When I was in junior high, we read the Pulitzer Prize winning book by former President, John F. Kennedy. This was in the late ’60’s. The book offered short stories of acts of bravery by 8 Senators, going back through history. There’s some controversy surrounding the book, but at that age it was fascinating to read. And, at the time, outside our classrooms were protests about the Vietnam War.
Yesterday, I was astounded to see a completely different demonstration of Profiles In Courage. Perhaps millions of people gathered in their towns to protest the acts of our government. I happened to be visiting my mother in Carson City, Nevada. I walked down to the capitol in the early afternoon to find thousands of people with all sorts of signs, demonstrating their concern for what’s happening with the government. It was astonishing!
Northern Nevada has always been deeply red. In my visits, you’d see demonstrations and rallies, mostly around gun rights, and for Trump. There were never more than about 50 people standing in front of the state capitol. I was always surprised to see how few people attended, particularly when you read bumper stickers or saw the tee shirts in restaurants.
As I walked to the rally, yesterday, I suspected it wouldn’t be different. In fact, I thought because the historical deep redness of the community, it would be weakly attended. I was blown away, lining North Carson street, for blocks, were thousands of people demonstrating.
As I joined the group, I started talking to the people I met. All walks of life, varied backgrounds, Republicans, Democrats, Independents. Each focused on different things. For some it was the tariffs, for others, it was the shut down of government agencies (a number of people in Northern Nevada were impacted), for some it was the distress around the deportations.
While each had a different focus, they were all unified in their concern about what is happening to this country.
And we saw the same scene in hundreds of communities around the country. Millions of people expressing their concerns and demonstrating their patriotism, peacefully. And many, perhaps doing so at some personal risk.
As I participated in the rally in Carson City, thinking of the courage being displayed by these every day people, I reflected on the lack of courage, integrity and principles I see demonstrated by so many others. Law firms capitulating to demands, focused on protecting their partner income. Universities doing the same thing to maintain contracts with the government. Tech Bros protecting their billions. Our elected representatives too fearful to hold town halls with the people who they are supposed to serve.
It’s interesting, those one would expect to demonstrate the highest levels of courage and who have the ability to greatly impact the things going on seem to be cowering. And those who have the least, and perhaps the most to risk, are carrying signs, gathering together, demanding change.
A new Profiles In Courage.
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