Empirical Letters

The “Be Safe” mantra seemingly emerged in the beginning parts of the pandemic and has not left. All across the world on American televisions, magazines , community billboards, “Be safe” is highly visualized and publicized. Just like culture & trends citizens begin to adopt this language in their everyday psyche. As this transformation was occurring, I continue to live my life and provide for my household. Seemingly, not paying much attention to the process of be safe it became more and more evident of its permanent effect, that soon The utterance of those words, slipped through my lips with a hesitation that followed.

“Being safe” in general, is a complex system to navigate. From theft, to car crashes, domestic violence, assault and countless other events, what is it to “be safe” and how can we do this? I pondered on this a lot, I’m I not safe? Does someone know something I don’t? Why is it always strangers saying this? Maybe if I drive the speed limit more, drink extra water, schedule my day to the hour and minute I can accomplish this! Yes, I became fixated—— Eventually, I gathered up enough confidence to ask a customer representative that was assisting me, Why did you tell me to be safe at the end of the call? He answered “since the nature of the call is surrounded by potential hazards he wanted to ensure I would be safe. Jokingly, yet seriously I referenced rapper Cardi B, “well didn’t Cardi B say”, “it ain’t safe, it ain’t safe, it ain’t safe”? (Actual song is No Limit by G Eazy) He chuckled, we hung up the phone and we went about our day.

The extent of our statements can be interpreted in many different ways that can be triggering. Yet, for others they may come up with another interpretation that allows the be safe mantra to shape culture.Be safe and the reasoning of how one will enforce, display and conceptualize this mantra will surely vary. As I am confident in the truth that perception varies I am still perplexed , for American history, notability world history we have all seen a share of unsafe events and to now have to be safe , have it branded what are we truly saying to one another? As I have not fully reached the understanding of be safe as a normal part of our goodbyes, I have now internally realized I have never felt safe and probably won’t.

This literary post examines while allowing cross examination of language and culture through a self- appointed perspective.