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Jewish World Review Oct 19, 2011 / 21 Tishrei, 5772 The Anatomy of a Protest By Paul Greenberg
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Gravity has its laws courtesy of Sir A longshoreman and philosopher in pretty much that order, The specific focus of protests, if any, may change with the times. But the general spirit remains remarkably the same. It's a kind of free-floating dissatisfaction with the world. Or maybe the dissatisfaction is just with the protesters' place in it. The over-all impression remains the same: Lots of gripes, many only half-formed, and no real program except the haziest of generalities. And even those may be self-contradictory. Or as Clarity and coherence just aren't high on these protesters' order of priorities. Indeed, such qualities may be viewed as tools of the System, a kind of suppression of their freedom, their spontaneity, their creativity, and above all their general sense of indignation at being insufficiently appreciated. Asking the protesters to justify their ideas, or even to fully articulate them, may be seen as just another way to keep them down. Like any other theatrical production with costumes from the East, modern protests tend to go on the road sooner or later, starting off on The protesters don't seem interested in justifying their gripes, just expressing them. As if what they're really after is the comforting feeling of group solidarity. To quote a protester in What is it, exactly, that they're protesting? The answer is the same as that of He's just "mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Which is a line from "Network" (1976). When it comes to protests, the theme remains remarkably unchanged over time -- a general sense of betrayal. To sum it up: We played by the rules, we did the right thing, and we still haven't got what we want, which usually comes down to money and status -- even if those are the things the protesters are supposed to be protesting. Listen to this dissatisfied demonstrator, a 49-year-old It's all the System's fault. Certainly not What do you suppose her two degrees were in, a sense of self-entitlement?
This is not to say that all protests are born equal. Lest we forget, this republic was born in protest, usually in the vicinity of How differentiate between protests that lead to liberty under law, and to more respect for human dignity and self-reliance rather than less? Just ask the reason for the protest. Ask for specifics. By their specifics you shall know them, and whether the protest is serious or just for show. Those colonial protesters had definite grievances -- various taxes and navigation acts that restricted their trade. They weren't protesting against some vague generality (The System, See the Declaration of Independence for the full bill of particulars. These protesters in the colonies knew just what they were rebelling against, and, when asked, didn't have to mumble, "Whatcha got?" Maybe today's protesters will reach that point. Let's hope so. It would be a decided improvement. In the meantime, they might stay off the grass. It's the least they can do for the environment.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. JWR contributor Paul Greenberg, editorial page editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, has won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. Send your comments by clicking here.
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