It Matters

Written for https://jewishyoungprofessional.wordpress.com/2023/11/15/jyprovocative-question-10-changing-your-mind/

Have you ever changed your mind on a position stance or changed an opinion you previously held? What was the impetus for the change? Was it difficult for you to admit that your views had changed?

Growing up in the seventies, there were many views, which were not accepting of others. Comedians had no filter and could say what they liked without consequence. I remember seeing one at my local entertainment centre. What his jokes were about, I cannot repeat here. They were racist, sexist and everything in between. I never held these views, but I am ashamed to say I would laugh at the jokes.

As a young woman walking past a group of builders, I would get wolf whistled. They meant it to be a compliment, but it always made me feel uncomfortable. If someone was called names in the street, about the colour of their skin, nobody said a word. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist now, but it is better than it was.

My opinion has changed because I no longer tolerate these horrible comments. Life is all the better because we are different. Our lives are richer because we are diverse. I have learnt so much about religion and how our faith interlinks. I am forever aspiring to do better. My children, friends, colleagues; we learn off each other. In the past, it was easier to accept fiction as truth. Now I see it for what it was.

A lack of understanding.