Photo by KeithBacongco
As I turned the corner of 8th and 140th, I glanced over to watch a mother and her children gathered together, waiting to cross the street. One of the children slipped away, and was no longer connected to the chain of hands. The mother quickly sensed this change, and casually brought her child closer so that he did not step off into the crowded street.
I am not a parent, but I am starting to better understand what parents do, which is to protect their children from any possible harm. When insecurity presents itself, parents will do almost anything to counteract it.
I read newspapers and blogs, and converse with others about the various wars being fought on various fronts throughout the world. An absolute reason for why the human species continues to take life from itself has yet to be discovered. But I have observed that people seek security, and when a lack of it, or even a possible lack of it presents itself, good and bad decisions are made.
Often times, people feel more secure by making others feel insecure. But if I don’t feel secure and I make efforts to ensure that you don’t feel secure, then what…
Mutual insecurity isn’t good for anyone.
If countries, cultures, and networks of people want to increase their security, they are better off making others who share different views and experiences feel similarly secure in them. This does not mean that one needs to agree with the values and/or practices of others, but accept that they do exist, for they cannot be changed by declaring and imposing a so-called “one right way to live” - whatever that may be.
Cars can be dangerous, but dismissing them and not teaching children how to avoid their path when crossing the street is not common practice. The thought of reckless driving can induce a sense of insecurity. It is through modeling and teaching that these insecurities are reduced. Rejecting that which is different and that which makes one feel insecure may work from time to time, but in the long run, mutual insecurity causes precarious situations.
Jason Simon
think open, think different
