Racial Encounter Journal

Lilian Maciel

University of Houston-Downtown

Professor Winkler

May 3, 2020

Racial Encounter Journal

Racial Encounter #1

The racial encounter occurred on January 5, 2019. I was leaving the grocery store when I heard

some yelling coming from the parking lot. It was a white woman talking over the phone with the

police, saying that some “black lady” hit her car in the parking lot of the grocery store, with a

rented car. First of all, she took the conclusion that the African American lady was in a rented car

because of the paper tag attached to her keys. Which the African American lady started to scream

“It’s not a rental car, that is my brand-new car and these are my brand-new keys! And you were

the one that hit my car!!! The Police arrived and gave a chance to each lady to explain themselves.

As I was getting into my car the last thing, I heard was the African American lady asking the White

woman; “Do you think just because I am black, I cannot afford a new car?”.

The Police Officers wanted to make sure that, the situation was not going to turn into something

bigger. Therefore, they were asking the ladies to calm down and that everything would be just fine,

a couple of people decided to stay as witness to what have happened and then the cops asked for

everyone else to move on, by doing what they had to do. I was finally able to get to my and as I

first sat there, it made me think of what have just happened. I do not think that anyone should be

allowed to talk to another person like that, especially when you do not know that person at all.

Worst of all, it made me think that it could have happened to me! I was not born in the United

States and I am afraid of that some people will treat me differently because “I am not like them”

or because “I don’t look like them”. This situation was an act of “racism”, according to the

definition from our book it means; “The systematic subordination of certain racial groups by those

racial groups in power.” (Orbe & Harris, p. 331)

The incident showed clearly that the White, American lady believe that she had power over the

other lady. What is even worst to think about is the fact that, the White American lady felt

completely comfortable to talk to the other lady however she wanted to, like she had the total right

to offend somebody, in front of so many people because the other lady had a different skin color.

Therefore, they could not even communicate with each other because of what they look like on

the outside. I do feel bad for not standing up and helping or doing something to avoid it all.

However, sometimes there is not much that can be done by itself. Because as mention on our book,

we do have a “color-blind society” where, one which racial and ethnic differences are downplayed

or ignored (Orbe & Harris, p. 8). Which makes it really hard for the minority to speak up and

defend themselves.

Racial Encounter #2

The racial encounter occurred on January 11, 2020. I usually go to put gas in my car at HEB.

However, on that day I had to stop at a Valero and went inside to get an energy drink. The moment

I walked in I was greeted in Spanish; “Hola!” and I just smiled and kept walking trying to do my

thing. When I went to the register to pay for my purchase, the lady was talking in Spanish really

fast and she saw that I looked confused. And then, she asked me in English; “Where are you from?”

and I said: I am from Brazil! I speak Portuguese! She apologized and said you have such dark hair,

that I thought you were from Mexico. In my head I was already asking myself, so no one else in

the world is allowed to have dark hair? Just Mexico? The most comic part of it all, it is that I have

light brown hair! It came to my attention that after taking this class, that the lady’s act was a

“stereotype”. Which, according to our book “it functions as a barrier to the development of positive

interracial relationships” (Orbe & Harris, p. 204). I certainly was annoyed by the situation, which

it happens frequently. People will stereotype me by the color of my eyes or hair and it does makes

me feel uncomfortable.

Racial Encounter #3

The racial encounter was on February 12, 2020. I have to say that I enjoy having conversations

with male more than females because, males are straight forward with their conversation. At work,

on that day, one of the white American ladies had started a conversation in the group. She started

talking about her hard time in doing school and work at same time. The deeper that she got into

the conversation, another girl that had an accent, came along making comments about it, like she

was going through the same time. As me and a male in the group looked at each other like she was

not making any sense, because the girl making the comments still live with her parents that are

financially stable. We also knew that the new girl, making the comments dropped out of college

because in fact “she does not need to go”.

However, since she was new at our job, it looked like she was trying to make friendship with the

people that stands out the most, and the lady talking about her hard time was one of them. It seems

the new girl, making the comments had done “convergence” thorough her acts, which according

to our book it means that, “as a strategy that individuals use to adapt their communication to

become more like the other person” (Orbe & Harris, p. 142). The male in our group from work,

took the girl that was making the comments aside afterwards the conversation and told her that she

did not have to make things up to feel welcome and make new friends.

Racial Encounter #4

The racial encounter was on February 25, 2020. I was in Downtown, Houston-TX having brunch,

celebrating my birthday. All of my friends were female, half of them are African American and

half Latin or Hispanics. We were in line, like everyone else trying to make our order and this white

American lady that was behind us, was upset because we were there, until she came up to us and

asked if she could go in front of us since she was by herself and we said; okay, go ahead.

However, we were there first and we were politely just waiting like everyone else in line. I would

say that she was using the “individualism” theory shown in our book, which “refers to cultural

values that emphasize the individual identity, rights and needs over the collective identity, rights,

and needs of the larger group” (Orbe & Harris, p. 254). Which people that follow this concept,

usually are more self-centered and ego-based, these people basically always think of themselves

first, without thinking too much of other people around them.

Racial Encounter #5

The racial encounter was on January 25, 2020. At one of my jobs there are people from all over

the world and we do get along really well. However, one day some of the Hispanic people from

back of the house were playing some old Hispanic music and the only British person in the building

said; This is America, no more Spanish songs! At first, we could not tell if he was joking or not,

because he has such dry sarcasm. Of course, either way I felt bad for the kitchen people because

they are always so hard working and they were minding their own business. I ended up replying

to the British guy, which I am also friends with and I said; This is a free country and they can listen

to whatever they want, in fact any of us can listen to any kind of music we want to!

 

The act of living in America and sometimes listening to your country’s music and still have some

of the culture of where you were born is called “transnationalism” which according to our book

“it captures the experience of today’s immigrants who, instead of abandoning their old identities

and assimilating, choose to simultaneously live in two (or more) cultures and construct bicultural

identities”.

Just like me and some many people I know miss some aspects of our countries, which does not

mean that we do not like what America has to offer, otherwise we would not be living here

anyways.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

References

Orbe, M. P., & Harris, T. M. (2015). Interracial communication: Theory into practice (3rd ed.).

Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

COMM 3313

Racial Encounters Journal

You are asked to report on 5 “racial encounters” in which you have been a part or observed.
Each entry should include the date, demographics of individuals in the encounter (e.g., name,
age, race, sex), the race issue observed, details about the encounter, the verbal and nonverbal
behaviors that affected the encounter, the perceived relevance of race to the encounter, the
student’s role in the encounter, how the issue was addressed or resolved, and a personal analysis
of the encounter. The personal analysis should include a direct discussion of how the interaction
connects to course concepts. Be sure to cite relevant concepts from your textbook and address
the following questions: What is the relevance of race to this encounter? How does this
interaction connect to course concepts?

Each encounter is worth 10 points and the entire journal is worth a total of 50 points for
the course. Journal entries will be graded using the grading rubric below. Please refer to the
course calendar for the assignment due date.

Racial Encounters Journal Grading Rubric
Above Expectations
9-10 points

Meets Expectations
7-8.5 points

Below Expectations
0-6 points

Racial Thoughtful, well-developed Thoughtful description Description and/or
Encounter description and analysis of

racial encounter. Entry
provides relevant details,
including the date,
demographics of individuals
in the encounter (e.g., name,
age, race, sex), the race
issue observed, details about
the encounter, the verbal
and nonverbal behaviors
that affected the encounter,
the perceived relevance of
race to the encounter, the
student’s role in the
encounter, how the issue
was addressed or resolved,
and a personal analysis of
the encounter. Demonstrates
understanding of course
concepts. Relates directly to
textbook and/or lecture
materials. Evidence of
critical thought. There are
no errors with grammar,
spelling, or punctuation.

and analysis of the racial
encounter but may be
unclear or incomplete in
some minor way.
Demonstrates clear
understanding of course
concept(s) but does not
directly relate to
textbook and/or lecture
materials or more
thoughtful elaboration
needed. There may be
some minor grammar,
spelling, or punctuation
errors.

analysis needs work and is
lacking enough detail or
explanation. Difficult to
understand or needs more
thought. Does not
demonstrate
understanding nor relate
directly to the textbook or
lecture materials. There
are multiple grammar,
spelling, and/or
punctuation errors.