How To Improve Your Interpersonal Communication Skills
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?
Sample Solution
The video "Hidden Civil Rights History: Marian Anderson Sings at the Lincoln Memorial" can be understood through the lens of at least two different listening styles identified by Stephen B. Lucas:
1. Appreciative Listening:
- Explanation: Appreciative listening focuses on enjoying the aesthetic qualities of the message. It involves paying attention to the emotional impact, music, and overall delivery.
Full Answer Section
- Why Used: In this video, appreciative listening was used to appreciate the power and beauty of Marian Anderson's voice. Focusing on the melody, her emotional delivery, and the significance of the song choices allowed for a deeper connection with the performance and its message.
- How it Helped: Appreciative listening helped capture the emotional weight of the moment. Witnessing the beauty amidst the struggle for racial equality added a powerful layer to understanding the event.
2. Critical Listening:
- Explanation: Critical listening involves analyzing the message for its content, accuracy, and potential biases. The listener evaluates the speaker's purpose and the historical context.
- Why Used: Critical listening was used to understand the historical significance of the event. Paying attention to the narrator's explanation, the segregated audience, and the newsreel footage helped analyze the racial tension of the time.
- How it Helped: Critical listening provided context for the performance. Understanding the fight against segregation at the Constitution Hall added depth to the video's message and its connection to the Civil Rights Movement.
Relevance to Racial Equality:
This video is highly relevant to the current struggle for racial equality.
- Historical Context: It serves as a reminder of the past struggles for racial integration and the ongoing fight against racial injustice. Marian Anderson's performance symbolizes the power of resistance and the importance of using one's voice to challenge discrimination.
- Contemporary Issues: The video highlights the fact that the fight for equality is ongoing. While segregation laws have been abolished, racial disparities and prejudices persist. The video encourages continued efforts to achieve true equality.
However, a counter-argument could be made:
- Limited Scope: The video focuses on a single event, potentially underplaying the complexity of the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing fight for equality.
Overall:
By utilizing both appreciative and critical listening, the video "Hidden Civil Rights History: Marian Anderson Sings at the Lincoln Memorial" offers a powerful message about the fight for racial equality, with historical significance that resonates in the contemporary struggle for justice.