In the digital publication, How To Improve Your Interpersonal Communication Skills, the author identifies 4 different types of listening skills as explained by the communication scholar Stephen B. Lucas in the text The Art of Public Speaking.
Watch the following video Hidden Civil Rights History: Marian Anderson Sings at the Lincoln Memorial:
Identify at least two different types of listening you used in watching the video.
Explain why each type of listening was used. How did each type of listening help you understand the video? Is this video relevant to the current struggle for racial equality? Why? Or Why not?
Full Answer Section
How it Helped: Content listening helped you grasp the historical context and the key events related to Marian Anderson's performance.
- Critical Listening:
- Why Used:Critical listening involves evaluating the information presented and forming your own interpretations. You likely considered:
- The message conveyed by Anderson's song choice ("My Country Tis of Thee")
- The symbolism of her performance at the Lincoln Memorial
- The potential impact on the Civil Rights Movement
How it Helped: Critical listening helped you analyze the video's deeper meaning and connect it to the larger fight for racial equality.
Relevance to the Current Struggle for Racial Equality
The video is relevant to the current struggle for racial equality in a few ways:
- Historical Context:It highlights a historical event that exposed racial discrimination and inspired future generations of civil rights activists. Marian Anderson's story serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equal opportunities.
- Symbolism:The video showcases the power of using one's voice and platform to challenge injustice. It demonstrates how seemingly small acts can contribute to larger movements for social change.
- Continuing Struggles:While progress has been made, racial inequalities persist today. Understanding past struggles can inform current efforts to dismantle systemic racism and achieve true equality.
However, it's also important to consider limitations:
- Focus on Individual Action:The video emphasizes one person's story, which might overshadow broader systemic issues. It's essential to acknowledge the ongoing fight for institutional change alongside individual acts of courage.
- Limited Scope:The video focuses on a specific historical event. It doesn't delve into the complexities of the Civil Rights Movement or the ongoing challenges faced by different racial and ethnic groups today.
Overall, the video offers a valuable historical perspective on the fight for racial equality, reminding us of the importance of speaking out against injustice and the ongoing need for progress.