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Comments on "Why Not For Kids, Too?"
Margie: Hi Trudy,
This is a very timely blog. I am also concerned about the flavor of the protests and its advertised virulence. Sometimes to get the message across, strong language is needed as a pushing force. Strong language should not equate insults or degradation of others. We need to master the power of positive speaking and learn how to say NO to others and at the same time leave room for a positive connection with them. Kids should be around to see that.
Margie
(Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 8:33 am)
Michele: I agree that parents should have the right to decide if their children should participate in protests with them. After all, we live in America, a country famous for its belief in their citizenry's right to protest and express opinions without punishment.
It would be hypocritical for children to be kept from peaceful protests. However, I do remember many years ago there was one single mom who liked to take her young daughter to anti-KKK protests in DC area, and I always thought she was crazy to do it. But again, that's a judgement call, obviously.
On a related issue...I share Trudy's concern about the recent feeling that "it's bad to protest". I see it as a backlash against what happened during the 2006-07 Gallaudet protest.
It's as if deaf people require approval from hearing people/society before protesting. (Don't forget...the 1988 DPN protest had near-total approval from hearing people and the society at large.)
And that's not a good thing. If deaf people want to rock the boat, do it with the knowledge that there are going to be many, many unhappy people who will do or say anything to stop the boat from rocking.
-Michele Ketcham
(Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 9:21 am)
Larry: My wife and I often included our sons in peaceful demonstrations that we attended. To do so though does involve risk and so places a greater responsibility on the parents to ensure the child is well supervised and safe. It is important to prepare children for what they might experience and develop a safety plan.
(Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 11:22 am)
~Vikee: Thanks Trudy for bringing this issue up...
The earliest I can remember getting involved with my mothers favorite cause (NOW and ERA) I was in Kindergarten. Through the years, and through many many many protest, walks, discussions, confrontations (peacefully)and educating womyn of all types and races, I have grown stronger in my identity as a womyn and that has made all the difference.
As long as the protest is peaceful, well-organized and transparent, I think children should be involved one way or another, to see their parents doing something to change their future. The actual hands on experience gives the child an even more understanding of working together against something that is important to the community.
you go Trudy...and you, too BarbG!
(Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 4:58 pm)
~Vikee: Thanks Trudy for bringing this issue up...
The earliest I can remember getting involved with my mothers favorite cause (NOW and ERA) I was in Kindergarten. Through the years, and through many many many protest, walks, discussions, confrontations (peacefully)and educating womyn of all types and races, I have grown stronger in my identity as a womyn and that has made all the difference.
As long as the protest is peaceful, well-organized and transparent, I think children should be involved one way or another, to see their parents doing something to change their future. The actual hands on experience gives the child an even more understanding of working together against something that is important to the community.
you go Trudy...and you, too BarbG!
(Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 4:56 pm)
Barb: Trudy,
Thank you for validating my decision to include my children in the protest. It's funny because I thought exactly the same thing how everything we do involves risks such as car accidents as people die more than the protest. Your article is very empowering for me and for other parents and I hope it will educate the others to understand the value of involving children in peaceful demonstration. My children told me again and again that they want to do it again. They felt so good to be a part of the social change demonstration and it was rewarding for them inspite of manager's reaction. It made them stronger.
A Deaf Mom described in your article
(Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 4:14 pm)