March for Life

3/27/2018

March for Life

When I looked at pictures from the March for Life events I saw black and white and brown and every skin tone imaginable. I saw dreadlocks and crew cuts, braids and bangs, tattoos and tans. I saw people who might trace their heritage to any and every part of the globe. I saw people of different religions and cultural traditions united by a common purpose, a higher purpose than themselves. I saw youth and energy and promise. I saw love and empathy and a desire to make the world better. I saw the future. I saw America.

The contrast is stark. When I look at pictures from the White House, from this administration I see old men, white men, angry men. I see hate and greed and a disdain for others. I see ignorance exceeded only by arrogance. I see fear and rot. I see the past.

The current generation of engaged young people is a sign of hope, but beware, we have been here before. Remember peace and love? In the 1960's and 70's millions of baby boomers rallied to stop the war, to support civil rights and women's' rights. They marched in the streets and worked in the political system. They registered people to vote who couldn't, they worked to end segregation, they demanded justice and equality. They were black and white together.

Fifty years later we look back and see endless war; an education system more segregated than ever and that is under-funded and under attack; a relentless campaign to disenfranchise voters; women harassed, assaulted, underpaid and denied control of their own bodies; Blacks shot in the street and locked in prisons. We see that greed and hate and fear and willful ignorance has often replaced peace and love, equality and justice. Will this new generation get us back on track? History teaches that a better future is not assured.

2 Comments

Violet Cauthon and Ron Cauthon

3/28/2018 08:53:14 am

We watched a different kind of protest March 24; a protest that largely featured young people who had directly been affected by gun violence, a protest led by them, speakers who were not politicians nor paid organizers. We were impressed by the direct messaging: "We will vote you out!" We have hope - but perhaps less optimism. The past two years of t-rump has beat down our optimism. But we discussed this at a dinner of retirees Sunday evening, whether the movement will die. Ron and I believe it will not. We believe their fierce advocacy for change will be a force for this nation's future.

Murphy Bill

3/28/2018 11:29:57 am

A couple of comments.
Here at the march in Albany there were little if any people of color. My wife and I commented on just how white it was. However, one of the speakers spoke quite eloquently about the gun violence that people of color experience on a daily basis. Did it get through?

Secondly, you can say that the protest of the 60's and 70's didn’t change much but I would have to disagree. Some things have changed for the better and surely some for the worse but I would say, for example, the “me too” movement wouldn’t exist today without the groundwork that was layed 50+ years ago. That is just one example. I remain optimistic.

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