Paper instructions:
This rubric will be used for grading.
Format of Paper:
Paper length: minimum 4 full pages – maximum 6 full pages. Title page or Reference page is NOT included in page count.
Papers should be in APA format – double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt font, headers, title page, etc.
Within the paper, cite in APA format ANY information that is not an original thought. This applies to the entire paper, but particularly to section 4. You may use your textbook and/or other reliable and valid research sources.
Details of Paper:
Students will choose a place to visit during the fall 2021 semester where they will not feel entirely comfortable, and after they visit, will write a paper describing the experience.The experience should relate to the course topics. Some example choices include:a mosque; a temple (Jewish, Buddhist, etc.); white, black, or Hispanic meeting; a gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) gathering; spending all day without speaking (to experience a disability firsthand); or going through the intake process at a homeless shelter, among others.You must include the following sections in your paper: 1) Introduction—include why you chose this particular experience that you’re writing about as well as the details of when and where it took place, 2) Your thoughts, feelings, apprehensions, and preconceived notions prior to the experience, 3) A detailed description of the experience, including your thoughts and feelings throughout, interactions with others, etc., 4) Any –isms y(e.g., racism, sexism, classism, etc) you noticed or experienced, 5) What you learned from the experience, 6) Conclusion.
Please note, any paper using multiple direct quotations and/or containing a high Unicheck (i.e. plagiarism) score will not receive a satisfactory grade.
Rubric
Out of Comfort Paper Rubric
Out of Comfort Paper Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormat
Correctly utilized APA style. The paper should be double-spaced with one-inch margins on all sides with a font no larger than 12-point. Paper should be organized as instructed in assignment. Paper meets page requirements.
A Visit to a Nursing Home
I have never taken an interest to interact with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. Most of what I know about them is what I have read in books or hearts from other people. Though I was apprehensive, this is one of the reasons I chose to visit Youth First Texas, the only 501(c)3-certified organization in the Dallas area that is exclusively committed to providing opportunities for life skills, leadership development, peer support, and educational advancement to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) youth and their Allied friends. The place is not far from my home, but I had never considered visiting before. Thus, when the opportunity arose, I thought it was the best place to visit. I requested permission from the administration to spend time with the Youth and experience their daily lives and routines. I had purposed to spend a better part of the day and observe what they did and how they interacted with others.
Preconceived Thoughts, Feelings, and Apprehensions
Before the experience, I had some thoughts, feelings, apprehensions, and preconceived notions about the LGBT community. I felt that these people had very complicated sexuality since society esteemed heterosexuality. At some point in my life, I believed that only heterosexuality was the normal sexual preference, and anything else was not allowed in our society. I never understood why people choose to have a relationship with members of their own gender. However, I also became quite sympathetic with some members of the community due to the social pressure to conform. I could only imagine what they felt in a society that viewed them as peculiar people. I thought that society judged them quite harshly. However, through reflective thinking, I also feel that I had similar misgivings regarding the LGBT community. I was also apprehensive about visiting the community because I would not understand their preferences. I even thought they would also perceive my intentions negatively or believe that I would judge them. Honestly, I was not very comfortable with the idea of visiting, but I thought it would be a great learning process since I needed to understand them and see them as part of our society.
Experience
When I visited the LGBT youth center, I learned and experienced what it feels like to be in the same society with individuals who identify themselves as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. By observing the Youth and those who empower them, I discovered that they are treated as any other member of our community. I realized the need to look at the decision as part of the necessary empowerment for the Youth who are a part of society. They do have someone to give them hope for the future and the necessary skills to earn a living for their future. Being the only 501(c)3-certified organization in our community, I appreciated the opportunity to have them in an environment devoid of discrimination. I also learned a new perspective that improved my respect for people I considered different and even queer. Society should create a space for everyone regardless of diversity because they contribute to well-being. I no longer feel like the Youth are any different from the heterosexual members of our society. I concluded that we have labelled and mistreated some of these young people instead of understanding and appreciating them.
Sexism
The type of –ism I noticed and experienced during the visit was sexism. Sexism is a common challenge in our community, especially targeted to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. The idea is that heterosexuality is the mainstream sexuality in society, and any other is queer and unacceptable. As a result, discrimination is common within our society, where people who come out are treated negatively and even violently in some areas. As a result, sexism is common within such settings that esteem heterosexuality and abhor homosexuality. I realized that society has many negative connotations, primarily due to the alarmist ideas propagated within society. The negative portrayals in the media, mainly, have led to the risk of the ‘double stigma’ of homosexuality, especially among women. They already experience gender inequality, and homosexuality makes their situation worse. Youth First Texas plays a key role in our society in eradicating sexism and ensuring that the LGBT youth are well-accepted and given a chance to advance. Thus, although homosexuality-related stigma remains a common barrier to provide quality life to the Youth, the center has made considerable strides in helping them to overcome the limitations.
Lessons
I learned numerous lessons from experience. First, I discovered and understood the LGBT community differently from what I believed before visiting Youth First Texas. I learned that these people suffer considerably due to the discrimination in a society that denies them a chance to succeed in life. They are a part of society and experience diversity just like any other group. As a result, I learned that these people need a lot of understanding and appreciation. It is necessary to show love and care to people who experience diversity and might appear different from others. I also learned that the relatives of LGBT youth should be prepared to support and empower them to improve themselves. The center has played a critical role to make great leaders from these marginalized Youth. They have also educated society about the need to accept all members regardless of diversity. I was grateful for visiting the center since I gained new insights into how to live in a diverse society. Generally, society should understand the LGBT community and ensure that they are welcome in all areas of society, including education and the workplace. Everyone in our society deserves a chance to succeed in life, sexual preferences notwithstanding.
Conclusion
The decision to visit Youth First turned out to be a great learning experience since the youth getting help and support there are essential to society. Learning from experience is critical since it eradicates preconceived notions, some of which are wrong. I learned through experience what it is like to empower LGBT Youth to become great leaders in society. Leaders in the center have a lot of care and support for these young people. They create a safe environment for the LGBT youth to develop skills that can help them succeed in life. The experience has proven that they need compassion from the rest of society. They need peer and social support to give them hope that they can be as successful as other people in society. The experience led to my decision to regularly visit the center o show my support, love, and care for the Youth.
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