The moral arc

/ Su Leslie
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In the beauty of a golden dawn, it is easier to believe in the good in the world. Image: Su Leslie

The moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’ve started having early morning anxiety attacks. I’m waking suddenly — fearful and distressed, gouged by fragments of terrible dreams.

The world around seems ever more chaotic, divided, unjust and while I am, for now, one of the lucky ones, who knows how long luck will last.

Once I lived in a country that believed in compassion and justice and inclusion. Now, I’m not so sure.

Posted to RagTag Daily Prompt |Justice

56 thoughts on “The moral arc”

  3. You are not alone in your feelings, Su. I think every woman on earth who is aware of what is happening feels the same way. Take a break from the news and social media, and keep taking your beautiful photographs. I try to focus on the real, natural world more and more these days, and to hell with the rest.

    Deb

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  9. Su, hang in there. Keep looking towards the good that happens in small places. The love you have in your family. The positive changes you can make. Loved your shot of the dawn.

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    • Our PM is proving to be a bit of a star, but sadly, she is part of a coalition government that was always going to be a bit creaky. But I am grateful that we haven’t descended into the chaos you and others are experiencing (yet).

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    • Thanks Anabel. I’m usually ok if it’s just my problems, or just “the world” that troubles me. It’s when I’m feeling helpless in both I get overly anxious. But you are right, and small steps in the right direction make the journey eventually.

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  13. I am sorry to hear you are waking to anxiety attacks. 😦 The world, even our small part of it, can be frightening, especially if we are wanting our children to prosper and be healthy and happy in its future. I have lived in my current home for 18 years. Last month I installed, for the first time, a lock on the gate between the garden and the driveway. In reality, it’s a flimsy thing, but I feel less vulnerable, less exposed to whatever ‘nasties’, real or imagined, which may be out there.
    I hope your anxieties diminish soon and become manageable worries.

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    • Thank you. I know what you mean about feeling less secure. I have lived in my house for the same amount of time, and am much more security-conscious than I have ever been in the past.
      Most of my worries are centred around my son’s future. I am so aware that many members of my generation have become wealthy on the back of the social capital we were gifted — as education, healthcare, housing. I hate that the same capital has been taken away from our children in order for some people to accumulate ridiculous wealth.
      I’m watching small family homes in my neighbourhood being demolished and replaced with hideous mansions, that will be home to fewer people than the houses they are replacing. It’s creating a place I no longer want to live in.

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  14. Nature nurtures, but faces of activists and protesters are nature, too. Perhaps if you try to capture that phenomena photographically, you’ll find that the universe has merely nagged you into doing something slightly more participatory than observatory. Best to you!

    “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” MLKjr

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    • Thanks Susan. I’m not comfortable photographing people, but I recognise the importance of documenting protest and making sure that dissenting voices are heard above the msm noise.

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  17. As long as there are still some of us who believe and practice those values, there is hope. It isn’t helpful when our press highlight the worst of us. We tend to fall into the trap of thinking that’s what everyone is like but it isn’t. There are a lot of good people and good things in this country.

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  18. I agree that there are many good people around. Sadly, there are also many institutions and policies that systematically reward greed and wealth and make life more difficult for the already vulnerable. Charities are being called upon to do work that should, in my view, be part of a wider social contract.

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  19. I’m so sorry to hear that you’re having these anxiety attacks, Su. I know them only too well. But you’re already doing the right thing – getting out, taking pictures, concentrating on the moment. Sending you big hugs! Xxxxxx

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