As creatives how can we more effectively respond to issues that affect the marginalized and at-risk communities in our contexts? 

In many places we sometimes forget what a privilege it is to receive near-immediate help when we most need it. We take it for granted. I wonder sometimes about those who live in places where it’s difficult to find good and reliable help, quickly—either there are none available or unaffordable or inaccessible due to corruption and other factors.

According to a recent study, there were “large increases in mass shootings in the US with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with the notion that mass shootings, an extreme form of violence, may be influenced by social and economic factors.”

Among other things, what the study unveils is that unless the underlying fabric that forms the bedrock for what we term “social and economic factors” is radically transformed, we will continue to experience unprecedented violence that engulfs and ensnares all people everywhere. 

Consider,

Take a moment to assess your creative response potential in your situation—your local context in terms of learning the needs of the marginalized and at-risk communities around you. The goal here is not necessarily to come up with a solution immediately but to call upon our inherent creativity to respond to our inherent creator-like impulse. It starts with prayer. Why? Because we are faced with something that needs intervention beyond what we can offer in our human, albeit creative, strength alone. 

Photo by Raghu Nayyar on Unsplash. Thank you!