My husband, Walter, quiet retired on me. He has embraced the life of a retiree and has pursued his artistic passion - especially chainsaw wood carving. He's always got something going on, whether it be an art project or something in the home improvement genre. I'm still working full time and am pretty happy when I have nothing going on, but Walter has convinced me I need a hobby. I am the queen of failed hobbies, but that's a different story.
I think lately my hobby has been protesting our current administration. I'm in good company. Most of the other protesters I encounter are other middle/late aged white women. This used to tick me off. Where is the outrage from all the other demographics? I've decided the younger folks are outraged but they're working 2nd jobs, or raising children. Minorities are too afraid they might be targeted for the color of their skin. I don't know WHERE the menfolk are. (Maybe they are pursuing their retirement hobbies.)
My adult daughter says I am not attending protests, but more rallies. I think she's right. I have not disrupted anything. I have never been arrested (although a dear friend and attorney has promised that if that should happen, he will bail me out before I have to poop in front of the other inmates.) I've never been counter-protested, tear gassed or even warned to stop what I am doing.
I have been to "protests" where bottled water and sunscreen were distributed. I can't imagine the citizens who protested the Vietnam war let a little dehydration or sunburn deter them. Have we gotten spoiled in this country?
Last year, my daughter attended a "protest" with me that was held in our suburban town. She was the youngest there by far, but she certainly did channel her inner hippie with round, John Lennon sunglasses, swirly pants, and a grungy tee shirt. While we lined the corner of the main street, a city police car rolled through. I thought for sure there would be some choice words or gestures. (Today's police get a bad rap thanks to the masked officers with ICE.) Instead, the crowd cheered them through. My daughter leaned over and said, "Man, is this white!"
Yesterday, I attended a larger protest in Washington, DC, and I was thrilled to see a pretty diverse crowd compared to what I've been seeing. I guess things have gotten outrageous enough to spark outrage everywhere.
Sorry to get political on Day 1.
Yay! I'm so glad you are playing along this year. I can hear Allie saying those words, perhaps rolling her eyes under her hippy glasses.
ReplyDeleteAs one political writer to another: Don’t be sorry. Any pearl clutches in this space can slink away. You’ll find others of like-mindedness here. And sadly, this regime is making the rounds in places you’d think they’d ignore. Boise for one is starting to experience some of what Portland and Minneapolis have. You are showing up and being present. That matters, even if, especially if, the crowd is all white. White people made this mess, and it’s our job to fix it. BTW, Denise Krebs has become quite the activist and wrote a political post today, too. I’m sure I’ll get there sooner rather than later.
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