“Be a nuisance where it counts, but don’t be a bore at any time... Be depressed, discouraged, and disappointed at failures and the disheartening effects of ignorance, greed, corruption and bad politics — but never give up.”
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas, advocate, writer, editor, 1890-1998
On March 14, 2018, my 10-year old daughter and at least a dozen other students from her elementary school stood outside, homemade signs blowing in the wind, eyes squinting from the sharp sun rising over the hill. It was the National School Walkout. The principal had allowed parents to voluntarily sign their children out for the event while the rest of the school participated in activities about kindness and mindfulness. Understandably, our group of parents and children was small, but outside, we were surrounded by the entire school and staff of the two middle schools on the same block. Outside, children and adults were united by a sincere, collective concern over school safety and a call for the government to pass legislation to control guns and increase mental health awareness and treatment.
Between 10 and 10:17, young students held up their signs, such as: "We deserve to feel safe" and "Schools should not be battlefields." Many huddled to stay warm. The choir from one of the schools sang Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence"; at the end, the local councilman, Carlos Menchaca, read the names of the 17 victims of the Parkland shooting as the crowd stood silently, many people bowing their heads, crying, feeling the sensation of the cold and the coldness of the tragedy. The walkout was a physical and visceral experience of activism and a reminder of the importance of uniting across generations to advocate for causes that affect the present and future lives of all citizens.
10 days later, many of the same families present at the walkout participated in the March for Our Lives. My daughter and I rallied at Central Park West on a bright Saturday morning, arms linked to avoid separation. At first we got off the train at 72nd Street but there was no entrance to the CPW marching path, so we had to walk uptown until there was an opening in the barricades. This prologue to the march was dizzying; we didn't know where we would be able to walk into the march, so we had to follow and trust that the crowd was moving in the right direction. We asked police officers along the way who guided us to 86th Street. The officers were attentive and polite, answering all the questions directed toward them. They effectively guided the throng of protestors along the narrow sidewalks.
Fortuitously, around 86th Street, we united with friends from our school community and were able to march along, cheering and moving with action and purpose. We marched to make a statement that enough is enough; it is time for the government to take gun violence seriously. We marched to prove to the country that the people are arming themselves with votes and voices, that in this democracy, we the people rule through our elected officials, that this country does not belong to branches of government but instead to all of its citizens. We marched to exercise our freedom to participate in peaceful protest. We marched because as citizens, we must communicate our demands to the government. We marched because we need to propel the movement toward a safer, fairer society through continuous pressure and collective action.
The organized protests that have been occurring locally, nationally, and internationally are invigorating. While it is difficult to observe immediate effects, our actions are influencing dialogues and debates, moving some legislators to pass local gun control measures, getting young people involved in our democracy, bringing families together in civic engagement, strengthening the bloodlines of our country.
As a native who has lived in the United States for the past four decades, I have never before been so involved and immersed in civics. I have voted throughout my adult life but never fully believed that this country was mine, that my voice was significant, that I or other Americans had any power. I never felt I was truly represented in government for several reasons: my parents were immigrants from the Philippines and I felt like we were somewhat foreigners; I never saw Asian-Americans, especially female Asian-Americans in government. Another important reason for my lack of civic engagement was my apathy and cynicism; it felt as if the mostly white men in government made decisions and there was nothing I or anyone could do about it. I realize now though that this type of attitude gives government more power and makes the people impotent and powerless. Apathy and cynicism add up to idle inaction which only benefits the politicians. Therefore, we must follow the words of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, to be a "nuisance where it counts"; in order to do this, we must care and believe in our ability to make positive change.
I have finally metamorphosed into a freer and emboldened citizen. I have risen above simply harboring anger and animosity toward governance and particularly the executive leader who I believe acts in his own self-interest, is intolerant and biased against non-whites, protects and supports the white upper class, is rash and undiplomatic, and does not respect women or immigrants. I do not support any of his executive orders and feel empowered by my freedom of speech to let my disapproval be known. Through writing letters to senators and local officials, through reading and being informed of current events, through protesting and marching, I exercise my power as a citizen.
It is necessary to also raise young people to be critical thinking, active citizens who work toward education and knowledge and participating in the governance of our nation. The current climate of non-violent activism shows that we the people cannot and will not give up on demanding responsible and fair legislation that protects all people. We must work together to open our minds and think beyond barriers and party lines; we are citizens first and foremost, and we must demand that our representatives work toward security and justice for all. And if our representatives fail at this, they must be voted out of office.
