Positive Deviance

     Julio Diaz was just having a normal day. He was on his way home after a long day at work and, sticking with tradition, he was going to his favorite diner to eat. As he was getting of the subway train Diaz was face to face with a mugger. The mugger demanded Diaz give him his wallet, so Diaz handed over his wallet and offered the mugger his coat. In a strange  turn of events, Diaz ended up having dinner with his mugger and ended up getting his wallet back! Julio Diaz performed an act called "positive deviance." This is where you break social norms but in a positive way. So instead of trying to fight back against the mugger Diaz stayed calm and was able to make a connection and turn a negative situation into a positive one for both him, and the mugger.

     After reading this, I was told to commit an act of positive deviance. Obviously I trying to get mugged so I could take my mugger out for a nice meal, but I was kind of stuck on what to do. Then I thought even the smallest gestures can be considered positive deviance. Something as small as complimenting someone's shoes, or giving someone a hug can work. Random acts of kindness can brighten anyone's day, including the person committing the act. I love to compliment people. Seeing their faces light up at such a simple statement can really make their day and change their moods.

     Random acts of kindness are qualified as deviance because they are unexpected, and not the societal norm. Most people just keep to themselves and do what they need to do. But stopping every once in a while to make someone's day is a bit unexpected but always appreciated. Although society says that if you break these social norms, you are a deviant, in these cases being a "deviant" is a good thing. Even though you are going against the norms you are positively influencing the community and making an impact on someone.

-ab(BAE)