This morning I heard of an embryonic movement to wear a
safety pin as a sign that the wearer is someone with whom others may feel
safe. It is a clever idea. That of God in each of us wants those who do
not feel safe to feel safe; those who, having done no wrong, do not feel
accepted to feel accepted; those who, having acted with courtesy and respect
toward others, do not feel loved to feel loved.
But is such a sign needed? If the
sign means we are safe company for some people and not safe company for others,
that is not what is needed these days.
