Marching is not a political solution. So why do people do it?

Marching: Taking a Stand

Because we it is, quite literally, taking a stand.

It used to be a powerful stand. Even in the early 1900’s, a mobilized group of people with pitchforks could take over a building, even a nation’s capital. When masses of people were on the move, it was dangerous.

I’m relatively ignorant about this topic, and a quick search found an interesting article that says occasionally they have an effect, but it’s complex.

I have memories of some of the many Viet Nam War protests. They achieved nothing, though some could say they helped end it after 20 years… They had effect- they led Nixon to make Marijuana a schedule 1 drug in 1970. I doubt that Trump will be so stupid as to make pussy hats illegal, but he has already demonstrated that stupidity is one of his strong suits.

Marching: Childish behavior

When did you learn to march? When did you learn to stand up and say “No!” When I think about it, it’s before my early memories. It seems to be the sort of thing a 2-year old is capable of. If you’re 2 and you really want something, stand up and protest!

Another thing little kids do is repeat things over and over and over and over again. “Mommy, cookie!” over and over again. That seems very similar to a march with its slogans and chants and signs. This behavior is common in kids 2-5.

Plus, marching imitates the power of soldiers marching. This is what soldiers did when they’d lay siege to a castle or town. They’d march over there and surround it. Their mere presence was intimidating.

Intimidation is both a little kid’s tool as well as the ready tool of a frazzled parent to handle a little kid.

Appropriately childish behavior

Protesting Trump, marching is appropriately childish. He has demonstrated many of his own kinds of childish behavior during the last year- threats, bullying, name-calling.

I’m not superior. My inner child would like nothing better than to throw a big rock right between his beady little eyes. Probably I don’t march because it’s just not violent enough for my inner child…

What’s the alternative?

Use your words. We need a new kind of politics where, instead of fighting for power, we design our future together. We a new form of communication for this, and a system that allows us to apply this to politics. Basically, we need our politicians to be accountable to us. You can read more about that here.

Marching is fine. By all means, get your Ya Ya’s out. But keep it peaceful! And whatever it costs you, in time or money, spend the same amount on a real solution- donate it to PeopleCount so we can move forward. And on the same page, please add your email address to our announcement list.