[3 June 2017]
I have attached a couple of photographs from my
morning activity -- i.e., participation in St. Louis' 'March for Truth'.
. Photo #1247 is my first
ever selfie! #1250 illustrates the size of the march (which began at the
Union Station end of the public park and ended at the base of the arch --
roughly a mile through downtown streets with police escort). I estimated
there were @2000 marchers at the start, with several hundred more joining
along the way. Three passionate speakers addressed the marchers at the
base of the arch. It is my understanding there were similar marches in
many cities across the US as well as internationally. I stumbled upon a
notification about the St. Louis march last night.
During the march, I thought
about my immediate family and many friends who I know share my deep concern
about the Trump et al assault on and blatant disregard for factuality,
critical thinking, careful inquiry, accountability, intellectual
integrity. I also thought about the disturbing number of extended
family members and acquaintances who are to my dismay somewhere on the
enthusiastic-to-tolerant continuum of support for Trump et al.
A Franklin friend who teaches
English Literature and Latin at a Franklin, TN, high school asked me last week
in one of our regular 'over coffee' conversations how I respond to individuals
(especially family members) who repeatedly launch into offensive
social/religious fundamentalist and prejudicial diatribes. I listed the
following criteria as the standard by which I assess my responses. (1) I remind myself I could easily have been this individual.
I was born into and raised within a very cultish view of the world
and others. Very few I knew then have escaped. I am
grateful to have defied such tremendous odds. (2) I remind myself this individual is a victim, exploited by
thought leaders (e.g., preachers, teachers, writers, news commentators,
politicians, et al) who have had the opportunity to know better. I
hold these thought leaders accountable and channel my frustration/anger
toward them. (3) I
remind myself to listen for any hint/indication this individual
is uncertain, hesitant, questioning. The aim is not to counterattack or gloat,
but to be present if/when this individual's house of cards begins to
collapse. (4) If this individual is my host, I remind myself to be a
respectful guest while stopping short of leaving the impression I agree or
sympathize with his/her diatribes. If I am this individual's host, I
remind myself to protect others present and to protect the gathering's intent
(including the responsibility to confront this individual and if necessary to
separate this individual from others in the least embarrassing way but
nonetheless with the clear message that such diatribes will not be allowed). These are particularly difficult/challenging
times.
