You know there’s been a significant cultural shift when Mattel is choosing to say thank you to our everyday heroes for being on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic–honoring their work keeping our communities safe.
The #ThankYouHeroes collection includes 16 action figures–four each of doctors, nurses, EMTs and delivery drivers in varying genders and skin tones–and a five-figure set of Little People Community Champions from a doctor, nurse, EMT, delivery driver and grocery store worker. Another wonderful aspect of this is that the proceeds will be going to communities in need.
In addition, some historical artwork is now on display at the Southampton General Hospital in Hampshire, England with this same concept:
The largely monochrome painting, which is one square meter, was hung in collaboration with the hospital’s managers in a foyer near their emergency department.
It shows a young boy kneeling by a wastepaper basket dressed in dungarees and a T-shirt.
He has discarded his Spiderman and Batman model figures in favour of a new favourite action hero–an NHS (National Health Service) nurse.
The nurse’s arm is outstretched and pointing forward in the fashion of Superman on a mission.
She is wearing a facemask, a nurse’s cape, and an apron with the Red Cross emblem (the only element of colour in the picture).
The artist left a note for hospital workers, which read: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.”
As this new SuperHero concept evolves with this crazy pandemic–many others will undoubtedly be added–from food growers, handlers, transport workers, teachers and parents homeschooling, etc–as well they all should. What a whole new unexpected perspective on what aspects of our current system is keeping us safe and hopefully healthy as we look forward to a better but different reality.
Looking back on several documentaries highlighting National Nurses Week this past week and now Mother’s Day–I cannot lie–I have such pride being a part of both of these wonderful roles.
Just before the COVID 19 shutdown, I joined a local Women’s Spirituality group–the following lovely and poignant writing was posted several weeks ago:
“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.” ~Kitty O’Meara
Hope springs eternal! One day at a time, Warriors!
Oops–can’t forget some viral humor: Back in my day you would cough to cover up a fart. Now, with COVID-19, you fart to cover up a cough.