All across the world women came
together yesterday to march in protest of Donald Trump's blatantly
misogynistic statements about women. Protesting in a peaceable
manner is constitutionally sanctioned and a time honored method used
to show unified disapproval, yet I see posts disapproving of such
protests. This is so curious.
For Americans, if they understand the
Constitution and the origins of the creation of this country, to
disparage civil demonstration is for them to disparage the rebels
during the Revolutionary War, to criticize the Suffragettes, look
down upon the marches against the war in Vietnam – protests that
changed history. Too often, the years between notable public decries
have been beset by lengths of apathy. And in that apathy grew
practices that harmed minorities and the middle/lower classes. What I
have observed, typically, is people who criticize those who take
action, who exercise their rights to protest are the very people who
do little to engage in political expression. They do not protest,
write letters, make phone calls, run for office, or do much other
than complain and criticize.
Trump supporters suggest that protests
toward this President are Un-American and disrespectful of the
office. There is a very fine, thread thin line between the President
and the Presidency, and there were times in history as there is at
present when the person holding the title has not earned the respect
bestowed upon the office. And respecting a President who displays
little courtesy and civility toward the country and civilians is a
tough request. Now, people should not stoop to a crass, violent low
as they would then risk becoming what they disdain, but critics would
do well to distinguish between peaceable assembly and behavior
encouraged by this President during his campaign. I would say that
the marches today displayed a tone rarely shown by this President.
So, to those who criticize protests and
protestors, who disdain peaceable expressions of opposing opinions
....get used to it. To the Fox broadcasters, Piers Morgan, Michael
Flynn and others who needed to broadcast their stereotypical 1960's
anti-women sentiments, the marches and those who support them just
high-fived because you validated the very reason for the protest.
President Trump has mobilized Americans
as they have not been mobilized since Vietnam, and here's hoping it
is a healthy, sustained protest.
