The Trump protest marches (Women’s March, Muslim March, Tax March, Science March, Climate March, Immigration March, and March for Truth) in Washington DC, wind through the Capitol streets, formless, like an amoeba. The people in the streets appear as the caricature of American before 2016: diverse, well intended, optimistic and engaged. Now, marchers yell chants in unison, but with little conversation, except occasional comments about the sad strangeness that we need to march to express fundamental wishes. Demands for truth, advancement of science, and freedom of the press reinforce how quickly we’re losing fundamental rights and values – too basic to actively cherish. They were simply our gifts as Americans. The marches are remarkable for the “spirit” shown, but there are few signs of actions being taken or planned that will keep us from losing our fundamental rights and values. We wonder if or how the resistance will develop from a movement that expresses our feelings about what has happened to one that is instrumental in changing what has happened?
Women's March January 21, 2017
Science March April 22, 2017
Climate March April 29, 2017
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March Against Muslim Ban February 4, 2017
Tax March - April 15, 2017
March for Truth June 3, 2017
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Throughout the country, millions of Americans are “walking the walk” to show their reaction the destruction of their country. Signs read, “things are so bad, introverts are now marching” and “I wrote my sign on a whiteboard because I have to update it so often”. You are surrounded by people with walkers and people pushing strollers, people with wet wool pussy hats, people with pictures of their grandchildren or pictures of the earth. Some are struggling, some are pushing others in wheelchairs. Between the signs that warn, rant or amuse, are vendors who cook and sell foods from around the world – providing aromas to remind us of an almost literal melting pot with curry, jerk chicken, kababs, tacos, pizza and pho. These aromas also remind us that we are not alone and that together we have the potential to redeem our fundamental rights and values.
In a recent march, a woman in her 70s was winded and panting after performing some leaps and pirouettes. She may have been a dancer in earlier years – may have leaped and twirled in protest marches of the 60s. Now she looks winded and somewhat comical. But, her strained muscles and all the efforts of her fellow marchers serve no purpose except to “let off steam.” Her efforts do not move the resistance toward its goal of stopping Trump and his Republican accessories.
The speakers give us more reminders of what we love about the US, what we fear about fascism, or comical threats that make us feel temporarily part of something effective. Few speakers use the opportunity to teach or guide those gathered to what the “road ahead” may include. At the DC March for Truth on June 3, Linda Sarsour told the crowd to engage with those around us more – to discuss the importance of our views to our relatives and neighbors. It is a start, but seems slight compared to the daily affront on democracy.
With Republican executive, legislative, and judicial branches all greedily using their power to reframe American society, getting from expressive to instrumental resistance will be difficult. many small camps of resistance need to collaborate with each other to fund Democrats, increase voter turnout and reduce voter suppression. Resisters will have to move from expressive to instrumental actions. There is frankly no way to ease the authoritarian surge unless Democrats are elected in 2018 and 2020. Potential voters who are exhausted from the rancor may consider staying home to show their antipathy for the process, but the slow overthrow of the US government by Trump and the GOP will continue until Republicans no longer control all the major instruments of government.
In a recent march, a woman in her 70s was winded and panting after performing some leaps and pirouettes. She may have been a dancer in earlier years – may have leaped and twirled in protest marches of the 60s. Now she looks winded and somewhat comical. But, her strained muscles and all the efforts of her fellow marchers serve no purpose except to “let off steam.” Her efforts do not move the resistance toward its goal of stopping Trump and his Republican accessories.
The speakers give us more reminders of what we love about the US, what we fear about fascism, or comical threats that make us feel temporarily part of something effective. Few speakers use the opportunity to teach or guide those gathered to what the “road ahead” may include. At the DC March for Truth on June 3, Linda Sarsour told the crowd to engage with those around us more – to discuss the importance of our views to our relatives and neighbors. It is a start, but seems slight compared to the daily affront on democracy.
With Republican executive, legislative, and judicial branches all greedily using their power to reframe American society, getting from expressive to instrumental resistance will be difficult. many small camps of resistance need to collaborate with each other to fund Democrats, increase voter turnout and reduce voter suppression. Resisters will have to move from expressive to instrumental actions. There is frankly no way to ease the authoritarian surge unless Democrats are elected in 2018 and 2020. Potential voters who are exhausted from the rancor may consider staying home to show their antipathy for the process, but the slow overthrow of the US government by Trump and the GOP will continue until Republicans no longer control all the major instruments of government.