Security and personal safety experts have organized “Situational Awareness” according to four basic color-coded categories:
White–This is when you are not really paying attention to what is going on around you. You are relaxed, maybe texting or listening to headphones. You are not conscious of who is around you or what they are doing. This is obviously the most vulnerable state, and unfortunately, in the era of smart phones, it is the state most of us are in when we are out in the street.
Yellow– This is when you are still relaxed, but you are aware of your environment. You notice the people around you, and have some awareness of who may be behind you, and what is going on in your immediate vicinity.
Orange– This is when you have noticed (while in the “yellow stage”) someone or something going on that may seem unusual and potentially threatening. Your attention level is raised and you are more alert about everything going on around you, with particular attention towards whatever caused your interest or concern, and you internally prepare for possible conflict
Red– This is when you have perceived that someone or something is, in fact, a threat and conflict appears likely. You will monitor the threatening situation very closely, anticipating what may happen and preparing yourself for how to deal with it
For Muslims anywhere, but particularly in the West, it is critical to never fall below the “Yellow” stage when you are outside. You must be consciously aware of your surroundings, who is around you, and what is going on.
If you are out in the street, please, do not walk and text, do not listen to headphones, and Sisters, I know the hijab can sometimes obstruct your peripheral vision, so try to remember to turn your head to look right and left to see what is happening around you when you are out.
For revolutionaries and opposition activists, I would recommend trying to stay in an even higher level of awareness as much as possible.
#الوعي_الظرفي
#Situational_Awareness