Letters: ‘Project Changing Places’ volunteers needed; Speak out against lies, hate
‘Project Changing Places’ volunteers needed
We live in Happy Valley, but some days it’s hard to feel very happy.
I invite you to put a little lilt in your step, extend a hand of friendship, and promote some goodwill. Join Project Changing Places — stepping into another’s shoes and bridging the communication gap during the time of the pandemic. This project is a recipient of the 3 Dots Downtown Awesome grant.
COVID-19 is just one of our problems, not the only problem. One big problem that I see wreaking havoc is the inability for people to hear what others have to say, and the counterpoint to that of feeling an inability to be heard. It takes bravery.
An idea for a way to overcome this conundrum came to me when my visiting adult children could not share the same room let alone enter a conversation because of the polar opposite views each held about these topics: mandates, medical freedom, masking, reliable science, trust in the medical establishment, greater good, prevention and treatment for COVID and safety and efficacy of the vaccines. The method for Project Changing Places asks us to listen without judgment and portray without bias. Tall order.
Over the course of five weeks, beginning in October, we will gather to learn new tools of communication and we will use theater to “change places” and become the other person. Then we will present what we have learned to the public. Join us. Be brave!
Contact me at lam35@psu.edu for details.
Speak out against lies, hate
I watched a black and white “Gunsmoke” today to escape from the news of the day and the lies spouted by some; gullibility believed by others. COVID, race, election fraud, immigration of allies in war. This was a morality play. A snake oil huckster plans to defraud the town selling bottles of alcohol and opium. As the smooth talker spouts the big lie his greedy underlings plot to rob the bank while the town heads are turned.
Most understand the dangers of willful ignorance and wishful thinking. Still, some listen to the fear monger and are taken in. Harmless fun, some say, and others forget the last time their local doctor, the best expert, saved someone they knew with facts, not lies.
Remember having no TV? We had a radio. Sitting on the floor we listened to Sergeant Preston, “The Green Hornet” and “The Lone Ranger.” They sorted out the facts, called out the lies and saved the town. Children remembered that honesty must stand before lies and willful ignorance if safety and peace are to prevail over extortion, intimidation and threats of violence and death.
This is the time when citizens who care about honesty and facts and expertise and basic caring about fellow human beings must speak out against hate and lies and violent threats. It’s time to save the town. It’s time to save the children. It’s time to save the nation and the rights of every citizen.
No one deserves COVID-19
There is a saying that states, “we get what we deserve”; well evidently those people who refuse to get vaccinated, to wear masks or to social distance believe that everyone they come in contact with (family, friends, co-workers, people at church, stores, etc.) deserve to get COVID-19. The overcrowded hospitals with doctors, nurses and other employees at these hospitals deserve to become emotionally, physically and psychologically overwrought treating and trying to save these patients who the aforementioned people figure they deserved to be there. And to follow the domino effect, all these people who come in contact with other people, come in contact with other people, etc. To all those selfish people, remember “you get what you deserve.” Let us pray that your loved ones are not the recipients of what you feel you deserve.