Can I be honest? I’m so tired of these no kings rallies and protests. I honestly eyeroll every time I see a march, if it’s just a march.
Hear me out….
Gathering in solidarity is not bad. It’s an awesome thing to see the numbers of people who agree on these important topics. But standing together with some signs doesn’t do sh*t in regard to actual change. Maybe if all those people gather together and collectively got on the phone with their representatives calling over and over until each and every one of them had voiced their concerns, I might say that it’s of value. Maybe if those marches landed at the homes of the people who are creating these policies or outside their children’s schools. Nonviolent, not law breaking, but doing enough in large enough numbers to make people feel uncomfortable, and that they can’t just go on with their lives as usual, because these gatherings are actually impacting them. Then, I would say these are gatherings high value.
I strongly believe that allies aren’t doing enough to make people in power uncomfortable. Shutting down a highway on the weekend has a lot less impact than shutting one down at 9am Monday morning, and again on Tuesday, and again on Wednesday… until concerns are addressed. I think that’s what’s missing in these marches and protests and social media posts. There’s no actual discomfort imposed on those who have the power to do something.
Standing up with banners saying “we don’t like this” does not create change. It doesn’t impact them so they don’t care. Things don’t shift through actions that don’t bother them. The bus boycotts back in the day impacted them because they were losing money. People not showing up to work causes businesses to lose money and cause production delays. Everybody spending as usual and showing up on a random Saturday to hold up signs doesn’t do sh*t.
Finally openly agreeing with marginalized groups that sh*t is f*cked up doesn’t change a damn thing. Change only comes when people who can change things are made to feel uncomfortable… when their money and their peace are disturbed in an ongoing manner. And I don’t understand why nobody seems to get that.
Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist
MDillon Designs & Publishing 