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Black lives matter, how can anyone not know this message?
It is an anti racist movement that is worldwide. But why say ‘Black lives matter’ and not ‘All lives matter’? Is this not a racist message itself? If you scroll through anything at the moment, you will see similar agreement from a hell of a lot of people. Racism appears like hate, classifying by people who literally cannot see past a judgement made about another based solely on an appearance. As everything, it’s more complicated and has many layers. It’s systemic and it’s historic. But humans are contradictory. Everybody is familiar with the names of George Floyd or Rodney King but how many remember the name of Alan Kurdi? His unnecessary death also caused global headlines, a death caused by a failed system. Is there a world caste system that silently determines White – Black – refugee?? Are the huge BLM protests and marches borne of something greater than racism? Disparate people having no positive outlook on life? It’s not about black lives, it’s about how changing the way people understand human dignity. It is actually about humanity. Black people want safety, and they want an equal crack at a life. They have neither, and that’s why Black Lives Matter, matters.
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The human face is extremely expressive, able to convey countless emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.
Many songwriters have told us to smile. We also know that there are a multitude of health benefits that boost our health when we smile. Researchers have even found that people who smile are often perceived as being younger than their actual age. I live in a country where I cannot yet speak the language (I know, it is no excuse, even I am fed up with myself that I have been so lazy). However this is the situation. This means that when I go shopping my human interaction does rely on the facial expressions of people and the tone of their voice. Facemasks, although are probably limiting the spread of the coronavirus, make shopping a totally stale and lifeless environment. When people speak it is more difficult to hear them, and of course it completely takes away any facial reaction let alone a smile. And of course people are scared so our built in protection and survival systems are limiting us to have less interaction with people. We have to keep telling ourselves this time will pass. We have to remember what it is like for the people who don’t have hearing. We have to imagine what it is like for our children who don’t really understand how, in a world that is so advanced in communication technology, we are now so disconnected as society. We have to remember to not let the fear divide us. By Dave This week, it feels that a change has taken place. No longer are we locked away under the global terror of the virus. This week it’s about finding out what is now going to be (for a considerable time anyway) normal. Hotels, flights, even some cruises are now available but the experience will surely be different. A dictionary definition may say that the noun normal is the usual, typical, or expected state or condition. For me there is nothing typical about wearing a face mask , nothing usual about the lack of social activity, and nothing expected about a hug being questioned in the same way as if you have just let your dog defecate on someone’s kitchen floor. So the keys are slowly opening the lockdown doors but still many of us are without work, and without an answer of when we can return to work. It’s difficult to avoid the worry, to not think about the stress that is building as we think about the worry. This week (episode 6) we ask how we should feel? What is it to feel normal, when we now cannot even recognize the meaning. It’s ok to feel different when everything has changed. Our lives have been affected but if we refuse to stigmatize our mind’s well being, we are on a good path for preservation. On this week’s show we feature Lesley Wells a clinical hypnotherapist and mindfulness coach. Also Dr Penny Blackburn is a consultant clinical psychologist who has been kind enough to provide some assistance, as we look further into mental health. And Ben, and me well we look at how laughter might just save us, literally. The laughter may be the most important thing of all, and that’s science my friends. |
AuthorBen and David share their thoughts. |