Former Cornhusker challenges students to step outside their comfort zones |
| Posted by Administrator on Feb 25 2009 at 4:04 PM |
Photo by Josh Moody
An animated Aaron Davis uses humor to expand on the topic of facing and overcoming challenges. Davis spoke using numerous example of how people can meet and overcome the challenges set before them. Davis emphasized the importance of leaving one's comfort zone to face obstacles. Davis' presentation was sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Loper Programming and Activities Council and the Tribunal Council of African Descent Students.
By Kevin Whetstone
Antelope Staff
Almost 50 students and faculty filed into the Ponderosa Room Feb. 19 to listen to Aaron Davis speak about overcoming limitations and making the right choices in life as part of Black History Month.
"It's Up to You" is a presentation in which Davis uses personal experiences, as well as those of family and friends, to illustrate the importance of looking at life beyond the boundaries race and color have placed in our society and to give people examples of how they can meet and overcome the everyday challenges set before them.
Davis has given his presentation nationally, focusing on what it takes to excel in life and perform like a champion as both an individual and a professional.
He is a member of the 1994 National Championship Nebraska football team, an experience that creates interest in the audience. He is also the president of his own speaking and consulting company, ADP (Aaron Davis Presentations) Inc., and has received the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Minority Owned Business Award for his work.
Davis urges his audiences to overcome obstacles and choose carefully.
"The ability to respond regardless of the situation is essential. We always have a choice to make, and the choices we make define who we are as people. It's up to us as individuals to make a choice and take personal responsibility," Davis said during the presentation.
Davis talked about the importance of making connections regardless of race and color, and how, in order to do so, one must step outside comfort zones and take chances.
"Get outside your comfort zones. Meet different people; find out where they are from, their backgrounds, their likes, their dislikes. Because in reality, people who are different seem difficult," Davis said.
Davis talked in detail about how essential networking is to a successful life. He said in order to be good at that type of communication, a person must be approachable and maintain the ability to communicate well and without restrictions.
To demonstrate this philosophy, at about the midpoint of the presentation, Davis stopped talking and encouraged everyone to move around the room and introduce themselves to at least two people they did not already know and learn something about them.
He then went to a student in the audience and introduced himself, and for a little more than five minutes the room was filled with conversation.
Davis explained that he does this demonstration to get his audience out of their comfort zones and do something they wouldn't normally do.
Davis then discussed stereotypes and prejudices and the adverse effects they have on the communication and networking process.
"Any fool can stereotype because it takes no effort to do it, but when you stereotype someone, you are building a case on faulty evidence. Stereotyping is the easiest way to cheat people out of who they really are," Davis said.
Davis said that simply getting to know another can easily eliminate the stereotypes and prejudices that were once present.
He said, "I want you to, on a daily basis, put away all preconceived notions and just be honest. Curiosity is what its all about. Going up to someone and saying 'I don't understand this about your culture. Can you help me understand?' That's not being racially insensitive; that's just being curious."
To explain why forgiving curious people is important, he cited an experience he had at UNL when he was a freshman.
Another student approached him during a class and asked him how long he had played sports.
Then Davis asked the student why he had the impression that he played sports.
When the student responded with a common stereotypical assumption, 'Because you're black,'
Davis had to rise above the unintentional offense.
"You need to give people a chance to be stupid sometimes," Davis said. He went on to say that he and other student became fast friends, and had he not reacted calmly and recognized the gesture as friendly curiosity, Davis wouldn't have gained a friend.
"There are no excuses for us not bridging these racial and ethnic backgrounds," Davis said. "The way you handle a situation doesn't affect only you. It affects everyone involved in that situation. It also reflects on you, and let's face it ladies and gents, your name is all you've got. Once you've muddied your name, you're done."
