Flowers in California

Flowers in California

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Other Voices

I like to have a pen nearby.  It's not that I need to write things down all the time but I like the option.  It bothers me just a little when they disappear.  And they do.  I find that pens,  unlike socks, are found again but they do go on extended trips into sofas and other secret places.  I miss them then.

Of course, we have tools other than pens with which to transmit our ideas now.  With computers, smart phones, and tablets, we can capture all of our thoughts.  Not that we need to capture all of them, I know a lot of mine are not worth saving, but we can.  And we're lucky to be able to do this.

I've thought before of people in the world who don't have the means to record and share their thoughts.  People live in poverty, some people are illiterate.  For some, daily survival and protection of one's family are the main objectives in life.  They may be able to verbally share their stories, at times, but if their reach is limited, their thoughts, their experiences, their unique lives do not become known to a wider audience.  We do not learn of their realities.

I don't know how these voices can become heard, how the words of those who don't write, or use a computer can be shared.  Maybe it helps to recognize, though, that despite all of the communication that is going on in the world, we are not learning the whole story.  There are so many more voices that need to get in on the discussion.

JAHD

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