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I was surprised at the somber aura that surrounded the gathered people for the No Kings March in Eugene, Oregon, yesterday. But then this was not a pep rally, and I suppose when people are marching, yes, for a good cause—like we do not want a Dictator or a King to run our country—it doesn’t bode for enthusiasm.
It does bode for a chant, though: One person would call it out: “This is what Democracy looks like,” and the marchers would respond: “This is what Democracy looks like.” (People gathered, stated their opinions, marched peacefully, no hate signs, no police, no security guards that I could see, just people saying that they didn’t like the way the country was being run.) And there were enough signs to keep you in reading material for the duration of the march.
I guess I was expecting a more enthusiastic group, but then it’s hard to be upbeat when you are complaining.
When you are rooting for something, it brings the Group up. I remember when Barack Obama was running for President back in 2008. (Seventeen 17 years ago?!) A throng collected on the Track Field of the University of Oregon, because the inside arena was overflowing. We were excited. We were joyful.
Obama was speaking inside the Stadium, but he came outside because a large gathering was there. As he spoke, he walked up and down the grassy field. We were thrilled.
It was a rally. People were cheering. We were happy. We believed in a brighter day. We had hope.
Joy comes when you are for something instead of against it.
I fear we have lost our joy.
If it’s true, that much is accomplished with a glad heart, then we would get more accomplished at a sports event. We could drink our beer, and eat our hot dogs, and cheer, and raise the energy of the group.
And the energy of the Earth would probably rejoice, and laugh with us, and ask what we wanted and give it to us.
Political Satirist 1913-1973
