Hello Scholars!
There are many steps one could take in order to increase his or her communication ethics literacy. When I think about enhancing my communication ethics literacy, and applying my education to public and private space(s), I believe it is imperative to have an open mind. Not only to have an open mind, but be willing to engage people with different thoughts, ideas, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Truly, the communication is more than technology. The communication is applying technology, theory, and diversity for an engaging and innovative communication climate. Arnett, Fritz, and Bell (2009) write, “We are no longer in a time of information increase alone, but in an era of responsibility increase as well, a time to learn and engage information that we do not know and would not even care to know,” (Arnett, et al., 2009, p. 220-221). Society today is growing by leaps and bounds, and communication across all sectors help provide clarity in the melting pot called the United States of America.
Communicating Mindfully [COM 616] has taught me to be aware of the information I share in public space. Arnett, et al., (2009) state, ” In an information age, we find others willing to share all sorts of information with the public, making the private seem almost nonexistent,” (p. 101). On social media platforms like Facebook, I find myself analyzing posts from friends; some share everything happening—even vacations. Going on vacation means taking a break from everything; including social media [I think]. At work, I analyze when a co-worker communicates with me; whether by chat, phone, or e-mail . For example, a team lead recently replied to me in CAPS. I immediately thought it was rude and shocked that this individual thought it was OK to write in CAPS.
My personal [family] relationships have improved because I am now aware of certain communication ethics literacy like health care communication ethics, public discourse ethics, and dialogic communication ethics. As a result, I no longer react to situations, but I respond through active listening and attentiveness. For example, a couple of days ago, my mother called me at 3am because she needed to go to the hospital. Arnett, et al., (2009) defines responsiveness as the, “responsibility that meets the call of the Other, even when the call is unwanted,” (p. 192). Although she couldn’t wait for me to drive her to the hospital, she was proud of the way I handled the situation. Even my brother and sister-in-law [love] was pleased of my responsiveness.
Moving forward, I will remember that common sense is in the eye of the beholder [i.e. writing in CAPS], to listen without demand, and attend to the needs of the Other as I continue my efforts to increase my communication ethics literacy.
~Miss. Monét
Reference:
Arnett, R. C., Fritz Harden, J. M., & Bell, L. M. (2009). Communication
ethics literacy: Dialogue and difference. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
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