Most Important Sentence - January

While reading chapter Chapter 3 of Communication, A Critical/Cultural Introduction, One passage really stuck out to me in it's importance, not only for comprehension of the chapter's material but also on a broader cultural and societal level. In the beginning of the chapter Ghandi is quoted. The quote is as follows, "If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world towards him" (pg. 40).

The reason this quote is so important to me is because I believe this is the basis and foundation for all advocacy. If we are advocating for change, or demanding others change their behavior, but are guilty ourselves of similar, the same, or worse behavior, than that makes our arguments invalid. It is important to understand that change is effected by people, and as person changes their behavior, and becomes more mindful, and empathetic this behavior will spread to others. In order to do this the book explains that we must look deeply, and thoughtfully into ourselves, and others, as well as examine our privilege, then we we able to identify ways to take action and effect change.

Ghandi understood that change comes from within, and as we change our behaviors in more meaningful ways, and advocate these changes, the world will follow suit.