You should only speak when you know what you are talking about? You are not a professional on this matter, this is not a cooking class so know your place. In your box, woman!
Does that sound familiar in any way? Maybe not. In this day and age, for many of us at least, this type of thinking was eradicated a long time ago. There was actually an etiquette book from the 1800s my mother had a copy of that said women should not speak unless spoken to. And also suggested that before they speak anywhere they should write down their ideas beforehand, as women are not intelligent enough to speak directly without getting flustered. If you had met my mother, you would laugh at the irony of her owning that book.
This post isn't about feminism though or women's rights or how far the world has come. Because it hasn't come very far at all. We still live in a time where if people consider you uneducated on a topic, you should not speak up about it. A good case in point would be racism.
For many, white people are not allowed or even get attacked for speaking about racism as they have not experienced it themselves. Umm, excluding someone from participation because of their colour is what exactly?
Not only is the hypocrisy lost on many, the stupidity of the exclusion is at another level. How exactly do they plan on 'ending racism' if those they suspect of being the racists are not welcome to take part in the discussions?
What they are actually doing is becoming conversation dictators who hijack discussions and punish and reduce those that do not abide by their rules. Who is punishable? Anyone who is not them. There is an ism in there somewhere I am sure.
Why do we think that if we feel that someone in not qualified enough, they should not speak on certain topics? What makes us think that the 'unqualified' cannot add value to a conversation especially before we have heard their words? What makes as think that we know who is qualified at all? Assumptions are dangerous as they say.
For me, I talk wide as I am not interested in a part of the world, I am interested in it all. This means venturing into areas I am uncomfortable with my level of knowledge, uncertain about how to approach it and unsure how it will be received. But, in I go anyway.
It is a risk to speak up in uncomfortable areas and it is a risk that we all should encourage. Is it always beneficial for the 'experts'? No. Can it be beneficial for others? Yes. Talking about things is how we find our gaps and discussing them is how we can fill them quickly and build understanding. Telling people to stay in their box does not help anyone.
For some, maybe this post is uncomfortable, perhaps the opening sentences made you feel angry or disturbed in some way or perhaps you secretly wish that the world was like that again. Bigots come in all forms, all colours and all levels of intelligence.
The only way to end racism, sexism or any of the other isms is good, clear, open discussion between all parties involved. And since all parties involve are all of us, we all should be given the chance to speak if we choose, uncensored.
Freedom of speech will likely cause some emotional discomfort. You don't have to like what people say, but it won't hurt to listen unless you let it. Words are just sounds until you give them meaning.
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
By the way, that is our kitchen in the picture. It is not normally so neat.
