Don’t panic

My brother Gurval and his girlfriend, 1985.
My brother Gurval and his girlfriend, 1985.

Do not panic. This is war, nothing else. It has often happened and it will happen again. The only way to live without fear is to stop hoping that there will be no more wars. We are emerging from a long cozy dream; it’s time to wake up. Change our mindset. Think back to Churchill and the British facing barbarism. Being quick to help each other. Being more attentive to others. Become better. Less selfishness, more civility. Lead by example. Help all our fellow men but now refuse incivility and hate. Do not let those who hate our values impose their own. Deny that one dictates how women should dress, how school children must eat, who we should love, what we can say, sing, draw, publish. Stop being wet noodles. There are ways to be kind and respect others without being cowards. It is only by resisting that we’ll survive.

Pas de panique. C’est la guerre, rien d’autre. C’est arrivé souvent et ça arrivera encore. La seule façon de vivre sans peur, c’est d’arrêter d’espérer qu’il n’y aura plus de guerres. Nous sortons d’un long rêve douillet, il est temps se réveiller. Changer d’état d’esprit. Penser à Churchill et aux Anglais face à la barbarie. Etre plus attentifs aux autres. Etre prompts à s’entraider. Devenir meilleurs. Moins d’égoïsme, plus de civisme. Montrer l’exemple. Aider tous nos semblables mais désormais refuser l’incivisme et la haine. Ne plus laisser ceux qui haïssent nos valeurs nous imposer les leurs. Refuser que l’on nous dicte comment les femmes doivent se comporter, comment les écoliers doivent manger, qui nous devons aimer, ce que nous pouvons dire, chanter, dessiner, publier. Cesser d’être des nouilles. Il y a moyen d’être bons et de respecter les autres sans être lâches. Ce n’est qu’en résistant que nous survivrons.


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