For years, I kept a yellowed and tattered postcard of John Lennon standing in front of the Statue of Liberty next to a patch of grass with a small sign on a stick that read "keep off the grass".
There he was, standing between the grand scale symbol of acceptance of all humanity and a small sign of a direct and absolute command. I was struck by this glaring mirror image of American life.
Much later, on public television, a group of academics debated the blind acceptance of societal norms in America. One scholar mentioned the proverbial "keep off the grass" sign. Why would the scholarly argue such a subject? It is part of our civic mystery.
What does one do when their path meets this sign? Do we blindly obey? Do we stop and wonder who is asking us to keep off the grass and then seek them out for negotiation? Maybe we can negotiate weekends on the grass or every other Saturday. Should we step on the grass in open defiance of such an oppressive order?
We face these "keep off the grass moments" almost daily. Whether it is about marriage, love and sex, divorce, having children or how we choose to deal with political and religious expectations. Should we choose career or family? What should we wear, eat or drive? Should we stay with the pack for safety? Is this succor and surcease or oppression?
HapytamyNYC says, "Follow your bliss, remember bed peace and please, keep off the grass".
