The Clue Train
Okay, I was going to get some writing done, but…well…it seems I have something else to say. Now this my own ramble so you are free to come and listen or ignore it, I don’t mind either way. I have to get this out so I can go back to writing. As per usual I’m not adding links, because I am not asking anyone go yell at anyone else, just processing things out loud in my own way.
Now many of you have heard me use the term clue train, so I’m going to start by explaining how that flavor of madness came about. I am by no means an intellectual/academic person, nor am I well read in the scholarly or philosophical ways. I have a rather odd habit of visualizing images in my head of things I wish to understand better, to make it easier for me to look at them from many angles…
Hence came the clue train
Along the topic of the current conversations about race (or lgbt acceptance, or any conversation of this type we might be lucky enough to get going) I envision those of us trying to actually have the conversations as being riding the train itself. We talk, snack, argue, but in truth remain together to hash out these conversations the best we can. Some folks are near the back of the train, more listening, but not quite ready to move forward and speak. Other’s are at the front of the train waving at people as we go by and inviting them on board.
Now sometimes those that are not on the train try to throw things on the track to derail us. Other times people run along side of the train in hopes of getting on board. Many of us riding the train will try to led a hand, to help the runner join us in the train cars. It’s trickey, but it’s been more successful lately then I remember seeing before.
Sadly, what is happening far too often, is that we are loosing passengers off the back of the train, as hard as we try to keep them with us. Some jump off to join the people trying to derail us. Others are sadly pulled off by friends and family (afraid of our bad influences?) “for their own good”, and still more fall to their own doubt and fears about moving forward and making the changes that need to be made.
I cheer each time someone new comes aboard, and my heart aches each time fear or the pressure of their peers causes someone to stay behind. I keep hoping to find these lost friends at the next station, apologetic and hopeful to try again. I wish I could say I was one of the folks at the front of the train, calling people to join us on board. I try my best to hold out a hand to the runners, and to open the door at the station for those who failed but want to try again. In the end we all do the best we can, and the more of us that can reach the final destination together, I think the happier we all will be.
Now many of you have heard me use the term clue train, so I’m going to start by explaining how that flavor of madness came about. I am by no means an intellectual/academic person, nor am I well read in the scholarly or philosophical ways. I have a rather odd habit of visualizing images in my head of things I wish to understand better, to make it easier for me to look at them from many angles…
Hence came the clue train
Along the topic of the current conversations about race (or lgbt acceptance, or any conversation of this type we might be lucky enough to get going) I envision those of us trying to actually have the conversations as being riding the train itself. We talk, snack, argue, but in truth remain together to hash out these conversations the best we can. Some folks are near the back of the train, more listening, but not quite ready to move forward and speak. Other’s are at the front of the train waving at people as we go by and inviting them on board.
Now sometimes those that are not on the train try to throw things on the track to derail us. Other times people run along side of the train in hopes of getting on board. Many of us riding the train will try to led a hand, to help the runner join us in the train cars. It’s trickey, but it’s been more successful lately then I remember seeing before.
Sadly, what is happening far too often, is that we are loosing passengers off the back of the train, as hard as we try to keep them with us. Some jump off to join the people trying to derail us. Others are sadly pulled off by friends and family (afraid of our bad influences?) “for their own good”, and still more fall to their own doubt and fears about moving forward and making the changes that need to be made.
I cheer each time someone new comes aboard, and my heart aches each time fear or the pressure of their peers causes someone to stay behind. I keep hoping to find these lost friends at the next station, apologetic and hopeful to try again. I wish I could say I was one of the folks at the front of the train, calling people to join us on board. I try my best to hold out a hand to the runners, and to open the door at the station for those who failed but want to try again. In the end we all do the best we can, and the more of us that can reach the final destination together, I think the happier we all will be.