A Civic Education

Yesterday I attended my first political rally and protest in Washington, DC; despite having lived in the general area for all but three years of my life. I was at the Gathering of Eagles rally and their counter-protest. I heard a lot of rhetoric, many moving stories of parents who had lost children in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many times over the message that victory is the only acceptable answer to the war on terror.

I'm a very sentimental person. I cried through almost the entire rally. For the inspiring stories of personal courage, and the tragic stories of loss of life. I cried as the crowd chanted U-S-A. Then, I moved to the parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue, and took up a spot by the barricade and waited for the anti-war protesters to pass. I had been given an American flag by one of the Eagles, and I was there to show my support to the troops and their leaders, my leaders. I admit, that I was swayed by some of the rhetoric- I had an opportunity to hold a sign that read "Welcome Bin Laden Fan Club" and took it. No one asked me why, I'm not sure how many on my side cared why, but none of the people with the anti-war protest asked why. I had an answer to the unasked "Why?"

"If you aren't a fan of Bin Laden and al-Qaida, why do you do things that support that cause and undermine America's cause?"

I was flipped the bird, I was called names, yes, it's unpleasant but I'm a big girl. I didn't call names back. I didn't flip anyone off. One of the protesters defaced my sign with a sticker. It was a postal address label that said, "I AM A HOMO RIGHT WING PIECE OF SHIT". On one hand, I was delighted. I'd obviously struck a nerve. On the other hand, I am not fecal matter. I am Homo sapiens sapiens, but I am not a lesbian. I have friends who are lesbians, I have friends who are bisexual and I have a friend who is transgender. The longer I have to think about the I AM A HOMO part of that sticker, the angrier I become. Not at the accusation that I may be homosexual. But that someone marching with the liberals, who are "supposed" to be friendly to homosexuals, and are frequently heard speaking out against and defining "hate speech," using it.

Another thing that struck me was this: many of the male anti-war protesters wore bandannas over their faces, and I had to wonder why. I have since wondered if that was strictly legal, but that's beside the point. Why show up if you don't believe in your cause? This is the United States of America, you have the right to assemble peaceably, you may express your opinion openly- without fear of reprisal by the government. If you fear to be associated with a particular cause, there's a simple solution: don't join it.

I would like to exhort EVERYONE with an opinion, no matter what it may be: when you are out in public, protesting, counter-protesting, whatever: mind your manners. There's no reason to call names, there's no reason to use foul language, and everyone keep your hands to yourself and on your own property. Oh, and do please express your opinion. That's a big part of what makes the United States of America the greatest country in the world.