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Courtney Wallen
Professor Dutill
Case Study #2
10/23/13
Case Study 2
To begin, I agree with Dr. Houston’s opinion regarding an individual truly relating with
another person; without actually knowing what they are going through. Dr. Houston explains that
it’s very common for people to put themselves in the same category or ethnic group, simply by
claiming they have the same feelings or experiences. Yet, what these individuals are saying isn’t
correct. Just because a person is part of a certain ethnic background, doesn’t mean that individual
knows how another person with a different ethnic background is feeling. By constantly trying to
compare and relate to each other, people are “diminishing” one another. It’s important to be
aware of different ethnicities, but it’s essential to truly know a person, before someone tries to
claim they are in the same boat.
Moving on, when reading Dr. Houston’s explanation I couldn’t help but feel extremely
grateful. Finally, someone states the truth. I’m constantly hearing people explain how they know
exactly how another person is feeling, without even going through same situation. For example,
a girl expresses her struggle with competing with her brother’s amazing grades and impressive
soccer skills. Then a male she is talking to explains, how he can completely understand how’s
she’s feeling because he’s seen the movie, “She’s the Man”. Just by making that statement, the
male is completely degrading the female. He has no idea how she truly feels, and furthermore
has never gone through her situation. Yet, he feels by stating that he’s seen a movie, where a
female character went through a struggle he someone how has knowledge of the girls current

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state. This is just one of many cases where individuals make others feel completely worthless,
by stating “they know how they feel”.
On the other hand, I do believe there are certain cases where people can relate to one
another in a good way. Without realizing it, a person can be going through a situation while
another person is going through the same thing. For example, I was taking a class last semester
and was having a tough time with the course material. When we got our first exam back, I
immediately felt shot down. As I looked a crossed the room, I saw lots of happy faces indicating
that they had gotten perfect scores. I thought it must just be me that is lost. To my surprise
however, a boy sitting next to me, was not showing that same expression as the others. It turns
out he was struggling too and was feeling lost just as I was. In this case, and many others people
can relate to each other. It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one suffering, but this is not always
true.
Finally, there are many times where people think they understand a person simply by
watching a film, or knowing someone that has gone through the same situation. However, this is
not accurate. To truly understand a person’s situation, to feel what they are feeling, often times a
person must be going through the same thing. Then, and only then will a person be able to relate
to another individual completely. Even if you haven’t gone through the same thing that a friend
or family member has, there are many ways to let them know you are there, without degrading
their problem. It’s important to show support and love towards people who are struggling. It’s
important to lend a hand. It’s important to talk to that person. Finally, it’s important to listen
without placing judgment, and without taking away from the person’s issue.