So where am I going with this?
Don't worry, I'll get there.
Fast forward to now. If you were to open any social media account, or simply are an aware human being, I'm sure that the subjects burning with the most vigor would include something about the coronavirus. And rightly so, being that we're all in quarantine and it's about 90% of what we have our focus on. Now don't get me wrong, I am more than aware that the proper precautions need to be taken in order to deactivate this highly active germ. However, it's the current, precautionary actions that ring an all too familiar bell.
Like that of The Crucible, an understandable fear has run rampant in our current society. The puritans were terrified of the witches and the last thing any of us want is to be another corona victim. A distance has been formed between people, and I'm not just taking physically. I have no problem agreeing that social distancing is important and helpful. However, if you do go out to an essential business, you will find there's an over-looming fear that many seem to have of each other now. There is a huge sense of don't touch me, don't look at me, don't breath on me, don't be by me at all. All because of the impact that this virus has caused. It's almost as if in our minds everyone has the virus, even if they don't. But that's why we're doing this right? Because we don't know. Yet, let's not forget that people, no matter if they "might" have the virus or not are still people.
Towards the end of The Crucible, John Proctor is being forced to confess that he has partaken in witchcraft. In doing so he must sign his name in a book of the accused, even though said assumption is false. He replies with one of my favorite quotes of:
"Because it is my name!
Because I cannot have another in my life!
Because I lie and sign myself to lies!
Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!
How may I live without my name?
I have given you my soul; leave me my name!"
I have given you my soul; leave me my name!"
His name.
Leave him his name.
There is a lot that goes along with this quote, but his name was the only truth he had left. He refused to sign the confession saying he was a witch because it was his name. He knew that he was not a witch and he'd rather die knowing the truth of his name instead of living a lie.
My prayer is that we remember the importance of interacting with and caring for the people that we see from 6+ feet a way. Yes we live in a scary time. No we don't want to get the virus. Yes there is a possibility that anyone we come in contact might have it. Yet everyone we see (from a safe distance) at an essential business or walking down the street has a name. They have a meaning, a purpose, a beautiful story, a truth, and are more than the fear of what they MIGHT be infected with.
But like John Proctor,
They have names.
Remember that they have names.
Leave him his name.
There is a lot that goes along with this quote, but his name was the only truth he had left. He refused to sign the confession saying he was a witch because it was his name. He knew that he was not a witch and he'd rather die knowing the truth of his name instead of living a lie.
My prayer is that we remember the importance of interacting with and caring for the people that we see from 6+ feet a way. Yes we live in a scary time. No we don't want to get the virus. Yes there is a possibility that anyone we come in contact might have it. Yet everyone we see (from a safe distance) at an essential business or walking down the street has a name. They have a meaning, a purpose, a beautiful story, a truth, and are more than the fear of what they MIGHT be infected with.
But like John Proctor,
They have names.
Remember that they have names.
