One day I would love to hear our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, begin a speech with “I realise we don’t share the same political views, however, I want to say thanks Premier Daniel Andrews for the truly hard work you and your team have done in keeping Victorians as safe as possible. Thanks for constantly deferring to medical advice and not being swayed by ego or party politics. Thanks for stopping the numbers spiralling into complete catastrophe. “

He may choose to add something like, “Whilst I don’t agree with every decision you have made, I recognise that they have been made with the sincerest intent for our community. And that they have paid off in reducing the number of deaths. Let’s discuss the roadmap together, for best possible outcomes for health and economy.”

And this, “I know that when the time is right and we can return to a new normal, or indeed a ‘better normal’, we will all work together to revive the economy and continue to support those hit hardest. We will together restore and replenish the body, heart and soul of our country, building unity of spirit, a strong and equitable economy and a new solution focused, respectful political pathway moving forward, for a more harmonious society.”
I would love to hear that. ❤️❤️

Cheery blessings,

Marg

Margaret Hepworth

Founder The Gandhi Experiment and Global Action Now

Lessons in Non-violent Leadership

www.margarethepworth.com

Author The Gandhi Experiment – Teaching our Teenagers how to become Global Citizens; Collaborative Debating; Clarity in Time

Sir John Monash Award for Inspirational Women’s Leadership 2016

IABCA Community Achievement Excellence Award 2019

Join us in GAN -Global Action Now -on Facebook

Yindyamarra is the Wiradjuri people’s word for respect - a respect for all things that you practice in your daily life.

Several years ago, as the guest speaker at a charitable function, I was told I was a liar.

I had been invited to speak, at a well-known charity driven-social service organisation, on my work in Indigenous studies, with a view to them potentially working alongside a local Indigenous group.

Deep in sharing my research on the Stolen Generations, a time period from 1920-1970s, where it is estimated that over 100,000 indigenous children were taken from their families, a raised voice came from the back of the room. “It’s all lies.”

“Sorry, what?” I paused, very confused. “It’s all lies,” the voice repeated with conviction. I was then informed that “the do-gooders of the south had come up to the north and ruined it for everyone.” The room broke out in a strange rustling rabble, that almost usurped my speech. I continued as best I could.

Interestingly, the so called ‘lies’ I was telling were coming straight from the Australian Government’s “Bringing Them Home” Report – the 1997 Australian Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families.

I cannot begin to tell you the emotions that raced through me that night. I left feeling very wronged, almost as though someone had physically hurt me. Then this thought came: Wow – If I feel this deeply affected by being called a liar on one night, imagine having lived with this every day.
A glimpse of White Privilege began to emerge.

Blessings and Yindyamarra as we all begin to open our eyes together,

Marg

www.margarethepworth.com

Join us at GAN - Global Action Now on Facebook

Recently GAN held the White Privilege - Let’s Unpack It online forum. You can view the recording here

A CALL FOR RESPECTFUL LEADERSHIP

THE DAY I WAS TOLD I WAS A LIAR - UNPACKING WHITE PRIVILEGE