--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we are afraid of talking about…" description: "\"When we are afraid of talking about important topics, we don't do anything to improve life for Canadian women.\" — Leslyn Lewis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/leslyn-lewis-6131_anything_when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-impo_1654420.jpg" --- # When we are afraid of talking about important topics, we… ![“When we are afraid of talking about important topics, we don't do anything to improve life for Canadian women.” quote by Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/leslyn-lewis-6131_anything_when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-impo_1654420.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/leslyn-lewis-6131_anything_when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-impo_1654420.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/leslyn-lewis-6131_anything_when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-impo_1654420.jpg) > “When we are afraid of talking about important topics, we don't do anything to improve life for Canadian women.” [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights that fear of discussing women's issues stalls progress for Canadian women. **In simple terms:** Fear of discussing women’s issues hinders progress. Key Takeaway Address taboo topics to improve women’s lives. Themes gender equality politics social change communication Mood concerned determined urgent Type political activist When to use this quote - parliamentary debates - community workshops - media interviews Key Concepts policy advocacy public discourse empowerment Questions to Reflect On - What conversations are being avoided in your community? - How can we create safe spaces for these discussions? A Different Perspective Avoiding difficult topics can perpetuate inequality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) [Afraid Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-talking-401077/) [Anything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anything/) [Canadian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canadian/) [Canadian Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canadian-women-688498/) [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Canadian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-canadian-688500/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Talking Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking-important-688499/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) ## Related quotes > [The thing about Canadian women is that they seem less likely to bring up that they're Canadian. You here less about Canadian actresses than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-milligan/the-thing-about-canadian-women-is-that-they-seem-less-likely-to-bring/) [Dustin Milligan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-milligan/) > [Canada is destined to be one of the great nations of the world and Canadian women must be ready for citizenship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nellie-l-mcclung/canada-is-destined-to-be-one-of-the-great-nations-of-the-world-and/) [Nellie L. McClung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nellie-l-mcclung/) > [Fear. People are afraid of talking about their fears and insecurities. They're afraid of expressing emotion beyond anger, dominance, or power, and they're afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/fear-people-are-afraid-of-talking-about-their-fears-and-insecurities/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [If you come across an American artist right now who has no political opinions or is afraid of talking politics, be very concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/if-you-come-across-an-american-artist-right-now-who-has-no-political/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [“I am AFRAID OF TALKING WITH PEOPLE... MAINLY BECAUSE WORDS LOSE WEIGHT... MAINLY BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T PUT VALUE ON THEM.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/i-am-afraid-of-talking-with-people-mainly-because-words-lose-weight/) [Deyth Banger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deyth-banger/) > [I was not happy with myself as a human being when I was very young - I was afraid of people; I was afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/i-was-not-happy-with-myself-as-a-human-being-when-i-was-very-young-i/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [I don't get afraid in talking about subject matter that may spark controversy, and I'm not afraid to not be liked. I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jada-pinkett-smith/i-don-t-get-afraid-in-talking-about-subject-matter-that-may-spark/) [Jada Pinkett Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jada-pinkett-smith/) > [The people who are afraid of talking to press are people who have something to hide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-zimmern/the-people-who-are-afraid-of-talking-to-press-are-people-who-have/) [Andrew Zimmern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-zimmern/) > [I think talking's important. I think aspirations are critical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-think-talking-s-important-i-think-aspirations-are-critical/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Talking is so important. Talking to our children about how they're doing and how they're feeling and also thinking of ways big and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-germanotta/talking-is-so-important-talking-to-our-children-about-how-they-re/) [Cynthia Germanotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-germanotta/) > [“I have. I’m going to tell him I fell in love with you in the most unexpected, ordinary way. That one phone conversation turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-booth/i-have-i-m-going-to-tell-him-i-fell-in-love-with-you-in-the-most/) [Ainsley Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-booth/) > [I'm definitely not the kind of person who wants to push anything down anyone's throat, so I don't really mind what the outcome of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samira-wiley/i-m-definitely-not-the-kind-of-person-who-wants-to-push-anything-down/) [Samira Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samira-wiley/) > [People have become afraid of love because in love also, death penetrates. If two lovers are sitting side by side in deep love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/people-have-become-afraid-of-love-because-in-love-also-death/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [When you take forever to text back it makes me think that you are talking to someone more important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-take-forever-to-text-back-it-makes-me-think-that-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't for heaven's sake, be afraid of talking nonsense! But you must pay attention to your nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-wittgenstein/don-t-for-heaven-s-sake-be-afraid-of-talking-nonsense-but-you-must/) [Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) ## More by Leslyn Lewis > [To focus on what makes us different, whether that's race, gender or religion, rather than what we have in common, has never served to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/to-focus-on-what-makes-us-different-whether-that-s-race-gender-or/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [When the media and even people within our own party treat minorities as a single voting block, it is a shocking display of identity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/when-the-media-and-even-people-within-our-own-party-treat-minorities/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [Haldimand-Norfolk is a beautiful place with the most amazing, hard-working people. It would be an absolute honour to represent them and fight to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/haldimand-norfolk-is-a-beautiful-place-with-the-most-amazing-hard/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [I support democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/i-support-democracy/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [It's not controversial to say that private donors come with private interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/it-s-not-controversial-to-say-that-private-donors-come-with-private/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [I believe that the issue of climate change is very complicated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/i-believe-that-the-issue-of-climate-change-is-very-complicated/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [Canadians should be free to make the financial decisions that they believe are best for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/canadians-should-be-free-to-make-the-financial-decisions-that-they/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [The government must not interfere with the rights of loving parents to raise their children in accordance with their own values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/the-government-must-not-interfere-with-the-rights-of-loving-parents/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [Canadians feel very passionately about our healthcare system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/canadians-feel-very-passionately-about-our-healthcare-system/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [There is much to learn from discovering that one is wrong or right about any particular subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/there-is-much-to-learn-from-discovering-that-one-is-wrong-or-right/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [The goal of party unity and national unity was the primary reason that I decided to run for the leader of the Conservative Party…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/the-goal-of-party-unity-and-national-unity-was-the-primary-reason/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [My family was inherently conservative in their values, in their belief system and how they conducted themselves from a fiscal and financial perspective, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/my-family-was-inherently-conservative-in-their-values-in-their-belief/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [Ever since Justin Trudeau tried to grant himself king-like powers at the beginning of the COVID crisis, what we have been witnessing in Canada…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/ever-since-justin-trudeau-tried-to-grant-himself-king-like-powers-at/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have created an environment that has undermined our institutions for political gains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/justin-trudeau-and-the-liberals-have-created-an-environment-that-has/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [I believe that the Conservative Party should remain the last big-tent party, where people are free to hold divergent beliefs that are entrenched in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/i-believe-that-the-conservative-party-should-remain-the-last-big-tent/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) [Explore all 100 Leslyn Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) [Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When we are afraid of talking about important topics, we don't do anything to improve life for Canadian women.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leslyn Lewis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-important-topics-we-don-t-do/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afraid" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-important-topics-we-don-t-do/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/leslyn-lewis-6131_anything_when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-impo_1654420.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/leslyn-lewis-6131_anything_when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-impo_1654420.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/leslyn-lewis-6131_anything_when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-impo_1654420.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When we are afraid of talking about important topics, we don't do anything to improve life for Canadian women.” — Leslyn Lewis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Leslyn Lewis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When we are afraid of talking...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-important-topics-we-don-t-do/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/when-we-are-afraid-of-talking-about-important-topics-we-don-t-do/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```