You’ve probably seen them by now, criss-crosses on the backs of your friends’ hands, a crimson blur on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram. And maybe, just maybe, if you’re a cynic like me, you wondered what good does that really do?
I’m not a bandwagon jumper. In fact, I’ll turn tail and run the other way if I sniff a feeding frenzy on any cause that has suddenly become the darling for all the cool kids. Celebrity endorsement makes my eyes roll til they’re practically falling out of my head.
Sometimes I can be stupid that way, making unfair assumptions and being a judgy-mcjerky-judge. When good is being done in this world, do I really need to concern myself with whether or not it’s driven by altruistic motive?
While I’ve missed advance notice, I couldn’t ignore so many of my friends lending their support to the #Enditmovement today. And rather than casting it aside altogether (my knee-jerk response to group think) OR blindly following friends I trust and respect, I decided to dig deeper and find out what all those red X’s mean.
Today is Shine a Light on Slavery Day, an awareness campaign designed to inform our understanding of current-day slavery in our country and beyond her borders. Twenty-seven million men, women and children are in bondage, and it’s happening on our watch.
The problem rivals world hunger and our search for peace, and it’s enough to paralyze all of us to inaction.
But let’s not settle for that, okay? Awareness is an important first step, but the next step is critical: Action—
Let’s all agree to do something…because anything is better than nothing.
Put your money where your mouth is.
Does a red X really matter?
Yes.
OK- So I like this bandwagon.
But this one line here:
I’m not a bandwagon jumper. In fact, I’ll turn tail and run the other way if I sniff a feeding frenzy on any cause that has suddenly become the darling for all the cool kids. Celebrity endorsement makes my eyes roll til they’re practically falling out of my head.
My word.
Me, too.
Lori,
I’m telling you…you and I could be IN REAL LIFE friends if geography was kinder to us :). Looking forward to the day our paths cross in person. xo
See–there are just so many reasons I like you, not the least of which is that you use words like “judgy-mcjerky-judge.”
And, I agree. Way too much bandwagon jumping. But this one needs as much attention as it can get–it’s just too horrific.
You go, girl. You wear an X well.
Nancy,
Know what I’ve been questioning about myself lately? Whether or not I’m critically thinking or just plain being critical. Ouch, when it’s the latter.
I’m thinking through what it means to BE the X…but I want it to be more than a lipstick-painted hand, ya know? So I’m preaching to myself when I say SOMETHING is better than nothing.
THANK YOU for your encouragement!! xo
Oh, my, yes. Critically thinking or just being critical. Huge difference there and something to be considered. Definitely to not want to by judgy-mcjerky-judge!
Thank you for posting this, Robin. I’ve always been of the same mindset. One extreme or the other. Usually the former. Awareness is definitely the start. You can’t address something you don’t know about. But it can’t stop there. This issue has been subtly (or not so) popping up lately. Seems I should pay attention. I’m off to check out your links. Thanks again, my friend.
I’m very critical of others and myself also. I judge without knowing the facts. Guess you could call me “judgy-mcjerky-judge.”
I agree a BIG OLD RED X to mark out slavery is very important! There are Oh so many super important issues to support.
You are a great Christian and I’m proud of you for using your words to support a great cause!
Blessings 🙂