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Kellie O'Connor's avatar

Yes excellent point- even like the fact cheating an insurance company, or not paying for one or two groceries at a big supermarket, just drives up the prices for all individuals that use their services. It is all us.

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Bernadette Jiwa's avatar

Yes! Great examples, Kellie. Thanks for reflecting back to me.

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Michael Averill's avatar

Oof. It really does detach the personal human connection by saying "we," or "the company." What kind of shifts do you think would come about from more personal language accountability?

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Bernadette Jiwa's avatar

Great question, Michael! Thank you.

When we change our language, Michael, we have to change our posture. We'd foster a culture of accountability rather that one of blame.

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Michael Averill's avatar

"When we change our language, Michael, we have to change our posture."

That is a good thought to be thinkin' on.

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Virginia Heslinga's avatar

You are100%, accurate, "there is only us." A wonderful leader, John Lewis, said, "We all live in the same house." I also appreciate this quote: “The most important project at this moment in history is to reclaim a social connection to the human persona, to move away from dehumanizing and otherizing in the direction of co-humanizing.” Gudjon Bergmann

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Bernadette Jiwa's avatar

Thanks for sharing these quotes, Virginia. I am sitting with both today. Have you seen any examples of co-humanizing playing out closer to home?

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Virginia Heslinga's avatar

There are many different kinds each day, visiting people who are sick, helping a friend complete a project, supplying meals to people who have none, but most important in this country now are the protests that have millions coming out to decry the way our current administration is ignoring the constitution and eroding democracy. In 157 days more damage has been done to our country internally and in global relationships than most people could have imagined.

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Bernadette Jiwa's avatar

I'm glad you're finding ways to make a difference, Virginia.

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