Safety Measures

by Molly Moore
Molly with safety pins on her nipples

The prompt for this month, by Pieces of Jade, is Change and she asked

What does the word “change” inspire in you? Change of heart, sea change, perhaps the change in your pocket? Does it inspire fear or excitement? Dread or anticipation? Show me what the word means to you in an image!

I spent a long time pondering this challenge and to be quite honest with you up until yesterday I still had not come up with anything. Today (Saturday) Michael and I, along with some other friends, attended the March for Europe in London to join our voices with the other 40,000+ people who turned up to protest about the UK’s possible exit from the EU. I say possible, because right now parliament is in utter disarray and what is going to happen in the next week or so is completely up in the air let alone in the months to come.

The result of the EU has changed everything about my country. The stability that was common place has vanished. Not only financially but also socially. Being in London today helped to make me realise that I do live in a fine country. The people on the march were happy, friendly and welcoming. As we walked along I heard a huge number of different languages being spoken. The people in front of us at one point were Canadian, the man who heard Michael talking and came over to him because he was a fellow American, the Dutch girls with the funny sign, the group of gentlemen who were Portuguese. The list goes on and on. This is what my country is about. Diversity.

Then someone handed me a safety pin and I remembered that I now live in a country where some people feel the need to wear a symbol that shows they support and welcome the migrants in our communities. I put the pin into the cuff of my jumper. Of all the changes that the EU referendum has bought to my country the rise in racism is the one I’m the sadness and most horrified about and the one that I will fight against the most.

Molly with safety pins on her nipplesSinful Sunday badge

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22 comments

Modesty Ablaze July 2, 2016 - 11:54 pm

A wonderfully poignant photograph . . . making a wonderfully poignant statement!!!
Xxx – K

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Malflic July 2, 2016 - 11:57 pm

Fantastic you areare taking a stand. It is indeed strange times.

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Marie Rebelle July 2, 2016 - 11:59 pm

Tears filled my eyes reading your words. Racism… there is just nothing good to be said about it. It’s terrible that the political situation is so unstable and the news we hear about the racism incidents in the UK is terrible. I hope the UK stays in the EU and that this horrifying period can be put behind us.
Love you!

Rebel xox

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Molly Moore July 3, 2016 - 2:56 pm

I hope so too but I fear that those clinging onto power are determined to drive us over the cliff edge into the unknown for good. I would be lying if I said that thought does not scare the hell out of me

Mollyxxx

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Flip July 3, 2016 - 12:06 am

I feel so sad reading this post, because it’s one that should never have had to have been written.
I often say that I see myself as rather naive about how the world works, but was I really so naive to believe I lived in a country where racism and hatred was a minority thing? It is beyond my comprehension that we are in this situation at all.
I’m so disillusioned right now, and absolutely ashamed of being English.

Your image is stunning, beautiful, poignant.

Fucking hell, though Molly, we live in sad sad times

Flip xxx

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Molly Moore July 3, 2016 - 2:55 pm

Yes my darling Flip indeed we do. I look at my children and a few short weeks ago I thought they lived in a time of increasing tolerance and safety. Now I am not so sure. Like you, was I naive? Maybe… but that is definitely not the case any more.

Mollyxxx

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Camille July 3, 2016 - 2:19 am

Our passions must be aroused from time to time, to remind us what we believe. We admire your dedication, and the way you have chosen to apply it to your photography! Beautiful and powerful image, just as last week’s!

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Molly Moore July 3, 2016 - 2:53 pm

Thank you and you are absolutely right about being reminded of what is important to us.

Mollyxxx

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Self(ie) love | Understanding Flutterby July 3, 2016 - 2:36 am

[…] my post, though, I want to point everyone who reads this in the direction of Molly’s post Safety Measures. The image is beautiful, but the post makes me sad, or rather the fact it ever had to be written […]

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Eugene Noale July 3, 2016 - 3:26 am

It’s a stunning and gorgeous image of course and I appreciate the message so much.

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Molly Moore July 3, 2016 - 2:52 pm

Thank you

Mollyxxx

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Jo July 3, 2016 - 7:35 am

What a grand idea for nipple play and a classically beautiful photograph! It’s horrifying to me that so many people didn’t take this vote seriously; I’m glad that you and thousands of other people who did are marching and making your voices loud and clear.

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Molly Moore July 3, 2016 - 2:52 pm

I think that is one of the saddest things for me. The people who voted based on ignorance and fear. I understand it, I really do, but the media and politician did a horrible job or promoting that message rather than reassuring people.

Mollyxxx

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Kat July 3, 2016 - 9:11 am

Molly I followed you and Michael’s tweets about the march yesterday and if I could’ve been there I would. It’s a sad, sad situation and I hate that it has happened. But there are so many people who aspire in the right side, who reject racism and bigotry. Surely the good will prevail?
Oh and…
That image is simply exquisite.

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Molly Moore July 3, 2016 - 2:50 pm

I hope good with prevail Kat. I really do. However history shows us that sometimes good really has to fight to get to that point. I truly hope it never comes to that though

Mollyxxx

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Nerdy Dirty Girl July 3, 2016 - 3:26 pm

I so admire that you and Michael and all the others took part in the march yesterday. Personally, I’ve enjoyed your political posts on Twitter. Not the reason they’re happening of course, but because you are obviously so passionate about it. I’ve always been very involved politically here, but watching the Brexit fiasco and the ensuing rise of racism in both of our countries, I’m even more determined to keep that from happening here. Keep up the good fight. The image is exquisite! xx

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Hope Always July 3, 2016 - 6:07 pm

As you know I have a thing about labels and symbols etc . I like to think that my words and actions are my badge/symbol/label

However after having to remind a few colleagues at work over the last week or so, that the work place ethics ( and anywhere near me for that matter ) is equality and respect for all. This is a symbol I would happily wear, even if it just let people know that i can be approached and they would be welcomed in a positive manner.

Although I don’t think i would get away with wearing it on my nipple at work though…. but it gives me an idea for future events 🙂

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HappyComeLucky July 3, 2016 - 7:28 pm

Some of my work is with sections if the community for whom being treated with tolerance and respect is all too rare. Through this work, I was aware of some of the latent bigotry and racism that is still shown. The last week has been horrifying in how the levels of racism and hatred have been shown. I had hoped for more progress, more calm, more sharing and more education so that the fear of ‘other’ gradually becomes less through knowledge and education. I hoped that as fear lessened then the propensity to blame those ‘other’ would also lessen. We had climbed a mountain of progress but now we have an even bigger, more treacherous one to conquer.

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sub-Bee July 3, 2016 - 9:28 pm

I winced at first thinking you had actually been pierced, then my brain clicked into gear and I relaxed and realised I love everything about the image. However, I also hate everything about the reasons for it.

Years ago people wore badges and symbols so they could be segregated from the rest of society, now we have to wear a symbol to show we don’t want to segregate people. I’ve been lucky enough I haven’t witnessed any of the racism first hand but it sickens me how quickly and easily it has reared its ugly head.

I’m so glad you went to the march yesterday, I would loved to have gone. I can’t believe how many turned out for it and I’m certain twice as many again wanted to be there but like me, couldn’t make it. Thank you for representing us!

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Jade July 4, 2016 - 3:17 pm

Such a beautiful image – such a sad state of affairs. I hope both our countries get their collective heads out of their asses and wise up. I’m appalled that we, as a race, seem to have renounced the things that make us civilized human beings, although, like you, when I witness these pockets of loving, tolerant, accepting people, I feel a glimmer of hope again.

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Exposing40 July 4, 2016 - 9:18 pm

An utterly beautiful photograph and I throughly agree with your words. Xxx

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Velvet Rose July 5, 2016 - 11:49 pm

Racism, no matter the reason, should ever be tolerated. Your image is both relevant and poignant as well as being beautifully erotic.

Velvet xx

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