Advocacy and Inner Peace
from Barbara Scott
Last week I was very politically active. I focussed a lot of my writing toward encouraging folks to use less extreme partisan rhetoric and hateful name-calling . I joined a reproductive rights rally after local government, in my opinion, overstepped with some religious-driven resolutions. Both have caused me to step back and reflect about my motivations.
This kind of protest participation was a common occurrence when I was younger. I learned from those experiences that everyone there comes with a different story and while we may be supporting a common position lives can be vastly different and reasons for stepping out in a public way can at times be almost oppositional. I long ago decided I have to be totally lined up in my motivation for going before I get there and that I have to know it is about congruency with my values, beliefs and internal compass.
This learning came from my 1st experience with a rally. It was in Hartford Connecticut - a Christmas Eve candlelight vigil opposing the Vietnam war. I was 17. I went because I wanted the killing to stop. I naiively went expecting a uniformity of motivation. Instead, I met folks there who came because they had lost fathers, sons, brothers….they were there to mourn . Some came to protest all wars, some to oppose this war. Others hated Lyndon Johnson; some wanted to move a peaceful gathering into something else…they came to agitate. Some came to argue. Some came to overthrow the government. Some came to acknowledge the costs of a justifiable military action. In retrospect, I expect most were searching for a community of like minds, to make a statement or as part of a greater agenda.. I came away from the experience fairly confused and disheartened … not to mention guilty - knowing how much I had disappointed my grandmother, our matriarch, who treasured the quiet family gathering of this sacred holiday - an evening I had disrupted. I loved her deeply and to this day can see her face. She never said anything. I had hurt her. I learned then and there that my choices/actions impact those I love in unintended ways. The whole experience set me back for quite awhile in joining public actions.
Over the years I have been active in politics and a lot of other passions in diverse ways and in many protests ….but to this day I have to understand my motives for going to a rally. I take the time to make sure the reasons speak to my personal integrity. That was the case this weekend. I know protest rallies are not for the most part a setting for meaningful conversations and many would say ineffective and not about problem solving.
I would disagree. From my perspective standing up for your beliefs in congruity with your soul has the power to clarify…strengthening confidence and commitment. It can create a role model for others to be hopeful and to be part of changes they believe will help their community. Folks come away knowing they showed up and to find or impact community. I go because I am surrendering to the voice inside me. It builds my strength to work on solutions. I am a firm believer that when we enhance human expression everyone can benefit regardless of your position on any issue.
I went to honor my truth in surrender to an internal knowing, to support the young women who are learning about personal and public advocacy, who are finding their voice. I feel my age these days and know I do not have the energy nor health to do this form of expression frequently. I went to honor my truth, 90+ degree weather was not helpful! Cumulatively, the week was exhausting but the event was deeply satisfying and I feel a sense of inner peace about it. To everyone who honked your vehicle horn…Thankyou. It mattered.
I found women, men and families to whom I can pass the baton knowing that our community is stronger for having a growing group of young confident advocates who trust women to make right decisions for themselves in concert with their drs, their spiritual beliefs and hopefully with their family’s support. I live in a very conservative town so this was a visible statement that there is a diversity of belief here that many don’t realize or would choose to dismiss.
So I invite you to celebrate your humaness in passionate (hopefully peaceful) display for whatever it is you are called to show up for.
On a much lighter note, as an arts advocate, I love the creativity and poignancy of the signs. Maybe I can become a poster maker moving forward!….The accommodations aging is forcing me to make are increasing daily and I am trying to become graceful about it.
Shalom
