I saw a post a few days ago where someone said that they “will be so glad when things return to normal”. I mean, on the surface I understand that this statement was meant to imply that, with society in such a volatile state, and all of the many unsettling events over the last year, it’ll be nice to relegate those things to the past.
But for me, it hit different this time.
All I kept thinking is that NORMAL being a good thing is completely subjective.
It must be nice to experience the luxury of a NORMAL that reflects an inherent national optimism, or an expectation that most people will treat you well and extend respect and common courtesy as a matter of course. It must be nice to be the recipient of a NORMAL that regularly regards you with support instead of suspicion.
It must be… nice.
But for those of us who’ve been in the press of a punitive society for years and years, that’s not what NORMAL means to us. As a casualty of this press, here’s what “NORMAL” looks
and feels like.
* Normal is knowing there is a specific amount of time before I have to intentionally change direction while walking behind someone in a store (or on the sidewalk, or at a school, park, gym, etc.), just to avoid that all too common “look back”.
* Normal is assessing every situation or circumstance in advance, and making necessary adjustments based on the specific stereotypes I will need to manage in that moment.
* Normal is the constant reminder that a BIPOC who is well spoken is always the exception and never the rule.
* Normal is immediately defining any opinion I may have as a complaint, and to be outspoken is to be rebellious.
* Normal is being told that “opportunity” is working twice as hard for half as much.
* Normal is guilty until proven innocent.
Back to NORMAL?
You cannot return to that which you’ve never actually left.
This year, NORMAL has just been exposed for what it truly is. And good is definitely not the word I would use to describe it.
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GOOD-NORMAL
I saw a post a few days ago where someone said that they “will be so glad when things return to normal”. I mean, on the surface I understand that this statement was meant to imply that, with society in such a volatile state, and all of the many unsettling events over the last year, it’ll be nice to relegate those things to the past.
But for me, it hit different this time.
All I kept thinking is that NORMAL being a good thing is completely subjective.
It must be nice to experience the luxury of a NORMAL that reflects an inherent national optimism, or an expectation that most people will treat you well and extend respect and common courtesy as a matter of course. It must be nice to be the recipient of a NORMAL that regularly regards you with support instead of suspicion.
It must be… nice.
But for those of us who’ve been in the press of a punitive society for years and years, that’s not what NORMAL means to us. As a casualty of this press, here’s what “NORMAL” looks
and feels like.
* Normal is knowing there is a specific amount of time before I have to intentionally change direction while walking behind someone in a store (or on the sidewalk, or at a school, park, gym, etc.), just to avoid that all too common “look back”.
* Normal is assessing every situation or circumstance in advance, and making necessary adjustments based on the specific stereotypes I will need to manage in that moment.
* Normal is the constant reminder that a BIPOC who is well spoken is always the exception and never the rule.
* Normal is immediately defining any opinion I may have as a complaint, and to be outspoken is to be rebellious.
* Normal is being told that “opportunity” is working twice as hard for half as much.
* Normal is guilty until proven innocent.
Back to NORMAL?
You cannot return to that which you’ve never actually left.
This year, NORMAL has just been exposed for what it truly is. And good is definitely not the word I would use to describe it.
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