Wokeism, Victimhood & The Power of Free Speech ?????

This week, we are going to tackle a topic that has sparked a lot of debate recently: wokeism and the power of perception in shaping our reality. As professionals working in a globalised environment, we need to understand not only how language shapes our communication but also how our mindset can influence our interactions.

The material for this week's session comes from an extended interview on The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett, whom you're all familiar with by now. His guest this time is Konstantin Kisin, a comedian and political commentator who explores issues of free speech, wokeism, and modern societal challenges.

Because it's a long interview I have based this topic on the following two sections:

• 12:16 What Is Wokeism? ??
• 16:48 How Victimhood Has Become Self-Harm ??

As Konstantin explains in the interview, "Wokeism" began as a term used by activists to highlight awareness of social inequalities, particularly around race and gender. But over time, it’s evolved and taken on a new, more controversial meaning, often connected to victimhood. It raises questions about how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us.

If we believe the world is against us, it can change how we see everything, even simple things like conversations at work! As proven in one experiment where people thought they were being judged for their looks, our minds can trick us into thinking we’re being treated unfairly.

So, I encourage you to think about how your own perceptions influence your communication and decision-making. Are there areas where you're unconsciously limiting yourself? How can we adopt more empowering mindsets to achieve better outcomes, not just in language but in life?

Questions for Discussion:

1. What do you think it means to be "woke"? Do you think being aware of social inequalities is important in today’s world? Why or why not?
2. How do you feel about the idea of creating a "hierarchy of oppression" based on race, gender, or other factors? Do you think this is a fair way to address inequality?
3. The extract mentions that "wokeism" sometimes focuses more on narratives than facts. Can you think of examples where focusing on narratives can either help or harm social progress?
4. In the experiment about facial scars, people believed they were discriminated against even when they weren't. How do expectations shape the way we experience the world? Have you ever experienced something similar in your own life?
5. Do you agree with the idea that a victim mentality can hold people back from achieving success? Why or why not? How can people overcome challenges without feeling like victims?

See you next Saturday for this topical debate! ??

Best regards, David

Teacher, Founder

Go Interview / MorEnglish

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