Terrestrial Mirror - a photo on Flickriver

Terrestrial Mirror

            I am sitting in my apartment in Illinois, some 3 months after we were asked to stay home as much as possible to help keep each other safe. Illinois has gone from thousands of people infected every day, and hundreds dying every day, to a steady low background of infections and less than 20 deaths on a good day. I think most of us know people who have been personally impacted by this crisis by now, either the death/illness of a loved one, or the financial toll and lack of support from our state and federal governments to support people who are hurting and lost. I think a lot of us understand (and may be dealing with the mental exhaustion and tolls therein) the value of the sacrifices made to keep people safe.
Still then, as I watch the numbers spiral out of control in many states, it's impossible to ignore how many people do not understand the value of that sacrifice, and how many lack the empathy and compassion for their fellow people. 
In the same time period, we've had the inequality of our neighbors put in front of our faces again and while a lot of us have tried to make sure we don't lose sight of it ever again, I think we've seen a demonstration of the same lack of empathy and compassion from a lot of the same faces. Within the communities of color, especially in Black communities, COVID has dealt a disproportionate amount of damage. No doubt a symptom of a lot of the same systematic racism and prejudice that infects a lot of the structures of our society. 

Take a moment today, tomorrow, and defer to those who have it worse. Listen to people whose choices you take away when you don't wear a mask, or make a needless run to the store today. Not everyone has the privilege to stay home. Not everyone has the money to wait out another lockdown when COVID spikes again. Think of other people before yourself. 

Continue to donate money. Donate blood. Get tested for COVID. Register to vote and find candidates that will support the marginalized people in your communities.
---
I spent a night taking photos in one of the darker areas of the state a few weeks ago. I set a camera in one spot for 20 minutes or so and let the fireflies mirror the stars in the sky. I have often turned to this hobby to get away from things in the real world that are stressful or anxiety inducing, but lately, that has felt like the irresponsible thing to do. Thank you for allowing me the time to clutter your timeline.
   

Taken on: June 21, 2020

Tags:

Sony

a6000

16mm

f1.4

Milky

Way

Long

Exposure

Photography

Expo

Midwest

Night

Sky

stars

starry

astrophotography

astronomy « less

Groups appears in: • ~NATURE~ OF BIRDS • The Milky Way more » • The World at Night • The Stars at Night -- P1/C1 • Our Planet at Night • Stars n' Stuff • The Long Exposure • Landscapes Only • Sony A6000 • Sony Alpha 6000 « less

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