What's the value?

"Integrity" - Opal King


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Opal was a really cool guest to have on the show. Firstly, she was one of the most prepared guests I've had on, as she brought a bunch of notes and reference material to help drive the discussion. Secondly, she had a real willingness to discuss topics that normally can be too difficult or sensitive. We touched on cancel culture, the need for acceptance, intergenerational trauma, and what it was like to be Chinese but adopted into an Australian family and culture. 
For Opal, she valued integrity so much because it seemed to be passed down, almost genetically, from her ancestral Chinese background. But there was more to it then just that. She also believed that when you have integrity (a consistent practice of following an ethical or moral compass) it is inevitably going to create tension or conflict. This is because societal values or norms are often fluid and that causes friction with those who remain committed to a consistent set of values. That makes it hard to be consistent. It makes it hard to practice true integrity. And that is why Opal values it so much. The solution to cancel culture and many of the problems we have today, is not to just follow the herd but rather to figure out what you value and stay true to that-- in spite of what the external world tells you (her definition of integrity). 
At the root of this struggle is the human need for acceptance. We follow the herd and we stray from our values, often because we just want to be accepted. Opal had a unique perspective on this as someone who was adopted. She spent much of her childhood grappling between embracing her Chinese heritage and assimilating with western/Australian culture. It was fascinating to hear her talk about that process and how it influenced who she is today. I really hope you all enjoy this one and it helps give some perspective on the challenge of trying to be true to yourself, while also trying to fit in.
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What's the value?By Terry McMullen

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