In this example, I didn't read the situation well, so when I suggested something - the suggestion was misaligned with the situation in the room. However, I also realized that my English skills weren't good enough to raise a debate that I found very important. But I also believe that I got into trouble because the people I suggested something to were not receptive to my idea. So, all in all, I entirely screwed up what I considered being a genuinely good and important topic to discuss.
So here we are. I have to improve all of the above issues to get through to that audience! When I write articles like this, I use Grammarly, a tool that suggests correct spelling and tries helping me as a non-English speaking person to express myself better and more accurately. Hopefully, most of what I write comes out understandable, and for those who follow my writings, I know you want to understand me. I need a Grammarly for my live speaking - on camera, at conferences, and apparently when I try to raise an idea to a panel of people!
However, I tried to raise a certain debate because I genuinely realized that we often talk more than we listen - including myself. However, we also fear asking the right and sometimes difficult questions.
If we want freedom of speech, everybody should express themselves without risk. The biggest risk you should face is the counterargument. In countries like China, you can't say what you want, and if you do, you can risk going to jail. Saying something, others don't like or misunderstand because of my limitations mentioned above, I even risk being ridiculed. That happened to me, and I got very upset as my motives were questioned. But how should that person be able to think any different as I apparently couldn't express myself clearly, I misread the situation, and nobody in the group of people knew me. Totally screwed.
I was so angry with myself and was made a fool by the person who talked behind my back. I was mad for several minutes. You recall the situation where your blush, get warm, where your voice is raised, and I even said to myself - I don't want to be part of what I do!
But back to the topic. Do we dare to ask the right, and sometimes, difficult questions? When we talk about gender equality, race, minorities, sexual orientation, politics, all things have a sense of political "correctness" to them - and something that is often personal and something that matters to most? Is that really good for the causes that most people believe are right? Why can't we discuss and disagree without being called a racist, for example? Why can't we openly discuss equality without being seen as an old, overweight, white, mid-age man (all of what applies to me) if you want to raise your voice against the typical political correctness?
And who defines what's right and wrong? I am white. I am raised in a Christian family. I live in a country with long democratic values, but does that give me the right to tell people with a different background what's right or wrong? Is it so that it's only the Christian values and the western way of living we believe is right? With increased globalization, many people travel more, and we tend to adopt what we like of other cultures, and condemn what we don’t like?
I am not sure I dare to raise the questions I believe are important, as I am unfortunately pretty sure that the discussion can never really elevate to being open-minded and open for arguments - I will, however, raise one question and observation that I find important.
Before doing so, I will however refer to an article I wrote years ago. The headline was ‘Men who print,” where the title was intended to be a catch bay for a discussion. The article wasn’t about ‘Men who print,’ but about how difficult it is to discuss minority issues when you don’t feel you belong to a minority yourself. With that said, let me ask you a question.
Do gender quotas support women? I am asking because some countries like Norway, and most likely also Denmark are about to change legislation to demand a certain representation of females in public companies.
When I talk to my daughter (28) and my wife both are of the opinion that they prefer to be judged on their skills, rather than their gender. But I do not live in a country where gender equality is as bad as in other countries and as I am not a woman feeling the challenge of getting the same opportunities I accept that - but I have a right to discuss this, openly, without being bullied or ridiculed!
Another question in the same area. If genders have the same qualities, same educations, same opportunities - and I am not saying it is like this - but in that future - will it then be important which gender position a certain job, position, or?
Two questions that are genuine questions that I believe should be discussed without prejudice - but I expect being bashed - just so you know!
And before you explode, if that’s what you are about to do, please understand I have yet not expressed what I think. I try to raise and elevate the debate and it MUST take place between both genders, all colors, all orientations, etc. If we can’t discuss politics, democracy will die, and that will most likely cause more problems in all the unspoken discussions. I am actually quite sure about that!
Login
New User? Signup
Reset Password
Signup
Existing User? Login here
Login here
Reset Password
Please enter your registered email address. You will recieve a link to reset your password via email.
New User? Signup
Currency Exchange Graph