Nonviolent Communication Towards the Transgenders

Nonviolent Communication:

Each seminar and online course will cover a wide range of topics. On November 19, 2020, I had the opportunity to enroll in an online course offered by my university. The Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in New Delhi and the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) jointly collaborated on a nonviolent communication online certificate course. Nonviolent communication was a new concept for me to learn. I completed the online course and received a certificate for my participation. Even though I had been introduced to nonviolent communication in various ways since childhood, I had no idea what it meant. Let's try to clear things up a little. 

Violent communication is a process that restricts liberty, ignores needs, diminishes a person's worth, and prevents compassion. The use of deceptive or coercive language that causes fear, guilt, shame, gratitude, responsibility, duty, obligation, punishment, and/or reward is often the cause of violent communication. On the other hand, Nonviolent Communication encourages equity, increases awareness of the relationship between feelings and needs, and fosters compassion. Nonviolent communication proposes that contributing to our own and others' well-being is a fundamental human need.

Our culture is greatly influenced by communication. Everything from the creation of love between people to war is affected by communication processes. Nonviolent communication, in particular, has a significant role to play in the communication system. Nonviolent communication has an effect on people at all levels of society. Violent communication affects all, including adolescents, women, men, the elderly, and even transgenders.

Three examples of violent/nonviolent communication:

As we have already been introduced to what non-violent or violent communication is, few examples would be able to make our understanding more vibrant.

First and foremost, let us discuss the family perspective. A Transgender never receives the respect he deserves from his family in the social sense of our country. His family has suspected him of abusive communication in different forms since he became enlightened. He is constantly despised. He's considered a curse on the family. He is referred to as the crop of sin, and he is told that it is a source of increasing shame for the family. Unfortunately, Transgender has been subjected to extreme physical and human violence since childhood.

Secondly, Transgenders' are neglected in the field of education. Although many people talk about the Transgenders' basic needs in this country, no one is willing to provide them. Everyone points their finger to demonstrate them separate and differentiate from others. As a result, the Transgenders are unable to thrive in their respective educational institutions in the majority of cases. Following an untimely wind, they end up without proper schooling. As a result, a large population of the country remains uneducated or semi-educated. 

The following example demonstrates how an uneducated or semi-educated Transgender community stances a threat to society. The majority of Transgenders are unable to complete their schooling. As a result, finding work for them is extremely difficult. Furthermore, most people do not want to hire uneducated or semi-educated people of third genders. As a result, they adapt to shady methods of earning their living. Extortion, burglary, robbery, and murder are only a few examples. Furthermore, common people from all walks of life are victims of their extortion. As a consequence, they happen to be a significant risk to our society.

Explain how nonviolent communication impacts our daily life:

Nonviolent communication is a method of communication that is free of violence. Even in difficult circumstances or conflicts, it is important to use nonviolent tactics. It also includes how we can apply it in our interpersonal relationships, whether in our families, among friends, in our workplaces, or in society at large. We'll discuss how we can use nonviolent communication in our everyday lives and how it can make a difference. The challenge is to figure out how we can contribute to a nonviolent communication ecosystem in our communities, organizations, and societies as individuals or as groups.

If we follow Gandhi's five pillars of nonviolence, we will be more likely to avoid conflicts and promote positivity in our lives. Respect for all, including nature, understanding, acceptance, positive appreciation, and compassion are the five pillars.

Negative thoughts make it difficult to concentrate and deplete our resources. Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of an individual, ourselves, or a situation, we should practice seeing the bright side. The practice of expressing appreciation is an important part of nonviolent communication that helps us combat negative thoughts. The more appreciation we practice, the more positive energy we can produce. We will be able to constructively handle and control our negative and destructive feelings as nonviolent communicators, allowing us to channel positive energies.

Anger is a negative emotion that we all experience. We may become defensive and rigid when we are upset. We can also lose our ability to solve problems and our sense of justice. Nonviolent communication will help us be more compassionate and positive in our anger management so that we can handle our frustration constructively, we can practice empathy, compassion, kindness, and appreciation.

The way we communicate is critical to how we manage conflicts; it is essential for both conflict prevention and resolution. We may have disagreements with various people in our lives, including family members, acquaintances, coworkers, and others. Making nonviolent communication a regular activity provides a valuable method for resolving conflicts without being combative. It will assist us in shifting our negative view of the conflict to a more optimistic one. It will also instill in us the belief that the end aim of any conflict should be to foster emotional bridge-building and relationship strengthening.

The promotion of pro-social activity is an important outcome of nonviolent communication. Nonviolent communication primarily aids in the development of relationships and the construction of emotional bridges. Volunteering would be easier if you are a nonviolent communicator. We can appreciate the needs and sufferings of others when we are empathetic and compassionate. Good communication is just as vital as good food and fresh air when it comes to stress relievers. We can produce positive energy by encouraging the habit of positive appreciation.

Inadequate communication, trust, and debate are major causes of modern-day conflict, crime, hate, and exploitation. At all stages, a lack of communication breeds a lack of shared understanding. We must change people's hearts and minds to change them. Sincere communication is the only way to promote the human revolution movement. The spirit and the intellect are combined in the power of communication. Promoting substantive communications is therefore not only important but also a pressing need for social unity and cohesion.

In any organization, there will be disagreements and disputes. The question is whether we can cope constructively or destructively with such disparities or conflicts. Nonviolent communication has the potential to be a powerful tool for increasing productivity. Our challenge in schools, universities, and every other organization is to keep our team cohesive.

How does it become a life-changing tool for a healthy society?

What our families teach us determines how we develop ourselves. How a person learns from his family determines how he acts. As a result, nonviolent communication has become increasingly relevant in people's lives. Many positive qualities of an individual emerge as we learn nonviolent communication from our families. The care of our families has a long-term effect on those around us. Mental anguish is becoming more prevalent by the day, and as a result, we are hesitant to study or work.

Transgender women have the ability to study in Bangladesh and also on an international level. Breaking down barriers and stepping over discrimination: Tashnuva Anan Shishir (R) and Ho Chi Minh Islam (L). Photo: Google.

Nonviolent communication allows us to have more empathic interactions with one another. It is a widely used approach that is mostly used to prevent disputes and misunderstandings. People can overcome both emotional and logical disputes by practicing nonviolent communication as a society. It has undoubtedly evolved into a life-altering tool for a healthy society.

Tashnuva Anan Shishir reads the news as the 1st Bangladeshi transgender at Baishakhi Television. Photo: Google.

Communication is as important as the food we consume and the air we take in. As the world faces an environmental crisis, we must engage with nature and all other living beings in a nonviolent manner. Nonviolent communication is a medium that ensures that our communication ecosystem stays optimistic and stable even in the most trying of circumstances. Healthy communication is critical for the long-term success of all of our relationships. When we disagree with others, we also become hostile to justify our point of view. We can only get out of such an unhealthy communication ecosystem if we start practicing nonviolent communication in our everyday lives.

At Dhaka Medical College, a volunteer team of transgender people from the Brihannala organization is helping Covid patients. Photo: Google.

To give an example, for those who are transsexual or transgender, if their family is nonviolent with them if they are emotionally or physically discouraged, their lives shift. Their emotional growth takes place as well. They still don't see themselves as a liability to their families or society. They can teach themselves, balancing themselves with all other students, just as they can in the field of education if nonviolent communication is extended to them or they are treated nonviolently. Consequently, they can contribute to the prosperity of our country. Tashnuva Anan Shishir, a transgender woman, has recently been hired as a news anchor by Baishakhi Television. It sends a message to our community that they, too, are not behind in some way and that, with their abilities and expertise; they can keep up with everyone else. The key reason for bringing him to this location is because of Baisakhi Television's nonviolent communication with him. Furthermore, the Brihannala Transgender organization visits various Dhaka Medical College patients or offers various types of assistance. As a result, the general public's view of Transgenders has changed significantly. Furthermore, several members of the Transgender group supervise the security guards at Bangladesh University. It is through them that positive social change can be achieved. So, if transgender people are not forced to realize that they are not unusual, that they are human beings like everyone else, it can be said that they are treated nonviolently and given emotional support. They are entitled to the same opportunities as anyone else. It is possible to live in peace with all of society's members. In our mental development and social context, nonviolent communication is extremely necessary. As a result, nonviolent communication is indeed a life-changing tool for our culture's stable and healthy society.

Transgender people's spontaneous engagement in numerous social festivals, as well as a victory rally. Photo: Google.