Last week I went to a No Kings protest.
If you know me at all, you might be surprised. I am not one to proclaim my thoughts loudly, and I do NOT like crowds. (Spoiler alert: I was SUPER uncomfortable the entire time)
If you know me well, you know how much I despise scenes of conflict (I am the ninest Enneagram 9 that has ever nined.)
So why did I go, and what was my experience?
I went because I am a Christian who has stayed silent as injustices that impact people around me have occured. I went because there is a narrative that people of faith don't actually care about the oppressed. I went because I know that's not true, but it's not always easy to see. I went because I wanted to show my support for the people who have been hurt the most by this administration. I went because I wanted to be the exception. I wanted to be a person of faith who showed up for other people. I went wearing my "Love Wins" shirt from one of my many mission trips to Ukraine, where that was the overarching message we left the kids with. The scripture on my back, written in Ukrainian, was “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
I am a straight, white, Christian, American-born woman who was homeschooled, has only ever worked for private schools, and homeschools her own children. I went for the people in Ukraine. I went for the immigrants. I went for teachers and students of public schools. I went for the people who are afraid to exist with their differences. People whose beliefs, values, and life experiences align with mine. People whose beliefs, values, and life experiences are very different from mine. People everywhere in between who challenge me and make me re-evaluate. I went because words have failed me, but I still want to show up for people. I went because I believe Love Wins.
I met many people who felt the same way. I met many people holding signs that said, "Love your neighbor", "Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.", "Make America Kind-hearted again". People holding flags for America. People holding flags for Ukraine and Mexico. People who would not be out there just because of a minor disagreement with policy. People who were there for their neighbors, who care about justice and mercy, who care about their relationship with God.
I marched with people of all faiths and no faith and anti-faith. I timidly (again, very introverted, very outside my comfort-zone) joined the chant, "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here" and "This is what democracy looks like". I kept SILENT and buttoned my lips hard during "F*** Trump" and "F*** Abbott" because I was NOT there to wish evil on them however much I disagree with their actions. I was there because the 1st amendment gives me the right to address the government peacefully and petition them for a redress of grievances. I was there to use that freedom for others. I was there for the reform I hope to see. I was there because I believe love will win and love means showing up for those with little to no voice. It does not mean hatred for the hating. (1 Corinthians 13:6-7)
Police were there, and I did not feel threatened; I felt protected. No violence occurred. No damage to property. Voices were raised, and even though I did not agree with every sentiment, the overarching theme was still, "Love your Neighbor".
It was a surreal experience, and I'm still processing it. I came away with a lot of feelings, both positive and negative. The older I get the more I'm learning to make space for nuance. Holding certainty and uncertainty, joy and sadness, faith and doubt.
I don't know if my presence made a difference. I don't know if it will be seen for the reasons I want it to be seen. It's not up to me, and that's part of what I'm holding. I have so much love for people who think so vastly different from me on so many things, and one thing I truly do hate is how we can't be honest with each other. I try not to be dishonest about who I am and what I believe, but the truth is I keep a lot to myself. The ironic thing is that even though this scene (crowded, loud, full of angry voices) was most definitely NOT the scene I would choose for myself, showing up was, in some ways, the most visibly honest I have been about my beliefs in a while.
I believe in a God who loves EVERYONE. I believe that Christians should stand up for those whose voices are being silenced. I believe justice is more restorative than it is punitive. I believe in mercy. I believe love is the answer. I believe that ultimately God has overcome this world and the peace that we want can be found in Him.
(Romans 8:38-39; Micah 6:8, Leviticus 19:33-34, Matthew 22:37-40)
If you have read this far, thank you for hearing me.
Can you tell how uncomfortable I am?
