Demonstration, Marches, Cookie Making

The Women's March by Marietjie Henning (2014).  

See and Buy her paintings

“Colorful demonstrations and weekend marches are vital but alone are not powerful enough to stop wars. Wars will be stopped only when soldiers refuse to fight, when workers refuse to load weapons onto ships and aircraft, when people boycott the economic outposts of Empire that are strung across the globe. ” ― Arundhati Roy, Public Power in the Age of Empire

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love

“There must exist a paradigm, a practical model for social change that includes an understanding of ways to transform consciousness that are linked to efforts to transform structures.” ― bell hooks, Killing Rage: Ending Racism

In her essay about Xi Wangmu, Max Dashu writes that the goddess was seen as a personal savior, protector, and healer. The common people would parade barefooted with drums and chants to plead for her help. "This goddess movement alarmed the gentry, and the Confucian historian presented it in a negative light. He warned the danger of rising yin: females and the peasantry stepping outside their place." As with many uprisings from the poor, the wealthy and aristocrats put the people back into their social order by not sharing power -- not sharing love. 

A privilege I have as a citizen of the U.S. is the right to "freedom of speech;" the "right of the people peaceably to assemble" and the right "to petition the (my) Government for a redress of grievances."  On Saturday, I walked with the youth of American to end this gun violence. (SEE U.S. Constitution and read it.)

Marches in the U.S. have long been used to plea for justice and bring awareness to a cause. Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, organized child factory workers in 1903 to march in front of city hall in Kensington, Pennsylvania. She had them wave their maimed fingers and hands up in the air for all to see.  The children were able to change the laws; no one under 16 could work.  On the eve of President Wilson's inauguration (1913) the suffragist held a parade in Washington, DC which lead to violence and hospitalizing over 200 people. The police stood and watched as this happened.  It was to be a "march in a spirit of protest against the present political organization of society, from which women are excluded." It was the press coverage of the violence against the women which would be the key.  These women acted non-violently and this gained support from the public for their cause: to be able to vote.  However, it would take additional public acts to get congress to ratify the 19th amendment in 1920.  In May of 1963, African American children took to the street to help end segregation.  The press covered their march showing dogs and firehoses blasting water at the youth.  The youth wanted to make a difference and were willing to make a sacrifice that would change the course of history.

Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth

lithograph, Library of Congress.

My first "political march" was my annual city parade.  My brothers and I dressed dramatizing the painting "Sprit of 1776."  The picture of Molly Pitcher was out of the question: 1) the cannon was unattainable and 2) three kids under the age of 13 rolling a cannon 2.5 miles along the parade route would be problematic.  I was assigned to play to flute, because that was what I played in my 7th grade band.    We were celebrating our countries 200th year birthday.  My siblings and I knew our family's history: our ancestor was an officer in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.  We were  demonstrating the need for the continued fight for our freedoms identified in the Constitution.  We were growing up in the thick of the Cold War.  However, in high school my teacher asked, "do you think the Soviet Children want the same thing too."  It made me stop and think.  In the late seventies, people shied away from marching for a cause in my city.  I found another way; I wrote my first letter to my senator.

My next march political march wouldn't be until the late eighties.  I pushed my friend M in his wheelchair in the PRIDE parade: a straight woman and her dying gay friend.  M had always wanted to march in a PRIDE parade.  He wanted to publically state he belongs without being oppressed and ridiculed for his sexual orientation.  M was concerned about my helping him be in the parade; but isn't that the definition of a friend?  Isn't this how you show love?  Since that march, I've participated in women's marches, anti-war marches and this weekend: the youth's March for Our Lives.  There is something about being with a crowd wanting a change to make the U.S. a better and safe place and place where love is acted on.

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Where is the Love (2003)

Written by will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, Justin Timberlake, Printz Board, Michael Fratantuno and George Pajon
Performed by The Black Eyed Peas

~~~

Bree Newsome 

At one of the local colleges this past week, I heard Bree Newsome talk about art and social justice.  Newsome, an artist, musician, and social activist, is known for climbing the flag pole in Charlotte, North Carolina to pull down the confederate flag.  Her act of civil disobedience followed the massacre of 9 African American's during a prayer meeting.  Newsome stated she was arrested along with a friend (white man), but her act also led to the flag being taken permanently down.  A key take-away from her lecture was everyone is responsible for making our world, our country a better and safer place to live.  Not everyone is called to put their lives on the line like Newman, but they are called to do something.  Newsome used an analogy.  The road to creating the beloved community is really a highway with many lanes.  Some are called to lay down their lives, others to write letters, others marchers, others creating posters and art, and others providing food and comfort for these activists.  You are only required to do something.