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My local nature reserve car park has signs saying 'Leave it on show, expect it to go', with a picture of a bloke with a crow-bar and a car stereo.
I get it. But it's such a shit message.
I drove a van delivering medical equipment for a few years, and once made a dash in (...)
I get it. But it's such a shit message.
I drove a van delivering medical equipment for a few years, and once made a dash in (...)
... a busy delivery area, leaving my van unattended with its window open. While I was delayed indoors someone stole the sat-nav.
It was a place which only other delivery drivers and - ha! - security staff had access to, but of course no-one saw anything.
It was a place which only other delivery drivers and - ha! - security staff had access to, but of course no-one saw anything.
When I got back to base, my boss was palpably disappointed with me, and only just stopped short of calling me stupid. The sentiment was clear: it was my fault for leaving the van so vulnerable.
As obvious as this attitude seems, it makes me wonder how many people see (...)
As obvious as this attitude seems, it makes me wonder how many people see (...)
... opportunistic theft as fair game precisely because of this message of irresponsible ownership. I mean, someone whose life has led them to theft as a means of survival will actively seek these opportunities, but what about ppl who see the world as a competition between (...)
... individuals who would just as readily take advantage of them, too? And what of the blind eyes being turned to such "justified" opportunism?
Now imagine telling someone who was raped that it was what they wore, said, implied, or otherwise invited. See how fucked up that is?
Now imagine telling someone who was raped that it was what they wore, said, implied, or otherwise invited. See how fucked up that is?
We all need to stay safe; we all need to be vigilant. What we don't need is to create an environment which accepts the exceptional as normal, thus implying that violence or theft are in some way to be expected under x conditions.
If we constantly send out the message that people are shit and we shouldn't trust them, then people are going to be shitty and untrustworthy. Why bother being any different? Why trust or be trustworthy?
It's empowering to be self-sufficient, and I hope my son achieves as much; but what if those signs asked everyone to look out for each other? What if pubs, clubs, and parties endorsed an air of mutual care? Not nosiness or meddling; not moralising: kinship.
Rather than asking everyone (the majority) to be insular, self-concerned, and vigilant regarding the actions of those who would do them harm (the minority), why don't we ask everyone to look out for each other? And I mean actively promote it.
Where are those signs?
Where are those signs?
Also - if we create a greater sense of safety and inclusiveness, would it not reduce the amount of cynicism? Yes, there will always be ppl who cannot be trusted, but wouldn't there be fewer? Is our fear not disproportionate?
I know, know: it's more complicated than that. I'm being "naive". But really - do we need signs telling us that cynicism is bigger than trust, mutuality, and our shared humanity?
It's a genuine question...
(End.)
It's a genuine question...
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