I do, at times, pine for the days when we could all debate and let strong and heated opinions fly around in the hopes that we might move one another to new places in our thinking.  It makes me sad to note that, as a culture, we all seem much more delicate and protective of our own piece of the pie and this hampers our collective efforts to alter the systems in which we work, and push for improvements in the health of the communities we serve. 

When our defenses kick into gear over a statement or a response, it is vitally important to ask ourselves why? and answer that question honestly.  If the answer is only because someone's passionate response came across as rude - look past that to make sure you're not missing important content, and move on!

I, personally, look forward to the debates that are posted on this site because true exchange of ideas if often absent from so many other sectors of our lives.


______________________________
Marie Klaassen
Health Education Consultant
Planning and Policy
Toronto Public Health

e-mail:   [log in to unmask]
fax:       416-338-0921
phone:  416-338-0954

>>> [log in to unmask] 02/05/03 12:26pm >>>
I wonder on this listserv if people confuse "challenges" to the mainstream
way of "doing" health promotion for rudeness.  We all know (or we should)
that health is a highly political and ideological field.  Debate is going to
be charged and heated at times.  This listserv won't advance ideas about
health -- or health for that matter -- without debate.  saying "I don't
disagree with you", or "there is no evidence to support such programs" or
that something is "ideological" is not rude..... it is simply disagreeing
with a dominant paradigm in health promotion.  I read these kinds of
postings as challenging us to listen and pay attention to new evidence which
is showing there are bigger fish to fry than smokers.  that's rude?


----- Original Message -----
From: "Karen Andres" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: February 5, 2003 11:22 AM
Subject: respect on the listserv


> Dennis
> It is important that we feel passionate about our work and our ideas.  I
> agreed with one of the postings that this listserv is not about sternly
and
> tersely chastisng other people's ideas.  By doing so, presents a superior
> type of attitude which is not what this listserv is about.  Health
> promotion and population health is about reducing inequity not increasing
> it.  I think if you strongly disagree with a posting, rather than rudely
> commenting on this listserv, that you keep those kind of comments silent
or
> share them off this listserv.
> I agree that some of the information you post is useful.  The
inappropriate
> and rude comments are unnecessary.  This listserv is used by many people
> and should be a respectful place to post ideas, questions and comments.
At
> times, Dennis, your comments are not respectful at all.  Again, I remind
> you of the concepts of Health Promotion is about social justice and
> reducing social inequity.  This listserv is not your personal sounding
> board of ideas and opinions.   If you cannot be respectful to others in
> your postings, please do not post them in a public forum.
> Karen
>
> Send one line: unsubscribe click4hp to: [log in to unmask] to unsubscribe
> See: http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html to alter your
subscription
>

Send one line: unsubscribe click4hp to: [log in to unmask] to unsubscribe
See: http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html to alter your subscription





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