I went to the No Kings rally without a sign. I'd had a few ideas, but couldn't settle on just one. In fact, one of my favorite ideas, which I may do for the next one, is: "re's too much wrong to fit on this s"
So I went downtown to walk through the protest shouting my support, leading some chants, and cheering for everybody else's signs. And there were some real good ones. Signs about protecting women's rights, the justice system, immigration, education, healthcare. Everyone seemed to have their own favorite cause to get behind. That's what I was missing: my one most-passionate cause. That was why I couldn't come up with a good sign, one that I was willing to carry. Then I saw a man with a sign that hit straight at what I see as one of the biggest problems of the modern age: white resistance to atoning for our history of global subjugation.
I know there are a lot of assumptions wrapped up in that statement. One, that white people have historically sought to subjugate the entire planet. This is so obvious it's stupid that there's any controversy whatsoever as to the factual accuracy. The fact that English, Spanish, and French are spoken in so many countries outside of England, Spain, and France is evidence enough. Have a look at which countries "own" the islands of Oceania if you want more.
It only takes a minute of reading the news to find any number of examples of white resistance to making amends. The other day I heard a report that the current administration is considering renaming naval ships that were already renamed during the Biden presidency, because they were named for DEI heroes like Harvey Milk. The reason they were renamed in the first place is that they originally bore the names of Confederate traitors. MAGA republicans have made it their mission to erase all traces of racial progress from our nation's official policies.
The man's sign said, "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are Core Christian and American Values."
It's like my dad always said: "It takes all kinds to make the world go around."
I had already texted Sara I would bring the van home and go back to the rally with her on bikes. On the drive home, I thought of my sign: "Christians for Trump are Oxymorons."
I arrive home, made my sign in about five minutes, and headed back to the protest on bikes with my incredible partner Sara. And my sign got a lot of positive reactions.
-Jon
Next time on Hypochristy: Their misuse of the term Indoctrination.
