By Ryan Rose
Assistant Professor of Communication Marathana Prothro educated Bluffton students on the importance of emotional intelligence in the current state of the media. She explained that a lack of emotional intelligence and stability can lead to a likeliness of spreading disinformation.
The Forum, which was the 2023 Civic Engagement Lecture, took place March 28 in a nearly full Yoder Recital Hall. It was the kickoff for this year’s Civic Engagement Day. She began by explaining that the media often puts people at odds with each other. Prothro went on to explain that the messages in media often appeal to emotions in an attempt to fire people up. A lack of emotional stability and intelligence may lead people to be closed minded in their use of messaging and media.
“No matter how well intentioned we are in our attempts at solving problems, we can’t actually make progress unless we understand the problems and unless we understand our roles within those problems,” said Prothro.
A striking moment occurred when she said a slight about Ohio State University aloud in the middle of the speech. Suddenly, students who were previously distracted all appeared to be locked in on what she was saying. This was a perfect example of conversation and messages appealing to our emotions. Prothro was not slighting Ohio State University, she was showing students first-hand how emotional ties and stability play a role in connection. Prothro offered several solutions to students on how to work on their emotional intelligence. One of these solutions was humility.
“One thing said about humility that I find really interesting is that it is about getting it right, not about being right,” said Prothro, citing Brené Brown. “When we are humble we are here to get it right, not to be right. Humility is about helping us have a realistic understanding about stuff.”
Prothro went on to offer more solutions such as curiosity and vulnerability. She explained that curiosity allows people to approach topics with a beginner’s mind leaving them open to new perspectives. When she began explaining vulnerability, students were noticeably engaged. Prothro explained that being vulnerable is not something that is valued in American society, but it does deepen connection because people want to be seen.
“We often learn to confuse vulnerability with weakness,” said Prothro. “When we do that, we officially say feeling equals failure. Feeling does not equal failure, feeling makes you human.”
The solutions she offered students possessed valuable information that directly correlate with the culture of American society today.
“The things she said made a lot of sense,” said Bluffton fist year Will Layfield when asked about the presentation. “I definitely see the examples she gave being true in my own life, and I hope to adopt the traits she explained so I can connect with people better.”
Editor’s note: This article was produced as part of an assignment for MED 225 Writing for the Media. Prothro offered minor copyedits but did not offer any substantive content changes.
