THE NORM IS NOT NORMAL

Our community, not unlike other urban communities across the country, celebrates the pleasures and privileges of having opportunity and access to economic and social progress.  This great country offers the opportunity to live freely and to make the most out of our hard work and our passions.  We must recognize it, celebrate it, guard it, and pursuit it – and we should encourage others to do the same.

However, it’s important to remember that in every community there are those that are living, whether permanently or transitionally, with a disadvantage.  Not a disadvantage in a diminished sense of the word, but a disadvantage as a distinction from what may be considered the norm.  If we think in these terms, each of us will find ourselves or others we love in some form of disadvantage.  We often empower them, as they empower us.  We love them differently and so do they.  “Normal” is a then a term that becomes fluid –  it evolves as much as it is inappropriate in most instances.

As we reach out to any person society deems “different” or “challenged” or “struggling,” we should analyze how that norm is established – and how we deal with it.

This post was inspired by Linda, a kind woman, who made Laredo her home for many years. (Photo 10/8/13)

By: Jose L. Ceballos