Cold as ICE
Renee Good's murder is a national wake-up call
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how outrageous this all is. You know about the stuffed animals she had in the glove compartment. How she was shot in the face. How a doctor was prevented from giving her aid. We think we’ve hit bottom, and then at the bottom of the pit, a new pit opens.
But it’s another crack in the MAGA wall. They’re on the downward slide. More and more Republicans are taking fright, retiring, or voting (as 17 of them just did) with Democrats to prop up healthcare, trying to salvage what’s left of their souls.
The louder we speak up about Renee Good’s death, the more we amplify the videos and social media, and show up for protests and bring up the subject at the laundromat, and the book club, and the classroom, and the family reunion…every word, every cowbell rung at a sidewalk honk and wave, every time we say her name, we make another crack in the regime. A tiny crack, but there are a lot of them now. They’re spreading.
There will come a day when all those cracks will finally add up and the regime will shatter. Not yet. But it’s coming.
Indivisible is organizing protests nationwide. There is one near you.
If you’ve never gone to a protest, here are a few thoughts:
Isn’t it dangerous to go to protests?
I can’t deny that there is a certain element of risk, depending on where you live. But here’s the thing: there’s safety in numbers. The more of us who show up, the safer it is for all of us. It’s easy to make a few protestors disappear. It’s harder to control millions.
I’m not the one organizing the protest or leading the march. But every minute I spend huddled in the back of the crowd makes it safer for the brave folks up front with the bullhorns.
But what if we provoke something bad by protesting? Isn’t it better to stay quiet and avoid causing trouble?
I will quote one of my favorite political writers, Jay Kuo:
“It does no good, and is in fact highly dangerous, to remain on the sidelines and withhold protest out of fear of what might happen. That of course would also violate the first rule in fighting tyranny: Never capitulate in advance. Our response must remain loud, sustained, peaceful and overwhelming.
Some suggestions:
—Some events will say you should sign up on-line. Don’t be put off by that. It gives organizers an idea of how many people to expect, and it’s a way for them to contact you—say, if the protest is cancelled for some reason. (And of course they get your e-mail for future fund-raising.)
But if you’d rather not sign up because you want to keep your options open, or want to remain anonymous, or decide to show up last minute—just go. This isn’t a wedding, you don’t need to RSVP.
—Bring a sign, but please, keep it civil. Newspapers and TV stations cannot show signs with curse words, especially the F-word. And having the media cover the protest amplifies our message a thousandfold.
Also, insults and obscenities do our cause no good. We want to change our neighbors’ minds, not piss them off. It’s the middle-of-the-roaders who could make all the difference in the next election.
—Or bring a flag. I’m heartened by seeing many American flags at protests—I’m so glad we’re reclaiming it as a symbol of freedom from oppression. There’s nothing more patriotic than peaceful protest for what you believe is right.
Hope to see you on a streetcorner somewhere!
Dear Friends,
Are you furious about the state of the world and wondering what to do about it? I hope you’ll continue to check out The Optimistic Activist.
Every now and then I post some ideas for doing something. How to get out the vote, spread the word, and support progressive candidates. Ideas for simple but effective activism. As easy, as practical, as do-able as I can make them.
Together, I think, we can really make a difference.
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future.”
--Noam Chomsky
