In the very old days I was a pretty vitriolic blogger–if you go waaaay back to 2009. More accurately I was a largely unread, vitriolic blogger. I had opinions, lots of opinions, and I was quite willing to force them down the world’s throat from the safe confines of my bedroom. Being In Focus has been anything but that; instead, this photoblog has been an active attempt to focus on all that is meaningful in my life. With a few exceptions Being In Focus is about the things that get me out of bed in the morning, things that make me excited to come home at night, things from the natural world that make my brain feel all warm and fuzzy; it’s pretty much about all the things in life that make me smile.
It’s also for my kids. I think I write it so that someday, if they ever choose to, they can get an alternative glimpse of what they’ve meant to me. Perhaps they’ll even find some pearls from my experience that will help them on their journey. With that in mind I’m crossing ever-so-gently into territory I’ve generally shied from on Being In Focus.
Over the last week or so it’s come to light that some men of very poor character at Penn State University did little to stop a really awful man from hurting kids over and over again. Instead of doing what any decent human being would, they averted their gaze and let the man continue his horrifying ways. While what these men did (or more accurately DIDN’T do) is despicable in every way it’s actually not the point of this post. No, what really troubles me is about this story is that when one of these men was fired for doing nothing to protect children from being hurt, young men and women at his university rioted. They poured into the streets in support of a man of questionable morals for one reason, he is very good at winning football games. With all the people in this world who sacrifice so much to help other people how is it that a spineless excuse for a man garners the adoration of thousands? How can the playing of a game really mean anything at all? It seems to me that there is either a devastating shortage of real heroes or we’ve miserably failed a sizable number of our children by teaching them to revere all the wrong people.
23 Comments
Nice picture and connection to current events…as unfortunate as they were (or at least allegedly were)…
YES! When winning football games is more important than protecting children from the worst kind of predation it is time to do (a lot of) soul searching.
I welcome your vitriol.
Your photo is very symbolic. A lot of people had need of an inner “light” before, during, and after this terrible event. Instead what has finally come to light has shown a marked darkness of the heart and soul.
I have read about this and it is awful how one can chose not to see this kind of criminal acts for that is what it is. Children, teenagers and young adults look up to teachers, coaches and other adult for guidance and get this…
A very symbolic image.
fantastic shot, a bunch of creatures watching the game
An admirable picture to illustrate the shining of light in some dark and dirty corners. The inhumanity and misplaced loyalties of people makes me wonder…
a nice title to go with the words … excellent pic
Excellent post Chris. Beautifully composed and realized image, and poignant caption. Unfortunately, child abuse is much more common than most people realize. If there can be anything positive about what is being revealed at Penn State, and at other institutions, is the light of truth. Generations ago, all these atrocities would have been kept secret. An national organization started here in Charleston called Darkness to Light focuses on how to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. Again, your image is really excellent.
a fine shot for this post you have here.. for a foreigner like me, football’s not a big deal so it didn’t quite register why these kids were rioting because of the firing of their coach.. they probably just got caught up in it or something.. but yeah, it’s kinda troubling..
splendid light interpretation Chris, really liked your idea nad your result with this dominant in the center
well said, christopher. as my husband and i watched those kids gather that first night we couldn’t believe how they had no empathy for the victims and no disgust for the alleged crimes. like the one reporter said that night via telecom (corey/cobey – i can’t recall), but he said they were acting like morons and he was right. i like your image too. (btw, a mix of writing can be good. you’ve done it with great restraint)
Wonderful photo to illustrate your point.
It’s a crazy world we live in, people turn their gaze away from things that really matter far too often. For an extra bit of money or a sniff of glory it’s amazing (in a disgusting way) what people will do (or not do as the case here is). I wonder if people regret this in some way later in life, will they see error of their way? Will they wish they had done the thing they felt was right in their heart? Unless something directly touches them, most people will ignore what’s right in front of them, few stand up and do what’s right.
Anyway, blogging with your own family in mind is a great thing to do, I think it’d be wonderful if one day your kids read your words and see your photos and see something else in their dad they hadn’t seen before.
Well done for making your thoughts heard.
j’aime la simplicité de cette image !
Its a scary world… empathy is quite lost everywhere. I think its more awful to look the other way when there’s trouble.
Well seen, I Like it
I was the same… But mostly I blogged about politics and crap mostly as a ways to let off steam I guess. As you get older you calm down and now I just try to make some sense when I vent…
p.s. I love the image.
Very cool. I love the empty space and the bird.
I wish I could write something profound here but I am at a loss. The entire thing makes me very sad.
Perhaps it is the empty space left between the elements in your image that hold all the answers.
Collection of lines that are packed in the form black and White
this is simply a very creative and innovative framing!
could be also a place at a airport, and so i like the bird who departures.
A very good job over time.
A great story for your children.
One way for you, too, calm your fears and express your joys …