend was to “never assume anything!”
At the time, I found this little suggestion somewhat annoying because I am the type of person who likes to be a step ahead of things or “on the ball” so to speak. Thus, I find it quite natural to plan ahead for something, anticipate for something to happen, or in some cases assume something before the situation has actually come into fruition. What’s unfortunate about this behavior is that fact that this type of thinking often blocks our ability to see things with a fresh outlook.
Just recently, I was in a checkout line at a department store buying a graduation picture frame. The woman at the cash register asked me the following question, “Do you know someone graduating?” I responded by saying, “Yes, I do. My mom just graduated from college!” She responded pleasantly, but, at the same time surprised. “Oh!” was all she said with a smile.
That’s the thing about the way the human brain works. While her reaction was pretty typical (she more than likely expected me to say that my friend, or my sibling, or my cousin was graduating—not my mom), it demonstrates that we often allow our minds to assume answers that we perceive to be the standard or the “norm” before we even know the actuality of the situation.Today, I am reminded of a quote written by Anne Frank, “We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.” I like that quote because it shows that there is something that is fair to assume about others: we all have an objective to be happy and we are all different― and the differences are what truly make life worth living!