On Sunday I caught wind of a trend...wear a safety pin to let folks know that you are a safe and compassionate person, who will step up to be an ally to anyone feeling marginalized by the whirlwind of change we find ourselves in the midst of.
Patented On April 10, 1849, safety pins have been around for a long time. Safety pins are an ingenious solution to temporarily mend a tear, attach two things, hold things together.
Well, give me a sewing metaphor and I'm in!
But, as usual, there are two sides to every story.
*sigh*
Sometimes I just want to crawl in a hole.
But.
That is not going to help anyone. I want to be a helper.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” -Fred Rogers
So, despite the confusion, for now, I will keep wearing my safety pin. I'm a maker, I'm an activist in my own way, I'm a ferocious ally and I try to be a helper.
As long as wearing a safety pin is done hand in hand with concrete action...
What's your take on the safety pin trend?
I think that people are so horrified by the rise of intolerance and hatred that it's important to them to make an outward show of their opposition to it. Maybe even a small sign of dissent is worthwhile. It's not a fashion item though and I really understand the 'slacktivism' charge - I agree with you that it's got to go hand in hand with concrete action.
ReplyDeleteyes. so very many things feel complicated these days. xo
DeleteYou always make me think, Karen. I'm wearing a pin and a friend in town here is making vinyl window safety pin stickers for local businesses and car windows. Ugh, I know it's not enough, but… Doing some volunteer work for a local charity. So occupied with my sister's problems that's all I can manage right now. xo
ReplyDeleteOh Judy, please don't forget self care. It's so important! Sending you love. xo
DeleteThanks Karen xo
DeleteI understand the turmoil you must be feeling. I was surprised and taken aback when a friend of mine launched into a tirade against Hillary . Maybe lots of us have been giving things some serious thought lately.
ReplyDeleteI hope not to offend you but the safety pin thing made me smile. When we were children if you refused to eat all your porridge at breakfast you had to wear a safety pin on your school uniform that day. Weird huh? I like your purpose better.
Oh how funny is that! I love porridge! But yes, there is turmoil here, for sure. xo
DeleteThought you might find this helpful:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.wcwonline.org/easyblog/Thoughts-on-the-safety-pin-to-wear-or-not
Love and light to you!
Hooray! I'm not the only one caught in between! Thanks for sharing this Jamie. xo
DeleteI'm gonna wear mine...
ReplyDelete