I’ll admit that I may not have paid much attention to the act of terrorism that occurred in front of the Boulder, Colorado courthouse — except that I had been in that exact spot a week before. My sister and I enjoyed a lovely day on the Pearl City Mall, just days before 15 people were burned when a terrorist tossed a flamethrower into the crowd. The randomness of the violence and the timing of our visit gives me pause.
I am reminded of the quote by educator Parker Palmer, who said that all education occurs at the intersection of the big picture and the little story. The big picture is the attack; the little story is that we were there. I could picture in my mind the exact spot where the ground is now burned.
I think our country would be a kinder place if people traveled it more. I have walked the streets of Los Angeles where the National Guard was wrongfully deployed. I have seen the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing. I have touched the Washington monuments and visited the Smithsonians to learn more about those who helped shape our nation. I can picture the National Mall where protests occur and the AIDS quilt was laid. I saw Ground Zero when the towers were still smoldering and cleanup was occurring.
Actually experiencing these places helps to make that connection with the big picture and bursts that bubble of isolationism. Being there in person solidifies that we are all interconnected and reminds everyone that we need to pay more attention to the whole instead of just our little part. We need to think about the future, and not just what gains “likes” today.
Use your summer travel not just for entertainment, but to cultivate an understanding that will connect you to the next story.
