I saw a man this morning, or was it midweek? I keep thinking about him.
He wasn’t older than forever, but old enough for today and tomorrow. Mature enough to worry about costumes and conscience.
I was driving to a suburban farmer’s market to pick up a knife I’d left for sharpening.
As I entered the parking lot, the gentleman walked past my car as he was leaving the market.
His face had a familiar quality. Years earlier, at my youngest’s birthday party, he came to the door to pick up his child. At least I think so.
The fellow wrote for a living, which is perhaps why he caught my attention back then.
This time, I recognized him for a much different reason than a birthday celebration.
You’d have, too.
Of course, you might not have realized what caught my attention. Instead, you could have mistaken him for Beetlejuice, as played by Michael Keaton in the 1988 movie (and its 2024 sequel).
What he did was more than I would do, as a man not inclined to portray a historic role on stage or off.
The gent’s unusual form of dress made a statement. If old enough, you’d have recognized his message had nothing to do with popular movies or comedy.
The gentleman was protesting, a principled action based on his own version of right and wrong.
His garb was an alternating white and black striped concentration camp uniform, something that caught your attention and provoked thoughtful consideration. Or did it? If correctly identified, the clothing was a possible trigger for Holocaust survivors, their children, and other relatives.
Still, let’s call him Mr. Good. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, this citizen opposed ICE arrests in Chicago and elsewhere.
Given the publicized abductions of immigrants, such actions are risky, though the protester is not an immigrant or a person of color.
Why did he do something so public, both stirring and personally vulnerable? He gave the reason in the newspaper: “If I didn’t do anything, it would eat me up.”
Acting on our conscience comes with a price. So does rationalization. Each of us employs our defense mechanisms, and we all use several unconsciously.
For most worthy causes, there is a need for witnesses, many to provide support, and for all of us to think about and discuss.
We could analyze this, but I’d rather consider this singular individual as a brave soul in a noble cause.
Self-reflection is a tough job, and not everyone undertakes it. Yet Mr. Good’s unspoken portrayal asks us who we are and what our responsibility is to strangers.
More needs to be done, he implies.
The moment is ripe with urgency. Given that we don’t live forever, I suppose it always is.
Mr. Good must hear the clock.
“If I didn’t do anything, it would eat me up.” I can identify with this comment. How dare we look the other way, simply because a wrong doesn’t involve us personally?
Here’s to you, Pete. Thanks facing an uncomfortable reality. As others have said, fear is contagious, but so is courage.
I give thanks for Mr. Good’s unique way of protesting against immigrant abductions. His reason makes total sense to me: “If I didn’t do anything, it would eat me up.” Silence or indifference is complicity. It makes no sense to me to cut off one’s limbs to preserve one’s skin pigment.
Your response doesn’t surprise me, Rosaliene. I am grateful for what you say, your writing, what you do, and what you stand for. Thank you.
I appreciate your kind remarks, Dr. Stein <3
Thank you…what a beautiful, inspirational post Dr. Stein. Naming the feeling…putting words to growing hopelessness by speaking our truth. I’m feeling the same…the motivation to act and speak up IS for the greater good but I cannot deny the self-preservation aspect as well. 💕
If the world is to prosper despite present challenges, facing one’s responsibility is the first step. Those of us who have children and/or grandchildren know they will live in the conditions that continue after we are gone, whatever they are. Books have been written by the children of parents who capitulated, failed to act, or served proudly under fascists. These adult children wanted the answer to simple questions: “What did you do?” and “Why didn’t you act?” There are small steps to take at little risk in the present moment despite our fears. Thanks, Vicki.
Thank you. Thought provoking and needed.
Much appreciated, Rhonda.
In a current environment where protesters get doxed and punished, many are dissuaded from voicing discontent. Citizens who are willing to make a statement certainly have more freedom to do so than naturalized citizens, and definitely more than people who are still going through the process. We originally were told that the efforts would be directed only towards the illegals, but the reality of removing those going through the legal process, or naturalized citizens being threatened also, has dampened many people’s spirits.
No doubt, Tamara. I think it is helpful to consider all the alternatives, including the lessons of history and those provided by books like 1984. There are actions available currently where the risks are relatively small (such as calling your congressmen and women) and others that provoke the kind of dampening you refer to. Individuals still have choices even in these fraught times. Be well and thank you for your always thoughtful comments.
This vignette of one person standing up for others is so inspiring. Thank you, Dr. Stein!
Thank you, Wynne. Heroes emerge in unexpected places and they are often rare.
I am glad it had impact on you.