Among the alternative measures that have been developed to deal with confinement, several of us have learned to use our social networks in virtual mode. Indeed, Zoom, Teams and company have been widely used in team meetings for work. During these virtual meetings, many have to speak. And to wait our turn or ask a question, it is necessary to raise a virtual hand.
However, once our turn to speak has passed, this hand must be lowered in order to pass the floor to another person. However, many forget to lower their virtual hand. It is therefore at this moment that the group leader asks the distracted guest if it is a forgotten “old hand” or a new question that is going to be asked. The expression “old hand” therefore appeared in this context of pandemic time.
In concrete and non-virtual reality, old hands also exist. These raised hands can translate demands that people have been raising for a long time. Claims and questions that never find an answer.
The amazing thing about these old hands up is that we feel like the longer the questions are asked, the less interest they get. But it is not. We must understand that these old hands must not be lowered because they are dated, but because they have found an answer.
Old hands are everywhere, from the point of view of ecology, society, justice and politics.
The old hands of the elderly who live alone in CHSLDs and require adequate care.
The old hands of children of the DPJ, heavily afflicted with unhappy experiences.
The old hands of cancer patients, contesting the postponement of their operations for lack of doctors busy caring for their unvaccinated patients.
The old hands of middle-class fathers and mothers, burdened with taxes without being entitled to the services of a family doctor.
The old hands of the poor pointing in the direction of the inaccessible paradise islands in which the capital of the richest is buried.
The old hands of the South supporting their sick children who claim the right to clean water. This same water wasted by their neighbors to the North busy watering their driveways.
At this Christmas time, we will lower our virtual “old hands” as we will come together to feast. So let’s take advantage of this time when the love of the other is celebrated to finally also think about lowering the old real hands. The very ones who no longer have the strength to clench their fists and beat the pace that leads to change. Let us collectively give ourselves the time to look at them, to grasp them and to appreciate them. And let’s not be in such a rush to turn them off.