Hate arrived on campus this week in the form of a protest group spewing invective against almost everyone. Or was it just free speech? This organization was a religious one purporting to spread the word of GOD by condemning in turn: Muslims, Jews, Latinos, Feminists, Gays, Masturbators and many more. They even had a sign that read: "Whores Deserve STD's" which was prominently displayed.
We were sitting in the lunchroom when the chanting started, with a large crowd developing around a pitifully small number of people behind yellow caution tape. I was only able to snap off one photo before security ordered everyone back. The two sides were both filming each other when I noticed the banner promoting their website. Promotion - that's what this was all about, which is why I decided not to publish the picture and give them even more exposure.
Like the "Church" that attacks deceased members at military funerals, these guys were all about spreading fear and passing judgment, instead of sharing a positive message of peace and love. After the recent killings in El Paso, Texas, members of the Hispanic community here were particularly upset with one girl screaming and crying in anguish at them. The truth is, life is too short to let someone else ruin your day. That's a notion that I wish more people would begin to realize as we step forward in this journey of life.
We were told that the protestors were filming us for their own protection, but I couldn't help but wonder if this encounter would end up as content to help recruit new members on their website. Everything they said seemed intended to shock and provoke a response. It made me think: "What if they gave a protest and nobody came?" People like these use specialized tactics to divide. Unity and understanding where someone else is coming from is not on the agenda.
Like a reverse magnet...
I've always been puzzled as to why conservatives want to speak at one of the last bastions of liberalism in America: the college campus. This is Bernie Sanders country, and you're not going to change anyone's mind in Portland or Seattle. If anything, you'll draw them even closer to Antifa, thus ruining your objective in the first place. Also, a screed of pure, unbridled hate tends to turn people off. This was reinforced by the angry reaction of the crowd.
At the end of the day, after they'd shouted themselves hoarse, they packed up their signs and went on their way. You know what? the republic still stood. The sky didn't fall and we were all a little closer than we were before. Kinda funny how things work out that way, isn't it?
The other upshot of this is that here was a prime example of American freedom of speech in action. The college staff repeatedly stressed that they had a right to protest no matter how vile the message was. It reminded me of that spot in England called Speakers Corner, where you can speak your mind to the general public. The Libertarian in me is glad I live in a country where the sweet scent of freedom is still in the air...
Thank you so much!
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