To my white, suburban friends who have expressed anger, annoyance, and bewilderment at the peaceful protests going on across the country... think beyond your lifespan. 100 years ago, women did not have the right to vote. They marched in the streets of NYC. Would you have written angry letters about those selfish women blocking traffic for no reason? In 1917, a silent march shut down 5th avenue in NYC to protest violence against black Americans. Violent attacks, murders with no consequences. Still annoyed at their protesting? 1969 - taking over the Sheeps Meadow in Central Park to protest drafting young people to fight in the Vietnam War. How old are your kids? Draft age? 1970 - Women march for equality down 5th avenue. 1970 - The first-ever gay pride march through the streets of Greenwich Village. At that time still classified by the AMA as a mental illness. Suicides and drug abuse were the norm to deal with it. 1989 - Protestors from Act-Up were arrested staging a die-in outside of NY City Hall. Thousands of people were dying of AIDS related illnesses and President Ronald Reagan had refused to even mention AIDS. 2010 - Marriage Equality march. (Four years later - look at how many states now have marriage equality) NOW 2014 - Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers or all races take to the streets - day after day - shutting down the Brooklyn Bridge and West Side Highway. Some of you posted that they were being selfish and irresponsible. If you have all of your rights - being late to a meeting because of a protest may seem like the end of the world. Imagine if you had to prep your children on how to avoid being killed day to day - in a simple traffic stop or any random interaction with police. Protesting is the only historically effective way of getting anything done in the United States. You may be late, but you are still alive. Check yourself. Check your privilege. Remember who fought for what you take for granted.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 18:46:15 +0000
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