As the church and our on-campus organization evolve in the way they communicate, it is imperative that we address the flaws and miscommunications encountered. According to the Harvard Business Review, virtual miscommunication is very common due to the lack of context. As previously mentioned, a large percentage of our relations are nonverbal and without these cues most of what is shared via the web is dependent on interpretation. For example, when researching the Catholic Student Union and viewing their website some photos were unsettling to the viewer. Below I wil provide an example.
http://fsucatholic.org/
To some, this photo reads as purely innocent and as snapshot of youth having a good time. In contrast, some will feel personally attacked as the people in the bottom right corner are painted black or in "blackface". This offensive practice has its roots in Blackface minstrel shows which were popularized productions that grotesquely displayed African-Americans as stupid, weak and sub-human. These shows were perpetuating stereotypes in the Black community for the entertainment of Whites. Someone who is aware of this historical occurence or is a part of the African American community could react negatively and judge this organization based off of what they communicated.
In addition, there was a lawn display in front if St. Thomas More which is where CSU holds their meetings and student mass. Upon beginning the observation of the church, there was a level of discouragement because there was an anti-abortion lawn display. The display had the number of children aborted in Tallahassee displayed and had little memorial crosses stuck into the ground. In addition, a sign sugeested what the world would be if the Virgin Mary had aborted Jesus. The majority of this display was inappropriate and the display could easily be taken as an attack. Pushing such a controversial viewpoint on pedestrians is disheartening to those who may be liberal, but interested in Catholicism. In contrast, those who are pro-life could feel comforted and accepted by these types of displays because they are in agreeance with their own views.
The fact that all of this is up to the viewer's interpretation leaves room for the audience to be offended, hurt, feel excluded and feel discriminated against.