"If we are to live together in peace, we must come to know each other better."
Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States
The crowd of workers and supporters stood proud, although at times, hesitantly. Not all people walking by uttered disparaging remarks. In fact, that one man was the only one I personally heard do so. As I said in my last article, and first part of this pair, it is the minority of people who want to alienate (pardon the pun) and criminalize the immigrant population. Most of us are either related, more tolerant, or have a different view of America than the Minutemen and Lou Dobbs. At least in my anecdotal experience.
This tint of apprehension kept announcing itself to me throughout the day.
I hope even those who sneer at the thought of allowing these human beings our own laws and protections can understand the courage it took for these people to do what they did. I know many don't. Even people I consider very pleasant acquaintances of mine sometimes seemed completely oblivious to the plight of these people, their reasons for marching, or how it could do any good to force "many businesses across the country to all but shut down for the day because their workers have simply skipped to go march in their local cities that day," as Dave G. (an online acquaintance of mine), wrote in his blog. "In a more personal way, I dislike this march for one very simple reason--it incredibly inconveniences me," he goes on to say. He bolsters his argument with complaints about the parking, the noise, and his personal indignant non-understanding of why White people should not get marches, too, yet ought to suffer "all of the "celebrations" of "black pride," "brown pride," and all of these other things...."
Dave and I did have a long conversation about our ethnicities, our thoughts on the issue, and finally Civil Disobedience. I told him why I felt you cannot agree to a "Free Speech Zone," or announce your protests (as he wanted the Latinos to have done more even than they did?), and why that would nullify the effect completely. We did come around, I hope, to an understanding of why "these people" matter, and what it might feel like, all 'round, if we tried to view things a bit more expansively. I don't know if we ended up agreeing. But we ended it with very civil and thoughtful words, and open energy. And that made me happy. I don't plan to encourage any hate, and so I won't even quote the easily-referenced hate mails and posts I have at my fingertips that were far less civil than that conversation. As I said in Fear and Courage, Part 1, I think much of this racism I encounter lately is simply fear, or even just non-thought. Laziness and knee-jerk reaction. I know I am not at my best, during my knee-jerk reactions. I would offer other the chance to rethink theirs.
Standing in a line, to be photographed holding a sign announcing their villainous intention to join the ranks of legal Americans is a huge act of bravery. Leaving their job to show their support and to demonstrate what economic power and contribution they have is a very courageous act. Some know they may lose their jobs. But they are willing to sacrifice for the larger ideas of America. Most of these people encounter a condescending or racist attitude one or more times in a day. They have often been trained to feel as if they have no right in this culture, to be proud or vocal in such a way. Yet, they feel they are doing good things here; they are proud of their motives, and their contribution, and they want to be a visible part of the country they help support.
"Everyone in the world smiles in the same language."
Mexican-American Proverb
This courage and pride, to me, is at the heart of the strongest parts and time periods of this Nation. This passion for unity, fair treatment, and action is the core of what I was taught America should be. This is the same courage and will to self-actualization that fueled the original patriots on their drive to escape tyranny, or so I was taught by the schools of my youth. Today, I am told that actions like the Boston Tea Party are, without a doubt, terrorist acts. Today the Monarchy would never stand for such rejection of Tyranny or anything else. We know that the American government spies on peace activists because they perceive them to be a threat to the War on Terror. Perhaps it only makes sense that these demonstrations are also viewed as threats, in that light. However, I see them as a logical and beautiful expression of the human spirit, and one that America ought to encourage.
One demonstrator, "J.T. ", who was standing in solidarity of one of the local Unions told me he thought that the illegal aliens currently in the country "should be allowed to stay."
"They've made it this far," he continued. "They do contribute, and I hope today's events show that."
The giant Needle and Button statue that stands at the foot of the World Apparel Center punctuated his words, as did the audible chants of We Are America! on the happy faces of the crowd around us.
To see more photos of this event, visit the author's site.
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