If being part of this toy photography community has taught me anything, it is that we are all connected. We are one planet, one people with many of the same hopes, dreams, cultural touchstones and pastimes. The reaction to the horror that was yesterdays news was played out in the toy community just like it was everywhere else.
I am proud of my fellow Lego photographers who posted their own poignant responses to Wednesdays tragedy. TheCourtous created the following image that was reposted by many in the community.
“Don’t be afraid” by TheCourtous
I have posted before about playing with toys while the world burns around us, but this time I want to make a stand. I am tired of being afraid to say what I think. I don’t want to feel like the terrorists have won because we are the silent majority.
When I see a comment like this:
“Must we bring Islamic State into the lego community? Nice pick and caption but lets keep it politic free please. Or God only knows what would happen.”
I know the answer is a resounding “Yes! If not now, when?”
Je Suis Charlie by AdultFanofLego
I know the threads that bind us are tenuous, but they are there. If we can find a connection through Instagram and our mutual love of toys I know we can find them over other issues. Now more than ever it is important for us to reach across to our fellow humans (no matter what their beliefs or their religion) and extend the hand of friendship. Our community is filled with children and young adults; we must show them that there is a better way. A way filled with tolerance, understanding and a willingness to put aside our differences for the sake of the larger community which we all belong, it’s called humanity.
Je Suis Charlie by MiniFigLife
Personally I don’t care what a persons religious beliefs are, I support everyone’s freedom to say what is on their mind in a respectful way. But I can’t turn over the world I currently inhabit to my kids without something changing. I hope that we can learn from our experiences here within this community and change the world around us, one toy photographer at a time.
Je Suis Charlie by HLMLego
As we continue to grieve for the families of those who lost their lives on Wednesday, January 7th I hope you will join with me to help strengthen our bonds and raise our voices in protest. Enough is enough.
Thank you for listening.
~ xxsjc
If you have any comments about the Lego communities reaction or your own to these latest tragic events, please share them below. The more we talk, the more bridges we can build.
Well said, Shelly. I wrote on my Facebook page (and it applies to artists too), “There are a lot of things we writers worry about, but getting killed for what we write shouldn’t be one of them.” My blog post has a link to the PEN American Center petition and more information about how PEN supports journalists and other writers and artists who are under attack for exercising their right to free expression.
Lyn, Thank you for your kind words and I want you to know how much I loved your blog post. I will check out the link and sign the petition because writers should not pay with their lives for what they write…ever.