In Seattle
people obey the “don’t walk” light at the street corner
even if no cars are coming.
Yes, they just stand there!
It looks bizarre and surreal to see them
standing there
obeying without thinking,
but how many signs do we all obey
without even noticing?
Signs,
symbols,
words,
flags,
facial expressions,
emotions,
thoughts.
Signs only have power over you
if you don’t reflect on them.
Reflect on them and
take your power back.
Maybe...
wearing that cross means
he’s an ally to the poor and oppressed,
or
maybe he’s just exploiting that symbol
so he can exploit you.
Don’t trust a sign.
Meet the substance.
Maybe that flag stands for freedom
or
maybe genocide, slavery, and imperialism
or
maybe all of these and more.
Maybe it’s not so simple.
You see, a sign is a very simple thing
but significance is
precisely
the opposite of simple.
Maybe that look means
the person doesn’t like you
but
maybe they like you a lot
and it makes them nervous
or
maybe you’re irrelevant
and they’ve had a hard day
or
a lifetime of trauma.
All day we react, unaware:
“He looks trustworthy.”
“He looks dangerous.”
“I should…”
“I’m so…”
“I can’t…”
“I’ll just…”
Why did you think that?
What was your sign?
What did you assume?
How many signs do we obey
without even noticing?
(And how many useful signs do we ignore without noticing,
signs that could help us if we were more observant?)
Signs only have power if
you don’t reflect on them.
Notice them,
in the street and in your mind,
and reflect on them.
Take your power back.
Next time you see the “don’t walk” light
and no cars are coming
you can just stand there
or you could cross
or you could roll around in the street
or fall to your knees and sob.
Whatever you do,
first, wake up.