Hands On
- ledelstein2
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
Instead of my normal rant, I'm posting an earlier one; it's the email I wrote to my friend Maddy on Saturday.
Hey Maddy,
I missed you at noon when I attended my first (for this season) political rally. Today's theme was Hands Off. I don't want carpel tunnel syndrome, so I won't list the huge array of Hands Off topics displayed on the many, many signs, i.e., Hands Off schools, Medicare, Social Security, science research, LGBT and civil rights, etc. No one had a sign for the IRS.
I hadn't planned to make a sign, but going to a protest without a sign is like visiting an old friend's home and not bringing a hostess gift, even a small bunch of kale. It seems incorrect, and I certainly do not want to attend a protest unmannerly. I still have the tee shirt from the Women's March on Washington that we attended together, in the 70s, I think. I'll have to dust it off (and stretch it out).
Anyway, I'm having trouble conceptualizing the sign. My first inclination was to stuff mittens as "Hands" and wave them. Then I thought I could stuff 4 out of 5 fingers and leave the middle one erect. Is it too subtle? I don't know. I used to stay up until all hours making signs for us and anyone else who wanted one, but now it is so, so, so easy to just download one from my computer and fancy printer.
BUT, I worry that pre-made signs are cheating. I don't want anyone to think that I am not serious, and a hand drawn sign that says HANDS OFF is more hands on and definitely more serious. Even Etsy is selling signs - that is unquestionably too much out-sourcing. My kids worry that I will misbehave and get arrested. That cannot happen; I have a colonoscopy later in the week.
This is a dilemma. I know that you would reassure me at this point in my ruminations and explain that I will have many more opportunities to make signs, so I shouldn't stress. Thank you, Maddy; that advice helps.
Not The Trip We Planned is still available at pre-tariff prices on amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and any fine bookstore will order it for you.
Chickie--You are hands-down a hands-on person for a protest and I was heartened to see your list of vital services that we ALL depend on. I agree with all of your list but would add, loudly and with passion, in spite of my habitual reserve: HANDS OFF LIBRARIES & PUBLIC EDUCATION. (Yes, I am shouting virtually).
I was also in the ranks in Portland, where infants to ancients were well represented and we will need to keep it up so to speak: keep speaking up locally and to our representatives as long as democracy holds and we have them.
Enjoy whatever they give you for your colonscopic "nap" and get ready to return to the fight. We need your fervor.