I’m afraid of protesting too. I’ve actually never been to a protest, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit it. But now as a non-citizen in the US, I don’t think those fears were completely unfounded, even though I am a white woman. Instead, I’ve chosen to go back to Canada and carry on the good fight from there, using my online platform rather than my physical body.
Thanks for sharing, Ashleigh! Your fears make a lot of sense to me -- and I share them. Anytime we show up to demonstrate, we take a risk with our bodies. And there is no "one right way" to protest and resist what's happening in the world right now. Using your online platform is powerful!
"My fear doesn’t need to be a hindrance. It can be a compass." Beautifully stated! You point out powerful similarities to your self-defense training, which I love.
I have protested in the past but I'm not currently in a position to march in a crowd. There are many ways to protest and have our voices heard in addition to a 'formal' protest--help someone who has lost their job, donate to the many non-profits who've lost their federal funding and need private donations more than ever, write letters or emails to representatives, use your creativity and voice to inspire (you are definitely doing this already!)--there are so many ways to protest and resist.
Meagan, thanks for sharing your perspective. I appreciate you naming this. It resonates a lot with me.
We each have a different set of circumstances. Many of us may not be in a position to march in a crowd. Protests may conflict with our work schedules. We may be feeling sick. Our bodies may not be able to march.
I've seen a statistic that it only takes 3.5% of the population to show up to a protest to make a difference. If we're not in a position to participate, we don't need to. And, if we are in a position to participate, it can create a significant benefit for others.
And, as you point out, it's powerful to remember that there is no "one right way" to protest or resist. It can take so many different shapes and forms. I love the examples you share. Thanks for sharing them!
I’m afraid of protesting too. I’ve actually never been to a protest, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit it. But now as a non-citizen in the US, I don’t think those fears were completely unfounded, even though I am a white woman. Instead, I’ve chosen to go back to Canada and carry on the good fight from there, using my online platform rather than my physical body.
Thanks for sharing, Ashleigh! Your fears make a lot of sense to me -- and I share them. Anytime we show up to demonstrate, we take a risk with our bodies. And there is no "one right way" to protest and resist what's happening in the world right now. Using your online platform is powerful!
"My fear doesn’t need to be a hindrance. It can be a compass." Beautifully stated! You point out powerful similarities to your self-defense training, which I love.
I have protested in the past but I'm not currently in a position to march in a crowd. There are many ways to protest and have our voices heard in addition to a 'formal' protest--help someone who has lost their job, donate to the many non-profits who've lost their federal funding and need private donations more than ever, write letters or emails to representatives, use your creativity and voice to inspire (you are definitely doing this already!)--there are so many ways to protest and resist.
Meagan, thanks for sharing your perspective. I appreciate you naming this. It resonates a lot with me.
We each have a different set of circumstances. Many of us may not be in a position to march in a crowd. Protests may conflict with our work schedules. We may be feeling sick. Our bodies may not be able to march.
I've seen a statistic that it only takes 3.5% of the population to show up to a protest to make a difference. If we're not in a position to participate, we don't need to. And, if we are in a position to participate, it can create a significant benefit for others.
And, as you point out, it's powerful to remember that there is no "one right way" to protest or resist. It can take so many different shapes and forms. I love the examples you share. Thanks for sharing them!