Monday's Opening Thought: December 13, 2021

This week’s opening thought: “I’m set in my ways” is the worst excuse ever for why you’ve decided to maintain being sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, or ableist. “I grew up in a different time” is a close second. Neither statement absolves you of doing and saying hateful and harmful things at work, at home, or in the community. And don’t go blaming the way you grew up, the people you grew up with, or the era you grew up in for your beliefs and behaviors. You don’t get a pass for being older and unwilling to learn and unlearn. Hell, you don’t get a pass for being younger or middle-aged and being reluctant to learn and unlearn either. You have the autonomy to evolve and be a better version of who you are. You’re just choosing not to act on that autonomy.