On April 4, the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, I’m going to promote safe socks. Your heard me. Safe socks. S-o-c-k-s. I’ll roll up one leg of my blue jeans, show off my tomato-red sock with the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) logo, and when people ask me what the heck I’m doing, I’ll tell them.
“I’m lending a leg for the day,” I’ll say, “on behalf of landmine survivors, some of whom no longer possess all the limbs they had at birth. I’m demonstrating my solidarity with all those striving to make landmines as extinct as Tyrannosaurus rex.”
Now, I live in a conservative community, so I might get some strange looks. Yet over sixty countries contain buried, unexploded landmines–at least 110 million devices total. Each year, landmines maim or kill over 4,000 people, approximately 25% of the victims children. The first step in solving this horrendous problem is communicating the fact a problem exists. That’s why the United Nations, landmine survivors, and various anti-landmine groups devised campaigns to promote global awareness and action on April 4th.
As an author of science fiction and fantasy, I’m used to receiving odd glances. Talking about problems is something I can do. Plus, the money I shelled out for my crimson socks will help Mines Advisory Group (MAG) render safe two square meters of mine-infested land.
Thus, I invite you to roll up one of your pant legs on April 4th. Roll up a sleeve if you don’t wear jeans or slacks. Even if safe socks aren’t your thing. Relay the message to eradicate landmines.
Warm wishes,
Laurel Anne Hill
Moderator of the Minds Clearing Land Mines WordPress Blog
