The hum of conversation, the aroma of roasted turkey, the clinking of silverware on porcelain: This is how I remember last year’s Thanksgiving, spent at a dear friend’s home. I relished the inviting ambience until a conversation about the day’s cooking unexpectedly shifted to the topic of gender roles. As a guest caught in this sudden shift, I faced a dilemma: Should I challenge his statement or opt for harmony over discord? For many of us, especially in our current political climate, speaking up in such settings feels risky. Far from preserving peace, holding back our thoughts can leave us more unsettled and unhappy.

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Persons: wistfully