I love this photo. There is a lot going on. We can see the expressions on the faces of the Smiths as they are reacting to what they perceive as an attack on their identity.
Although the image is a bit disturbing, I find Smith’s Twitter comment hopeful: “got all dressed up to choose chaos.” Of course, the operative word here is “choose.”
I read this morning that the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences is launching an official inquiry into the incident. This is great news. I heard that over one billion people witnessed this event. If they also have the opportunity to witness an exploration of what it was that caused Smith to “choose chaos,” it can be an enlightening experience for many, many people.
I feel that the emphasis needs to be continually placed on “choose” and “choice” and any other iteration of this word. The good news is that Smith already used this word in his Twitter response.
As the Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.”
Right now, I choose to have faith that he will be able to explain what went on in his mind at that moment. The world is watching. He can be a role model for many.
In the 1939 film we watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. We are now watching in real time as Mr. Smith Awakens...or not…you never know.
A few more “thank yous” waiting for their beads.
#awakening #willsmith #cardmaking