What are some active listening techniques that foster social change and advocacy for marginalized groups?

Active listening is a skill that can help you communicate effectively, empathize with others, and reduce stress. It can also be a powerful tool for social change and advocacy, especially for marginalized groups who often face discrimination, oppression, and injustice. In this article, you will learn some active listening techniques that can foster social change and advocacy for marginalized groups, and how to apply them in different situations.

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1 Why active listening matters

Active listening is more than just hearing what someone says. It involves paying attention, showing interest, reflecting, clarifying, summarizing, and responding. Active listening can help you build rapport, trust, and understanding with others, and avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and biases. Active listening can also help you learn from diverse perspectives, challenge your assumptions, and expand your awareness.

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2 How active listening fosters social change and advocacy

Active listening can foster social change and advocacy for marginalized groups in several ways. First, it can help you acknowledge and validate the experiences, feelings, and needs of marginalized people, and show them respect and support. Second, it can help you educate yourself and others about the issues and challenges that marginalized groups face, and the solutions and actions that they propose. Third, it can help you collaborate and ally with marginalized groups, and amplify their voices and demands.

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3 What active listening techniques to use

There are many active listening techniques that can be employed to foster social change and advocacy for marginalized groups. Open-ended questions, such as "How do you feel about...?", "What are some of the barriers that you face...?", or "What are some of the ways that you cope with...?" can be used to invite elaboration and explanation. Paraphrasing, which is restating what someone said in your own words, allows for accuracy checking. Reflecting, which is mirroring back what someone said or implied, allows for deeper exploration. Lastly, summarizing, which is recapping the main points or themes of what someone said, helps move conversations forward.

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4 When to use active listening

Active listening can be used in many situations to foster social change and advocacy for marginalized groups. For instance, it is important to show empathy and solidarity when listening to a marginalized person's story, testimony, or perspective. Additionally, respect and curiosity should be demonstrated when engaging in a dialogue or debate with a marginalized person or group. Furthermore, interest and involvement should be expressed when participating in a training, workshop, or event that involves marginalized groups. Finally, awareness and commitment should be conveyed when advocating for a cause or issue that affects marginalized groups.

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5 How to practice active listening

Active listening is a skill that requires practice and feedback. To become proficient, you should set a goal before you start listening, eliminate distractions, be present by paying attention to the speaker's words, tone, body language, and emotions, and be responsive with verbal and non-verbal cues. Additionally, ask for feedback after you finish listening to ensure that you understood correctly. Through active listening, you can communicate effectively, empathize with others, reduce stress, and foster social change and advocacy for marginalized groups. It is a powerful tool for making a positive difference in the world.

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Stephan Nna Njeng

Recruiter / Branding and Onboarding Manager at ASM
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Il est capital de même de supprimer toute idée reçue antérieure aux propos de la personne marginalisée. En effet, les biais (jugements de valeurs, une curiosité marquée par le fait de la différence de normes/valeurs par rapport à la personne qui écoute) peuvent nuire à la discussion ainsi tronquer l’écoute active qui, n’en sera déjà plus une. Définissez le terrain: 👉🏼il at vierge, blanches sont les feuilles où l’histoire doit se tenir. 👉🏼Puis, tels les contes pour enfants imaginez-vous devoir penser/représenter son monde dans votre esprit. 👉🏼Dès lors, vous pouvez oublier vos jugements et aider la personne à mieux vous aider à dessiner son monde. Après plusieurs exercices vous serez en bonne route pour être expert en la matière 😎

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some active listening techniques that foster social change and advocacy for marginalized groups?

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1 Why active listening matters

2 How active listening fosters social change and advocacy

3 What active listening techniques to use

4 When to use active listening

5 How to practice active listening

6 Here’s what else to consider

Mindfulness

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What are some active listening techniques that foster social change and advocacy for marginalized groups?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Why active listening matters

2 How active listening fosters social change and advocacy

3 What active listening techniques to use

4 When to use active listening

5 How to practice active listening

6 Here’s what else to consider

Mindfulness

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