Let's Not Return to "Normal"

One thing is certain about these uncertain times: they are indeed unprecedented. They have turned the global economy on its ear; revealed the true value of those parts we assumed were worth less to the whole; and they exposed a system that many turned a blind eye to. What will we do next? Many have used the phrase “return to normal,” while others have declared there will be a “new normal.” The truth is, whatever comes next will also be unprecedented. So what if we threw out “normal” and instead shot for EXTRAORDINARY?

Normal had many of us prioritizing work over family, rushing out the front door with a half-baked hug and kiss for those we loved only to give more time to sports or pop-culture chatter in the office hallways. Staying up late nights huddled over a laptop instead of cuddled with a spouse listening to how their day went.

Normal had most of us bypassing the janitor without so much as a “hello” or taking our coffee from the counter without so much as a “thank you.” Jumping in and out of taxis, on and off of busses and trains without ever breaking focus from our devices to make eye contact with someone else.

Normal had all of us disregarding marginalized populations, saying things like “Why are YOU like that?” instead of recognizing that the conditions we placed them in were designed to keep them there.

But what could extraordinary do? Extraordinary could allow us to prioritize family over work. It’s the company that encourages its employee to wait at the bus stop with their kids and then come into the office. It’s the job that recognizes that the “9-to-5” is based on the old factory days and that flexibility in the work schedule is necessary for some. It’s the company that trusts its remote employees but understands that there may be occasional distractions. It’s the employer that understands that quality of time is more important (and productive) than quantity of time. Extraordinary is recognizing that happy employees will in fact work harder and smarter.

Extraordinary could allow us to be more thoughtful, generous and compassionate. It’s saying a kind word first—and not only when one is thrown at us. It’s a simple “hello” or “thank you” to the person in a service industry—not because they served you what you wanted, but because they are not invisible. It’s recognizing that the adage “the customer is always right” has gone to some of our heads as customers. It’s understanding that each person’s role is important—if there was no custodian, there’d be no clean restrooms for you to use; if there were no teachers, you’d be the default substitute; if there were no nurses, the doctor would never see you. Extraordinary would have us truly believing that we, as a whole, are greater than the sum of our parts, but that those parts are all important for the function of the whole.

Extraordinary could allow us to break down our oppressive systems through the engagement of more of the unaffected. It’s understanding and reflecting on our own identities, biases and privileges. It’s recognizing that those in economic despair have limited access to many of the resources we take for granted. It’s being brave enough to ask “What is meant by ‘systemic inequality or ‘systemic racism’?” AND “How can I personally help?”. It’s knowing what a “food desert” is and that it shouldn’t be a thing in a country that has to destroy crops during a pandemic to avoid “wasting” them. It’s knowing what “redlining” is, why it was done and what its lasting effect has been. It’s questioning employment inequality and what your company is doing to combat it. It’s calling your congressperson or senator about the conditions in an area where you don’t live. Extraordinary is allyship to the nth degree: saying and doing what must be said and done for those who don’t have the power to do so.

That’s something worth returning to.