This last weekend I had the chance to go and see first hand at “CHAZ” (recently renamed "CHOP" for "Capital Hill Organized Protest" )... To say the least, it really was an eye-opening experience. You could feel the energy in the air. There were so many people from every type of communities. It was very inspiring to see all these people (and I don’t like crowds) but I felt totally safe. While all around the country people are hurting in so many ways and angry at for so many (mostly valid) reasons, the positive vibe was surprising - and amazing.
One summer I was on a flight to California and I happened to be sitting next to a woman who was blind. We engaged in conversation,and had a few laughs. I was surprised when she told me that she was returning to the states from a trip to South Africa to hand out red tip canes to the blind. While her trip and her life intrigued me there was one thing she said that has been a guide for me for many years now. This wonderful woman lost her sight over a course of time. It left her completely blind not long after the birth of her first child. I had only been a mother for short time when I met her and my heart hurt for her. She said to me “I believe everyone should meet with their eye’s closed” I didn’t think much of it at the time, but today it resonates with me. If we could have all met everyone in our lives with our eyes closed first, how much less work would it take us to be better humans to all humans - and what kind of world would that look like compared to today?
While we did not spend a lot of time in CHAZ, the overwhelming message I felt from the energy there was one of humanity. There was music on every street corner, dancing, painting (some beautiful, some just a more standard graffiti) and people of every race, size, gender and hair color speaking up for a better world. I hope you enjoy some of the photos below.
7 Comments
Rosemary Leiva-Murphy
6/16/2020 07:50:47 pm
Thanks Randie , I truly value and appreciate you sharing your thoughts . We must always be proactive and part of the solution.
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Andi
6/17/2020 04:03:52 pm
Rosemary
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Valerie
6/17/2020 07:52:30 am
I'm glad you had a positive experience. Hard to know what's going on from the news. I hope real improvements come from all this. They are long overdue.
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Andi
6/17/2020 04:05:57 pm
Valerie,
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Sally Tonkin
6/17/2020 09:48:48 am
Good for you for going. I’ve heard from so many frightened Yakima folks who look at conservative media and get the impression that CHOP is some sort of Marxist take over. But, Seattle friends have a completely different impression based on their direct experience. It is much like yours.
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Andi
6/17/2020 04:13:40 pm
Sally,
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raelene wooley
6/17/2020 07:50:23 pm
that's awesome you were able to go and see what this CHOP is all about. although I am a conservative, I do care about equality for All man kind. So being conservative doesn't necessarily mean we have been manipulated by Any Media. Thank you for sharing the photos, it"s nice to see it was peaceful, that's all any one really wants , isn't it?
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