Page 16: Open our eyes and decide...

Artist: Yet to be discovered.

 

Page description and purpose: We can confront othering head-on by making a conscious decision to turn a reflective eye inward, questioning what within us needs to be addressed and attended to. To "open our eyes" is represented both literally and symbolically. Sometimes, if we see too much tragedy, we can become numb from the oversensitivity—we cannot bear such suffering, and this can cause us to disconnect, to keep closed off, not out of apathy but out of self-protection. We each need to decide for ourselves, and our choices are valid. This page will be a stunningly visual reminder to remain attentive to the subtle ways we other others and other ourselves—to soften the distance and address the disconnect, fostering kindness and a greater awareness. Emotional and mental resilience and strength are needed in our modern world; it’s easy to 'other,' but it’s the sad option and, if continued, will lead to a breakdown of humanity. This double-page spread of eyes will look out at us from the page—searching, seeking, and soothing—asking us to look back and restore our holistic well-being for the sake of ourselves and others.