For many years as a public speaking coach, I have encouraged people to share their personal stories and open up their lives to strangers. Sometimes this involves deeply emotional and tender subjects that aren’t easy to address but can have a powerful impact in opening eyes and sharing perspective. I have to say, it is much harder to do this in practice than to teach it.
It’s coming up on a year since I wrote the article, “How We Can All Take Responsibility to Avoid Calling the Police,” for Filter magazine. My piece describes alternative practices for people who would rather avoid calling the police in crisis situations, including those that involve drugs or mental health issues, to help prevent escalating the situation and getting someone shot.
Two moments touched me in my identity feels at the airport in Goa: 1) I saw an ad for sunscreen with a very pale woman (at least ten shades lighter than nearly any locals I have encountered since I have been in Southern India) promising to let you enjoy the sun...