No images? Click here Why would a star ever be afraid of the dark?Last week, many on our planet commemorated an ancient miracle, where a little bit of lamp oil lasted for eight, full nights. Last night, the winter solstice ushered in the longest night of the year under the bright celestial conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. In a few days, millions will celebrate a sacred gift of love and hope. Presented to the world at night (and in the humblest of settings) a brilliant star shone overhead. Nighttime has always been an important element of the human experience. It is when many rest and reflect. The night is also when people work, celebrate, and create. Despite mythical monsters under the bed or lingering in closets, the dark is not something to be afraid of. It is to be claimed. Protected. Advocated. Besides, as the song goes, why would a star ever be afraid of the dark? In 2021, we will emerge from a dark period in our history. The sociable joys, cultural vibrancy, and economic productivity of the night have been disrupted and damaged. 24HourDallas is a new, all-volunteer non-profit organization created to guide Dallas’ reclamation and reimagination of its nighttime economy. Our areas of focus are economics, culture, safety, placemaking, and equity. At night. London, Berlin, Dublin, Amsterdam, Madrid, Sydney, Manchester, Tokyo, Detroit, New York City, Montreal, Washington DC, Vienna, Zurich, and more than thirty other international cities are focusing on their post-COVID nighttime recovery. Dallas can also shine. Help us help our nights bounce back stronger, more sustainable, more resilient, and more inclusive than before. Restaurants, hotels, arts and cultural facilities, sociable districts, nighttime industries, and their related workforce need our support. Be the light. Be the star. Make a tax-deductible donation to 24HourDallas. (We have three innovative initiatives that need support) |