the jack-in-the-box

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​How long has it been since you cranked the handle of a jack- in-the-box, maybe 40 plus years? Maybe you are a child at heart and last cranked the handle only a few years ago. I suspect it depends on how you define a Jack-in-the-box. For the sake of this blog, let's work with a metaphor and define the "Jack" who lives in-the-box as any concept that by our/your action, causes something to happen; either concrete or conceptual.  In that case, it could have been just yesterday!

For the sake of this blog, I'm going to rename each "Jack" in
Hatfield/McCoy style (oppositions),
racism/unbiased treatment of others
injustice/justice
inequality/equality
divisiveness /unity

Dealing with these "Jacks", the number of people cranking the metaphorical handle would have to be 100 percent. You have to fall on either side.  Although, as I think about it, some of you may be caught with forefinger and thumb pinching the tiny handle, unable to turn the crank. The reasons may differ; confusion, indecisiveness or unwillingness to weigh in (for reasons good or bad-no judgement here)

Next, step back and ask yourself which "Jack" should be stuffed back in the box with a lid securely fastened. Do you notice that as you step back, it becomes painfully clear what must be forced back in the box and maybe even given a free ride to the dump for recycling?

I am talking in absolutes here; sheer black and white - no gray zones for the time being. That being said, how can anything but racism, injustice, inequality and divisiveness be the first to have the top forced down on them with an added padlock for secure keeping.

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There is one question that is bellowed out by many of you and within that bellow lies the gray zone:

1. Do racism, injustice, inequality, and divisiveness exist?

• If you decide the answer is yes to any of the four, is there ever a  degree to which each is acceptable?
• If you answered no, how many people would it take verifying the existence of any/or all of these four "Jacks" for you to change your mind?

Mind you, these are all rhetorical questions. I have my own opinions, but for the moment, I'm not going to let them out of the bag. As it pertains to children, your answers become critically important, particularly since children are sponges soaking up whatever their parents spill out. Initially, they have no capacity to determine if those opinions are valid or fair.  They simply soak in the opinion and when squeezed, spew it right back out.  

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My brief opinion moment: I think this is how our "jacks" keep jumping out or it is at least one of the reasons why the handle keeps cranking. We parents/adults are responsible for the views of our children. Those very views are soaked up and squeezed back out like a bad genetic mutation.   Children become at risk of becoming the elements of society having a propensity to infringe on the rights of others or, at the very least,  those who stir the pot, grow up, and then spill those same views to the fruit of their loins.  We are in definite need of CRISPER here.

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Time for introspection:
There are only two actions when it comes to a Jack-in-the-box; cranking the handle or sealing the top.  If cranking the handle is about perpetuating racism, injustice, inequality and divisiveness then sealing the top conversely is creating a space for the equal treatment of others, justice, equality and unity. So knowing the parameters, think about where you fall in terms of passing along views/opinions/behaviors which are likely to have unintended consequences; mainly oppressive.

Creating a space for positive change is about your willingness to close the top of the Jack-in-the-box.  That being said it's time to ask yourself: Are you cranking the handle or are you sealing the top.

In keeping with my poetic nature, I hope "The Jack-in-the=box" will compliment my musings.

As always, I welcome comments and shares.