As a kid I gave my parents little trouble and later showed only the usual rebellious teen spirit. (They disapproved of guys I dated, but that’s another story).
And altho I’ve stood on picket lines, argued before the Corps of Engineers against ecologically disastrous city projects, marched for good causes, volunteered for a few, and did some political campaigning, I’ve never climbed up on a soapbox, taken big risks, or been in real good trouble.
Not like my WW II veteran dad who crossed an ocean, or my friend Fred who rode a Freedom Bus.
And I still ask myself, Why not?
Retroflash / 100 Words
– Dana Susan Lehrman
Dana Susan LehrmanThis retired librarian loves big city bustle and cozy country weekends, friends and family, good books and theatre, movies and jazz, travel, tennis, Yankee baseball, and writing about life as she sees it on her blog World Thru Brown Eyes!
www.WorldThruBrownEyes.com
Characterizations:
moving
It seems to me that you have made some noise in ways that felt appropriate to you. It’s hard for us good girls to make waves.
Thanx Laurie for lifting some of the guilt!
Dana, you’ve echoed my “goodie, goodie” theme, but in a RetroFlash, and far better than I did in a whole bunch of words and anecdotes. And, as Laurie notes, you’ve really made a lot of GOOD noise in your own way. Brava!
Many thanx John!
I’ve learned that most drafts can always be cut down, I guess it’s true that often less is more!
The sculptor Brancusi, known for his minimalism, apparently said he would keep paring down his works as much as he could as long as he kept the image and emotion he wanted to convey!
You’ve said it concisely and beautifully, Dana, and as the others have pointed out, done your part in a good way.
Thanx Marian!
You’ve pointed out the causes you advocated for in 100 words, and the men you admire for taking a BIG chance. You’ve said it all, Dana. Well done.
Thanx Betsy!
Impressive use of 100 words, Dana…and I echo your last sentiment.
Thanx Bebe!
Great RetroFlash, Dana. If you keep asking yourself “why not?” it might lead to you deciding to take bigger risks in the future. Although with our new administration, we may not need to make any good trouble for a while. Here’s hoping, anyway.
Thanx Suzy!
Your work in Georgia was so admirable. Also admirable were my rabbi and lawyers in our congregation who went to JFK airport the night the Muslim ban went into affect, and the asst rabbi and others who went to the southern border to fact-find about kids in cages.
May things be better now, but there’ll always be good trouble to make. Thanx for the inspiration!
You’re entitled to your own self-concept around NOT making trouble. However, when I think back on your efforts in revamping a library, and in your critique of television programming, I see an engaged citizen who is making little ripples of “good trouble” in ways that aren’t very splashy, if you’ll pardon the word play, but are nonetheless important.
Many thanx Dale, I do feel I’ve made some less splashy trouble.
We all do what we can!