Current Events Watch

As my comrade Bob “Radical Avenue” Betzen has so succinctly (I like words that start with “suc…”) acknowledges, October is indeed Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Busy month, this is. It’s not just about popcorn, breasts and window blinds after all. My bad, I should have pointed that out as well, but the popping had slowed, so I had to go. I hate burnt popcorn.

Bob says in his post, “violence begets violence.” That’s true, of course, whether it’s the domestic in-the-home type, or the global in-the-world type. I’ll leave that for Bob’s succinct elaboration at a future date.

In the sappy words of Burt Bacharach, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love!” (Now I’ll not be able to get that song out of my head.) Sappy or not, it’s true, of course, whether you’re talking about the Mom, Dad and their 2-1/2 kids family, or the greater, universal human family. Violence begets violence, but hugs also beget hugs. And knowing that one man can make a difference, I’m a fan of this one man, Juan Mann, who has definitely made a difference. If there were more Juan Menn in the world, we might not have such things to worry about like domestic violence. Or wars. Hugs are contagious.

Juan Mann (obviously a pseudonym, but a good one) is the Aussie who started the Free Hugs Campaign. Not that he had an agenda, or a plan … he was just pretty much down on his luck. He had nothing, had no one, and he just needed a hug, even if from a stranger in an airport. Well, his soliciting for hugs turned into quite a movement, and spread like a virus! Until, of course, the authorities decided the hugs were unacceptable and banned such behavior. I’ve said before, I’m not a fan of authority. Just wanted to reiterate.

In any event, it turns out that people apparently do like hugs, and Juan petitioned for 10,000 signatures to successfully overturn the hugging ban! Now the campaign has turned into quite a revolution. Other huggers are now wielding Free Hugs signs in public places all over the world. Bringing people together … literally.

I’m a crybaby, I’ll admit it. So the video on the Free Hugs Campaign homepage made me cry. In a good way, though. Watch it, read Juan Mann’s story, and I defy you not to at least tear up a bit.

It’s nice to know that with all of the violence and hate in the world and in our own homes, there is still good. It sometimes just takes someone to step up and prove that One Man can make a difference, by spreading love, sweet love. (I told you that song would be stuck in my head!)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is indeed upon us. And for the wives, the mothers, the children, and even the husbands and fathers who may be victims, know that the cycle of violence can be broken by making the choice to get out of the situation, however difficult. In leaving an abusive relationship, no matter how desperate you might feel, know that there are still some good people in the world. People who care, people who help, people who hug. Sometimes a hug is all it takes to give hope. And thanks to Juan, thousands of folks are just waiting to give you some love (sweet love … damn you, Burt!)

If you’re in a situation where you are inclined to flinch when arms are raised, get out. There will be others waiting for you with arms raised, too, but no need to flinch. They simply want to give you a hug, because Juan Mann made a difference.

free hugs, juan mann, free hugs campaign, domestic violence awareness