There are a lot of cars with wrapped-ribbon magnetic things showing support for various concepts, mostly having to do with the war in Iraq, but also other things ranging from breast cancer eradication to funding for homeless shelters (there's an amazing list of causes and associated 'awareness jewelry' here). ..Similarly, people in Hollywood like to wear ribbons to public gatherings for roughly the same reason. So --
How long till a ribbon comes out that looks vaguely like a wave , to be sported by people who've donated to tsunami relief?
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6 comments:
I went to the site you highlighted and found what the different colors can mean. I like the idea that yellow means "hope, in general." I was asked in Al-Anon once to write an essay on 'hope.' I couldn't do it. I had no hope that anything was going to change. But in spite of my lack of belief, God worked wonders--not when I wanted Him to but when He decided the time was right. Hope is essential, and if a yellow ribbon that makes people remember that, it's a boost everyone needs.
We have a yellow ribbon on our van, that says, "Support our Troops." We remember how it was during the VietNam War (Yes, I know they don't call it war, but it was). I visited my husband in the hospital, and saw so many boys maimed and many dying. It was tragic. They went through so much, just as the boys and men fighting in Iraq are going through so much, and people didn't seem to appreciate their sacrifices.
We got the yellow ribbon not to show that we were for the war in Iraq(which we are not), but as a statement to anyone who has served over there that we support them. They need hope. I know a little yellow magnetic ribbon is a small gesture, but if it lets them know that we haven't forgotten their sacrifices and gives them the least bit of hope that their country appreciates them, its not meaningless at all.
I sense you think a ribbon that shows people have donated to tsunami relief would be hippocritical. "I gave, look at me. I'm a good person." But anything that appeals to someone to give when the need is so great, no matter how ridiculous it is, would be alright wouldn't it? It's a part of the human condition that people need symbols, people need other people to know their hearts are in the right places, people need a pat on the back sometimes--even when they shouldn't.
You make some really good points, and they always make me think. I also want to thank you for no lulls in your postings. I may not always comment, but I always read.
Cate
I am of two minds about the ribbon thing.
I think that when people put ribbons on cars, they're 'real people' doing it, and I respect their opinions, whether I agree with them or not. I also have a yellow ribbon, and for me it means that I wish well for the military who are stuck there. I don't support the war (I did when it started, but not now; I keep asking myself 'Now just exactly what is it we expect to get out of this, George?). The ribbon is for them, not it. Perhaps a yellow ribbon with black borders. Or red, for whats being wasted. (Which reminds me: when I was first in the military, and we were issued the standard red and yellow National Defense ribbon, the saying was 'Red for the blood never shed, and yellow for the reason why'. Clearly not the case here, but who are we trying to impress? Or more accurately, who is George trying to impress?)
But when it comes to actors and such wearing ribbons, then I tend to think they're being showy. I can't think of the word I want, but what I'm trying to say is that they may or may not support the cause, but I kind of doubt they are; I think they're just doing it to be in tune with their colleagues, to show how sensitive and politically aware they are. Years ago it would have been called 'just to be hip'. I doubt their sincerity -- and the more flowery or flamboyant the ribbon, the more I doubt it. Then again, I just don't trust actors, period. After all, they're in the business of faking emotion, and I keep coming back to the old saw about 'Be sincere. If you can fake that, you've got it made'. I recall one actor speaking with some exasperation about how he had to have people behind the camera move because they were 'in his sight line', and thus ruining his majesty of artistic expression. Get a life, is what I thought. You can see how hurt and humbled Hollywood is by my scorn. As the saying goes, regarding actors, don't get me started.
As for the tsumani ribbon, actually, I was serious. I thought it might be a way to further publicize the relief effort, support for which is popping up in the dammedest places.
Somebody will just use it to make money. A ribbon is not needed to show you care.
Absolutely. As for someone making money from it -- well, thats not necessarily bad. Its when the product -- whatever it is, ribbons, flags after 9/11 -- becomes glossy that I think the line is crossed. I admit, my thinking's not too coherent on this one.
I once heard someone say something to the effect of 'why have ribbons, the soldiers can't see them', and the response, which I agree with, is that they can when they come home, and their relatives who are here now can, too.
Personally, I like my 'yellow with black border' idea. Gee, what a surprise.
I like your idea about the tsunami ribbon because it would be an additional way to raise funds for the relief effort. Yes, it would also benefit whoever comes up with the product, but I think any way to raise funds for the relief effort is worth it.
Thanks, Angie.
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