Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
To see, to have sight, denotes only living in the present. To only ‘see’ something implies an unwillingness to interact or care for others. This complacency contrasts with ‘vision’, which implies some form of thought and effort. Anyone can see something, but it takes work to have a vision. A vision means that one will work to change themselves or others to meet that imagined ideal, however big or small it may be.
If the United States were to have more vision, and less sight, it could be a better place. Rather, it could be as it once was. Instead of seeing posts against police brutality, people would work to create a safe justice system. Instead of amble talking about healthcare, the country would share a vision for universal coverage irregardless of skin color, socioeconomic status, and pre-existing conditions. All it takes is a vision. A collective devotion to inspiring visions, all working to create a better life for everybody.Martin Luther King Jr.’s “dream” was a vision, one he fought for his whole life, and made great changes.
What would it take to enact such a change? First, it would start by educating people that this change is possible, and this vision is not a dream. Educate that every other advanced nation had single-payer universal healthcare, or that our police brutality rates are unnecessarily high, that education can be affordable… that an ideal life for everybody is achievable. Then have dialogues, encourage new ideas, and constantly strive for better. Because otherwise, what are we but sheep?
We can do better, we can be great, all it takes is a vision.
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