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My friend Debra (Deva) Troy and I were having this conversation recently. I pondered whether movements are more effective if people rally around what they are FOR or what they are AGAINST. What prompted it is that even though I am a way-left-of-center-tree-hugging-crunchy-granola hippie, I told her that I would much prefer to see pro-peace and social justice signs at rallies than (as clever as some of them are), anti-#45 signs, especially those that reference his appearance. I do understand that it is a way of venting anger and frustration. What he looks like is far less important to me than what issues forth from him.
In the past year and some months post-election, I have attended various vigils and rallies, collectively mourning the devasting changes that have taken place in our country and celebrating unity and the ability to speak truth to power. I have witnessed outrage and have shared it. Anger, when used as a tool, can propel positive change, but when used as a weapon, can destroy. Conflict tears us asunder. Peacemaking can heal rifts. I prefer the second but sometimes find myself embroiled in the first. As a Libra, I tend toward conflict avoidance and peacemongering.
When I contemplate the interesting juxtaposition between those two dichotomies, I can clearly define it for myself.
- I am against violence and am for gentleness.
- I am against pollution and am for clean air and water and soil.
- I am against smoking and am for people either quitting or never starting.
- I am against anyone determining a woman’s right to choose to become pregnant and or carry a pregnancy to term and I am pro-choice.
- I am against bigotry and hatred in thought, word or action and I am for kindness and acceptance.
- I am against sexual harassment and I am for consent education to prevent it.
- I am against the policies of the current administration and I am for progressive principles put into action.
- I am against gun ownership (and since it is unlikely that guns will ever go away), I am for sensible dialog about what to do to lessen the destruction and their irresponsible use.
- I am against the narcissistic tendencies that have people believing that only what they want matters, and I am for sharing resources.
- I am against marginalizing people based on skin color, religion, culture or national origin and I am for embracing diversity.
- I am against homo/transphobia and I am for believing that love is love is love.
- I am against physical punishment for children and am for peaceful parenting.
- I am against drug and alcohol abuse and addiction and I am for recovery and treatment.
- I am against the pay scale differential between men and women and am for equal pay for equal work.
I posted the question on my Facebook page and these were some of the well-considered responses.
“Rally against. Look at our history. We rallied against Vietnam, against segregation, against Nixon. Change, significant change happened. We rally for peace, we rally for the environment and very little happens. Having a common enemy bring people together better than having a common cause. Oh, that’s good. I’m copywriting that. Lol. Look at March for Our Lives. Yes, we can say that’s a rally FOR better gun legislation but honestly, the driving force can be argued that it’s AGAINST the NRA.”
“Each individual has their own way of helping to make a better world. I do not see one answer to fit all. Personally, I like to focus on positive, yet also see value is raising people’s awareness of things that are clearly negative. So, both have their place for me.”
“The idea of being pro- something and not anti-something always sounds good, but I believe the only thing that makes one march or pro-test (see it has pro in it) or rally is because we actually ARE against whatever is the opposite of what we are for. It stands to reason and you know that it has been said that “every generation has to fight for its freedom.”
“Pro is always more effective, and garners support more easily.”
“That’s what Patanjali suggests in the yoga sutras.”
“Being for something works better on a personal level. The jury is still out on mass consciousness.”
“I agree with being for something! Sometimes, I have noticed that people may not have a sense of what they are truly for and can rally around what they are against! In political circles, there are those who are against a candidate.”
“Definitely pro. What we focus on is what we expand. Right? So, anti this or that only magnifies what we don’t want. March against war, March against guns, March against cancer only magnifies the problem. Mother Teresa even spoke to this by saying something to the effect of, “Don’t invite me to your anti-war movement, but count me in for pro-peace.”
“To build community for yourself, rally for. To raise awareness and express grief and loss, demonstrate against.”
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