Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Going to DC but don’t want to
This will earn me no love, but I’m too old to care for best buds. While I will be in Washington DC for the National Equality March, I would rather stay home that weekend.
There are the standard reasons, all silly and selfish. A weekend lost, disdain for crowds (yes I know that makes no sense considering my present address), budget issues, et., etc. The main reason for my indifference is a distrust that large political rallies are effective.
Yes, I know. I know. March on Washington, 1963, “I Have A Dream,” tears of joy, the power of the people will never be defeated, blah, blah, and blah again. Many of you will point to that historical moment with pangs of misty nostalgia. Fair point, but most don’t know the history. Rallying at the nation’s seat of power had been an idea since 1941 and not everyone agreed it was worth the effort. The keyboard revolutionaries who hold up Malcolm X as a model should know he called the 1963 march “the farce on Washington.” Looking forward to how our keyboard Trotskyites wrap their heads around that one
I’m not convinced what a mass rally gets “the community”, a group of people divided by race, class, geography, and politics. Sure there will be much talk of all the energy surrounding the Mall that weekend, but all that nebulous energy does not translate into political power. Might make you feel good but it won’t get a bill passed.
These concerns are academic though. I’ll be there. If you see me, however, please don’t be shocked if I look like I want to be somewhere else. You’ll be right.
It’s worth mentioning press reports have it that President Obama won’t even be in Washington that weekend. He apparently will be here in CA. I wont be there, sorry but like over 40,000 other bi-national couples I need to use what resources I have to go visit my partner since he can’t come here. The Uniting American Families Act, the bill in Congress that would remedy that, has even LESS chance of happening than a repeal of DOMA.
Face it we got duped. You want change? Save your $$ and donate to progressive congressional candidates. Replace the idiot “Blue Dogs” and what is left of the American Taliban calling itself the GOP and THEN LGBT civil rights might have a chance. The Democratic Party milked our community for money and votes and then turned around and stabbed us in the back. Stay home, they are not listening in DC and the wont be on Oct 11th. You want to get their attention. When the DNC fundraisers start calling tell them to repeal DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t tell FIRST, then we’ll talk.
gu1986,
Oh my. Not the “gay pride parades are keeping us down” rhetoric?
James
I would much rather the straight world see us come together for a march than the ridiculous and out-dated gay pride parades held in cities across America. Whether you want to admit it or not our community will not get respect until we start displaying behavior worthy of respect.
Yhitzak,
“I am curious… why *are* you going, Withers?”
Good question. I’ll write about that this weekend. For the record though: no one, who is fair, should make the argument that not going to DC is a sign of “bad activist.” Your reasons are legit (economic, etc., etc). A few folk, not many of course, have jumped on the “I ain’t going because the event was poorly planned” memo. That’s pure hokum and not at all related to the hard work the orgnaizers have done thus far.
Joey,
I was born with the Debbie-Downer gene! What am I supposed to do?
Seriously though, I would argue my opinion is a bit more nuanced than you are making it. I’ll write more later.
James
I am curious… why *are* you going, Withers? I know why I’m not going: a total lack of money, a total lack of having someone to take care of my world in my absence, the fact that DC is half a country away. I’ll at least be honest about it and admit that I think this is a form of pissing in the wind. Yes, yes, I know, I’m such a bad little queer and an even worse activist! At least I’m honest about it. Heh. And if activism were limited to marching on Washington, DC… that’s funny.
Eh. I’m going to go against the grain and say don’t go, James. Really. Do something better for yourself and your “community.” Maybe sit down with some youth who couldn’t go to the march and figure out what it means. Kick it local. Work it where you can.
@ aakalan and the other commentors: I couldn’t agree with you more.
Sorry James, You know I just love you, but we don’t need any more Debbie-Downers. None at all. I think our politicos are enough. Sometimes the negative, opinionative things you write reminds me of my X. He hates all things Gay. Ironic don’t you think? A Gay Democratic Gay-hater. Interesting.
This isn’t just for you or me, it’s for all of us. It’s for our Nieces and Nephews, Brothers and Sisters, Parents and Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Children and Grandchildren (for those it may apply to). It’s for the countless Gay alliess we will come across throughout our lives, who we will NEED throughout our lives. It’s to motivate an entire generation of Gay Youth who’ve never been a part of something that effects them so much. Motivate us to spread the Love and Tolerance we preach so often about.
As I appreciate your opinion on what the march won’t do…in the words of my boss: “Don’t tell me what you can’t do; Tell me what you can do!”.
You’re right, you are incredibly selfish. In fact, I can’t believe that someone so self-absorbed and out-of-touch has been given such a powerful platform as this one.
Shame on you.
The reasons we need a march are simple:
1) To make Obama and Congress aware of us, which it will. To make them realize that we’re not going to sit back and take whatever crumbs they want to give us when it’s politically expedient for them to give them to us.
2) To let the world see us en masse, and to let them know, without any doubt, that we are not going away and won’t be thrown under the bus.
3) We desperately need a positive national media event. We need the networks to show us across the land and let everyone know that we’re not shrinking away just because some bigots passed Prop 8.
4) To celebrate our unity. Yes, unity: we all want our rights, and we want them now.
Unless we make ourselves visible, we will be ignored. Raising the voices of a few hundred thousand people on the National Mall is a pretty good way to get the attention we need – no, demand.
And, if you really don’t want to be there, don’t go. One thing we do not need is another self-indulgent, bored fag on the TV screens of America.
We don’t need you.
I have to say that I disagree with you rather profoundly man. Marches like this one aren’t about the lawmakers. Anyone who kids themselves into thinking that it’s about the lawmakers are nuts. Lawmakers serve their individual constituencies and when everyone’s in DC who knows which district they are from. These marches are about us. They are about creating a symbol that galvanizes people back home. They are about creating inspiration for the participants. Crafting something concrete to make people realize how much these issues affect them is important.
Look at the bright side- you get to have dinner with your adoring readers!
What other choice do we have? I am sure large number of folks are writing letters to their representatives at all levels of government. If not you should be. Postage is not too much to ask and most representatives have email which is free.
We could try and organize a pink flu day/week where everyone who considers them self part of our community or friendly to our community calls in sick and spends 0 money.
So the march may or may not have an immediate effect or a long term one for that matter. What it will do is provide an opportunity for folks from all over the country to get together and exchange ideas. The NEM website is starting to have actual information on training sessions, gatherings, etc. There is more to this weekend then the march itself.
I am not one to give false hope that everything will be wonderful after this march. I am not expecting miracles. But I do think it is very important to try and motivate as many as can make it to show up. Each additional person adds hope.
James, like it or not people do read your articles and you are in a leadership role. I think this particular article does not help the community nor motivate folks to get involved. My partner and I will be there, hope to see you.
Bob
Oh James, that makes me sad. A little.
Nobody expects a bill to be passed on October 12th. I’m pretty sure the intent of the march has been/is about motivating people who go, to return home and fight the fight in their State. Become involved. We do expect that this will motivate people who have been inactive to get active. Primarily my generation.
Afterall, when it’s all said and done and nothing happens…we can only blame ourselves because we didn’t do anything.
P.S. – I’m going to D.C. in lieu of SpookyBear in Provincetown on Halloween. Sacrifice. I’d almost rather mingle with the furry folk, but my rights are more important to me.