I attended the San Diego march with thousands of others. The student organizers and speakers balanced messages of grief, fear, and defiance with hope, resilience, and forward action. How would someone with an opposing view hear these words?
Early in the rally, a lone counter-protester brazenly sliced through the huge crowd carrying both an American and a Trump flag. He planted himself directly in front of the student speakers. His actions could have been seen as intimidating and bullying.
Jeers and angry words from the crowd matched his shouts and denials. The organizers quickly called for a peaceful response... and then, almost organically, several March-related flags and placards surrounded this lone protester... allowing him to stay in their midst but silencing the disrespect they perceived from him. It helped that a few sheriffs stood nearby to protect everyone!
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| Enough is Enough: An Opposing View Surrounded (March for Our Lives San Diego) |
Challenges to consider with this amendment:
- How do you express freedom of speech when differing views are present?
- Can you maintain a peaceful assembly when opinions clash?
- Who are the people who sheriff and protect each person when we are vulnerable, creating safe places to engage in Self- and Other-exploration?
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| Enough is Enough: Joining Together in Unity (March for Our Lives San Diego) |
As we marched, I marveled at the physical changes of the downtown skyline since moving to San Diego. My thoughts turned to the changes in my own life -- progress in perceptions, emotions, and spirituality. I wondered:
- Do I assemble only like-minded people around me to encourage me?
- Do I allow differing views to be present and expressed?
- Am I swayed by another person's thinking and passion?
- Have I changed my perspectives because of someone else?
The answer to all of these questions is 'Yes... I have tried." I know that I have changed! At times I journeyed with like-minded people who supported me. I also needed people who challenged me to explore other routes along the way. And, as I traveled to other cities, states and countries, my mind and heart expanded as I was touched by other cultures, creeds, and expressions of life.
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| Enough is Enough: On A Journey of Discovery (March for Our Lives San Diego) |
David Hogg said it best in an interview after the Washington, D.C., March. David is a Parkland student-survivor and -- unwillingly transformed by the shooting into -- a student-activist. He said that we need to meet with people we do not know, people who are different from us. The objective, he said, is not to choose people we agree with and not to argue with or sway them to our point of view. Instead, our goal is to have a discussion, to listen to the diversity of thought. He ended the interview by reminding us, "America is about diversity." David exemplifies the wisdom of our youth!
Maybe the polarities we are experiencing are a new declaration -- no longer focused on our Independence and individuality. Instead, our differing views are a Declaration of our Diversity... and our Interdependence. The answers lie not in one side overwhelming the other. Rather, the answers surface when we seek to honor each person's needs, wants, fears and aspirations.
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| Enough is Enough: Same Word Used Differently (March for our Lives San Diego) |
As we enter this new week -- which for some people includes Spring Break, Holy Week, and Passover -- let us consider:
- Is there a way to listen nonviolently to opposing views?
- Can we ask questions when the same word or thought is used differently?
- How do we want to respond when our needs, wants and fears clash?
Peace to you as you march for the values in your lives... and at the same time, respectfully hold other people with sacred worth and value!
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| Larry Gardepie (click on link for website) |
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