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Hello Chelsey,
I was very interested to hear your thoughts and in particular how bold you sound in support of what you think. I can't make any comment about the specifics of what was said and done at the event as I was not there but I certainly do, in general terms, recognise many of the points that you made.
In any group of people you will find individuals who seek, by fair means or foul, to influence that group to think as they think and do as they wish them to do. Such manipulation can be quite subtle and pursuasive or can be quite blatant and aggressive (see you reference to 'Bullying') I understand that I come from an unusual background that could well be described as a bit more abrasive and in your face than many others and I happen to think that a lot of this behaviour is inevitable but I am intrigued by your willingness and enthusiasm to point it out and confront it.
Yes, we do seem to have a very British attitude towards not causing upset or offence (at least not openly to peoples faces anyway) maybe that is deeply ingrained or bred into us as children and we would have to conciously 'go outside' of that conditioning to look at when it might be appropriate.
And I have to wholeheartedly agree with your comments about this not being all about the 'young' who are the 'future' etc etc We don't live in the past or the future, we only ever have 'the here and now' and that is relevant to all people of all ages, colours, backgrounds blarr blarr blarr. Older people do have a wider perspective on life and the world around them - not because they are more clever or superior in any way, but just because they have been around longer and had the chance to experience more. (I have done young and hope to do quite a bit of old) and the young can be firey, energetic and enthusiastic to bring a sense of immediacy to what is going on around them. So that is why I am mildly obsessive about intergenerational working and trying to harness what different people at different ages can bring to the table. So please do keep on questioning and querying what is going on. In truth that is just about the only way we learn and develop as individuals and groups of people.
Thanks Chelsea, Sad to hear that during the break the things you mentioned happened, perhaps you can enlarge on what 'the old grievances are' (if you can?)
Hi Owen,
Thanks so much for getting involved in the discussion. In general Wales is a very wonderful place to work.
Index - the organisation who organised the Arts Freedom Wales events filmed the whole thing so hopefully some of this footage will become available or they will provided some form of write up of the topics covered. I know you can see some of the online conversations that happened previously on YouTube. Here's a link to the one featuring young artists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi_sy7O2kME
For me Meltem hit the nail on the head - we are too afraid of causing offense. Often the lines between professional and personal are blurry here, so I can be difficult to retain any kind of professional distance when discussing work.
I'm not sure that any outcomes were reached - we needed a lot more time to filter through the numerous issues raised. So hopefully this discussion will continue and grow.
I'd be really interested to know what the others present would say in response to your question.
Thanks!
Chelsey
Hi Chelsey,
I'm a newcomer to the scene here in Wales, although many of the frustrations you express seem common to numerous regions; I'd be interested to know exactly what you would define as the foremost obstacles present in Welsh cultural life that make free expression difficult - is timidity, manners, cultural cringe or something more deep-rooted?
Intrigued to know what you felt the final outcome of the debate was, besides your own personal reaction.
Best Regards,
Owen
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