Week 13
Making Noise
March 28, 2011
The image above was taken while in Southern California, north of Morro Bay where those interested can often find elephant seals sunbathing on the beach. Interesting creatures. Huge and all piled up next to, sometimes on top of one another, these beach-goers occasionally make their wishes known in the form of honks and yelps, mouths wide open and baring their tonsils (that is, if elephant seals have tonsils...). For some reason, the image brought to mind the idea of speaking up.
I'm a pretty low-key guy. Most people that know me will tell you I'm not generally one to make a big fuss, especially if the only person that's going to be affected is me. Not a commentary on whether it's a good or a bad thing, but it seems to be how I'm wired. I do believe, though, that there are times where speaking up is not only the best way to let people know how you feel about something, but there is a moral obligation to "make noise" as it were.
My point here isn't to dispense my own thoughts on specific issues, but rather to encourage those that may hesitate to speak up in the face of embarassment, shame, or assumed outsiders' perception that there is indeed a time to make noise. Making noise should not be violent or hateful. It should always be respectful, and if possible, kind. It should also be clear, and voiced with the understanding that there will be those who disagree, and they have value as people. Individuals make choices on how to behave, of course, but it's important to distinguish between that person's decisions and the inherent worth that person holds simply by bearing an image of the same creator that formed you and me.
image taken with Canon 5DMII, 70-200 2.8L IS lens, 1/1000 sec. @ f2.8, ISO 400
March 28, 2011
The image above was taken while in Southern California, north of Morro Bay where those interested can often find elephant seals sunbathing on the beach. Interesting creatures. Huge and all piled up next to, sometimes on top of one another, these beach-goers occasionally make their wishes known in the form of honks and yelps, mouths wide open and baring their tonsils (that is, if elephant seals have tonsils...). For some reason, the image brought to mind the idea of speaking up.
I'm a pretty low-key guy. Most people that know me will tell you I'm not generally one to make a big fuss, especially if the only person that's going to be affected is me. Not a commentary on whether it's a good or a bad thing, but it seems to be how I'm wired. I do believe, though, that there are times where speaking up is not only the best way to let people know how you feel about something, but there is a moral obligation to "make noise" as it were.
My point here isn't to dispense my own thoughts on specific issues, but rather to encourage those that may hesitate to speak up in the face of embarassment, shame, or assumed outsiders' perception that there is indeed a time to make noise. Making noise should not be violent or hateful. It should always be respectful, and if possible, kind. It should also be clear, and voiced with the understanding that there will be those who disagree, and they have value as people. Individuals make choices on how to behave, of course, but it's important to distinguish between that person's decisions and the inherent worth that person holds simply by bearing an image of the same creator that formed you and me.
image taken with Canon 5DMII, 70-200 2.8L IS lens, 1/1000 sec. @ f2.8, ISO 400
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