Kumbaya, Concerned Friends

One of many signs at one of many marches.

(Ed. note–this was written on Facebook as a response to several people’s urging that I cut the shit before I get hurt. A month later, I stopped. I’m EXTREMELY lucky that I did not get attacked during this protest. I would not attempt it today in 2026.)

April 4, 2017

Friends, I am extremely grateful for you, and for the support I’m getting in the comments. You are saying lovely things to/about me, and I want to try to live up to those things, insofar as I can. But I also don’t want to kid anybody.

I am only able to protest in this way because I have a tremendous amount of freedom. (That’s the word I’m using these days instead of “privilege,” which has too much baggage attached.) I don’t want to gloat over my unfair advantages in life, but I have to acknowledge that society sees me in a generous light for many reasons that have nothing to do with who I really am. Demographically, I am the Women’s March on Washington; I’m comfortable and non-threatening. And that’s the only way I’m getting away with this shit.

I also have the freedom to spend hours doing what I want to do. I was able to start volunteering in my thirties because I had the time and energy to do so. I have no kids, my job is extremely flexible, my lifestyle is secure. Because of this freedom, I get to volunteer/protest and feel good about myself and collect praise for going above and beyond. Meanwhile, many other people have the motivation to volunteer or protest, but not the means.

Again, all praise is appreciated! All praise is cooked in a spoon over a lighter and drawn into a syringe and injected into my arm! I just don’t want to defraud you now and disappoint you later.

I also appreciate your loving concern for my safety. So far, I have not felt unsafe in anyone’s presence, but I admit that I have a New Yorker’s arrogance about being able to handle myself in public. Schizophrenic people on the subway don’t scare me (which is good, because they often want to talk to a person with a sign), nor do rowdy schoolkids (even when they’re trying to scare people), nor do Trump supporters (as long as there’s not too many of them at once).

As per my (limited) training in self-defense, I am always on alert, peripherally aware, using reflections in windows to monitor people riding or walking behind me, standing in wide open public places with my back to a wall. Never waiting at the platform edge. Always keeping my head up and my body in balance, always in sneakers and a backpack for ease of movement. I was this vigilant even before the sign.

But maybe I’m kidding myself. Maybe it’s just been luck that’s kept me safe these past two months. I don’t want to be reckless or put myself in danger. Your concern is causing me to re-evaluate my security, always a good thing to do.

Tl;dr: Thanks for the very kind words and for encouraging me to be safe. I wish kindness and safety for all of you too.

(To read Kumbaya, Motherfucker in chronological order, click here.)