Don't Be Intimidated By the Red Tape

Last week, some friends and I, along with thousands of other Andrea Bocelli fans, ventured into Central Park for an evening of music under the stars. It was raining. It was cold.  It was crowded. As one who frequents outdoor concerts, I was fully prepared for partially obstructed views and perhaps getting my toes literally stepped on as concert goers made their way through the maze of blankets to and from their seating area.  What caught me totally off-guard, however, was the sight of a small group of people who decided to keep the rest of us out by creating a barrier around themselves made of red plastic tape.  That 150 (or so) sq ft of land belonged to them, the privileged few. Each time a shut-out even looked in their direction, they lifted the tape higher, making it even harder for folks to get through, protecting their place and keeping us in ours.

I sat there and watched person after person turn around and go the other way because they were afraid or didn't want to be bothered to challenge the red tape. Well, I was mad as hell and I wasn't going to take it any more.  It was time for a revolution!  Seeing red, literally and figuratively, I got up from my own little safe haven amongst my friends and proceeded to cut the red tape, breaking down their barrier of privilege. It was evident to me by the thunderous applause that I received, that EVERYone around them felt the same way I did, but NObody would challenge them. I guess they were also hoping that the NYPD would do their job.

Never one to miss a lesson, I lay in my bed that night thinking, how many times have we been held back or worse yet, have held ourselves back because we were afraid to challenge the red tape? That license to start our own business, the certification needed for career advancement , affordable health care, financial aid - all treasures protected by barriers of red tape, daring us to cut through, all the while hoping that we will give up and turn around.

Red tape means keep out, stay in your place, don't even think about it.  I say, "CUT THE RED TAPE!!"