I think we protest too much” can be said about our generation. We protest over wars, environment, and the greed of banks, civil right violations and on and on. You can almost find a protest or a talk about an issue to protest every day of the week. We protest by email, phone calls and with signs and on street corners.

In the sixties we also protested. At the time it was mostly about two issues, civil rights and the war in Vietnam. However, we not only protested but took direct action, risking our health or imprisonment.

I remember when I got out of the State maximum security prison in 1970 for the Milwaukee 14 action, the destruction of selective service 1A files. After being behind bars and meeting some men, mostly poor and African American, who were good persons that were in bad situations and made some bad decision I just could not protest any longer. It was not that I was against protesting the war but I just felt I had to do something more basic, tangible and concert, especially for youth that were moving in the direction of the revolving door of prison.

I was not upset or offended by protest but just could not participate in a protest. Eventually I got over this feeling and started to attend some protest. Some could say what we call nonviolent actions against Marquette University teaching war is really just a ‘protest’. They would be correct. There is not much interest these days, except for a small group, for nonviolent direct actions of civil disobedience. Also there is much these days to protest about. The ‘power that be’, unspeakable powers’ or the ‘military/industrial/educational complex’ keeps us on the defensive by throwing more and more at us which we can protest. There are so many issues to protest and so many groups protesting them that it seems like we can never work together and focus on one or two issues at a time like the 60’s and go on the offensive.

I think we protest too much and it is time to take a deep breath, work together, take direct action and connect our issues.

Comments

(:commentboxchrono:)