Airmen bridge communication gap with MAASC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Multi-Cultural Awareness and Support Committee will host its first membership drive from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, at the community center, formally known as the officers' club.

The free event is open to all active duty, Reserve, Department of Defense civilians and dependents. There will be food tasting from local restaurants, music, games and prizes, and information booths set up by the Air Force Sergeants Association and the Exceptional Airmen Gaining Leadership Experience and Skills council.

"The membership drive is a chance to learn about the committee's intentions, future events and long-term goals," said Staff Sgt. Ayana Hodges, 4th Force Support Squadron member and MAASC president. "It is also an opportunity for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base members to learn about the advantages of joining other professional organizations like AFSA and EAGLES."

The MAASC began in March 2009 by Seymour Johnson Airmen who wanted to become more culturally aware and unite members of the base populous and the local community, Sergeant Hodges said. Throughout her career, Sergeant Hodges noticed people from different backgrounds sometimes having trouble communicating with each other, so she and a group of Airmen decided to do something about it.

"Many people have trouble talking to or approaching people from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds, not by choice, but because they have never been exposed to them before coming into the Air Force," she said. "The MAASC is an avenue for people to learn about each other through fellowship and assisting the local community."

The MAASC is different from other observance committees or professional organizations since their focus is primarily on year-round recognition of every ethnicity and culture. From Irish to Australian heritage, the MAASC celebrates and acknowledges all faces, races and colors.

Becoming more culturally aware also helps people grow career wise, said Senior Airman Jan Fernandez, MAASC secretary, co-founder and member of the 4th Civil Engineering Squadron.

"Working with people who come from different areas of the world can be difficult when (we) do not know how to effectively communicate with each other or (don't) know what terms or words can be offensive," he said. "Taking the time to learn about someone's background or just them as a person can break down a lot of barriers and make it easier to accomplish our mission."

When someone enters the military, customs and courtesies are one of the first things they learn. Not knowing how to properly address someone in a foreign nation can adversely affect the relationship between that country and the U.S. military, since all Airmen are ambassadors for the Air Force.

The MAASC also reaches out to area schools in hopes of inspiring creativity and imagination. At the membership drive, the committee will present a check to Rosewood Elementary School's art and music programs.

Anyone with access to the base is welcome to attend the membership drive. For more information about the MAASC or its event, call the 4th Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity Office at (919) 722-1183.