What do you think when you look at this image? Why is this child alone? Where is the parent? It can provoke such feelings. Just looking at the toddler on the cold hard stairs of a major downtown building just feet away from a busy street would leave one to jump to conclusions and form an opinion on parenting. That would be taking this situation out of context. Context is defined as the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.

This image was captured after observing a woman with a stroller and this toddler. The mother or caregiver had to take the stroller up the stairs first and then come back for the toddler. The toddler seeing the person of trust began crawling the stairs toward her. This scene certainly captured my attention. Since it was known the child was not in any danger the photo was set up and taken.

It seems like these days of the 24 hour news cycle, the news business thrives on reporting a story as soon as a situation unfolds which can lead to information that is taken out of context. Jumping to conclusions before knowing the facts can lead to misinformation and unnecessary worry or angst. It takes such discipline to keep from jumping to conclusions. It is very easy to do this though. News organizations certainly do not own this. Daily we are bombarded with information. To be slow to judge and form opinions is difficult. Fortunately, it is possible to do.

“The greatest felony in the news business today is to be behind, or to miss a big story. So speed and quantity substitute for thoroughness and quality, for accuracy and context. The pressure to compete, the fear somebody else will make the splash first, creates a frenzied environment in which a blizzard of information is presented and serious questions may not be raised.”
Carl Bernstein

Peace.