By now, everyone is familiar with the white supremacists who held a “rally” in Charlottesville, VA. I put that in quotes because extremists don’t hold rallies – they hold gatherings that are designed to cause problems.
There was a counter protest, which we all heard about. And there was violence. And even three deaths as a result. Evil usually demands a blood sacrifice, this would be no different.
Frankly I’m tired of white supremacists and their tactics and their belief that their ideas are just a-ok and deserve attention. I understand the desire to hold counter rallies. But here’s some things that concern me with these counter rallies.
What is the purpose of the supremacists in holding a “rally?” to cause problems. Why? To get attention, ultimately. What happens when there is a major counter-protest? The counter protestors give the supremacists exactly what they were seeking – attention. When we give attention to something, we give it legitimacy as if the ideas presented were of equal weight and consideration. Let’s be clear, they aren’t.
I understand that we want to speak out firmly against what the supremacists stand for. I agree. I just wonder if there is a different way to go about it. A way that wouldn’t give the supremacists what they wanted – attention. It seems as though the supremacists plan their rallies so that they hope there is a counter-rally. It just adds to the attention. They are sure to get coverage because emotions run high when you have something like this that touches people’s nerves and identity.
The problem with this is that the supremacists end up controlling the message of the day – they become the focus. Their hatred is the message. The violence that they cause is what is displayed and talked about. They get what they want.
I’d rather see something else take place. What if we responded differently?
These protests are known in advance. That gives communities time to think through a response. Here’s my idea. Instead of holding a counter rally that gives the inmates of the asylum a full voice and all the attention they want, why not give them no attention at all. But do it a coordinated way that is very unique, that is active, and changes the message completely. In other words, change the rules of the game. If the supremacists desire attention and want there to be a counter rally – do what you can to change that so they get minimal attention and the message is not in their control.
How would this happen? Here’s one idea – get everyone to vacate town. What if the town became a ghost town on the day of the supremacists rally. Not a soul in opposition – no one there at all. No one waving any banners. No one chanting at the supremacists. Just an empty town. You see, everyone has a right to speak. But that doesn’t mean we have to listen. It doesn’t mean that what everyone speaks is of equal value and worth.
By way of analogy, take a different situation – when a toddler starts to pitch a fit in a mall, they are seeking attention to get whatever it is they want. When we pay attention to the toddler and respond, or fight with them, or talk with them at all, we are giving the toddler exactly what the toddler wants – control over the situation. Instead, the best thing you can do is realize you are the adult and they are the child. You ignore them completely, even to the point of walking away. You can’t rationalize with a toddler – they don’t have the capacity for rational conversation. You aren’t going to convince them to stop their fit. You just need to walk away. Frankly, these supremacists are no different – only more violent and irrational than a toddler and a bit older (Which means they ought to know better).
If everyone vacated town, it would send a message that the supremacists words are being shunned because they carry no worth and no value. It would also draw attention away from the supremacists to the counter message, if you want to call it that. In this case, you’d have one spokesperson for the town. Someone who could do any interviews the media wanted. It would be best if it was a pastor or someone who could speak from a religious context. The response to any question would be similar – it wouldn’t be to engage in any conversation about the supremacists. Instead, it would be to offer prayers for those that are hurting, prayers for those that are filled with hatred and rage, prayers for those that separate. It would be to shift the focus from the message of the supremacists to a different message – a message of grace, forgiveness, and care for all who come to the town. It would be a message of non-violence. A message that says that we pray for those who are fearful and violent. It would be a simple message, repeated over and over again. It would be said in a calm manner – signifying with body language that there is no intimidation, there is confidence in a better way of living and behaving. It would be displaying a vision for what an alternative way of living would look like and behave.
Could this kind of response be pulled off? I don’t know. The larger the city, the harder that would be. The more likely that others from outside of the town would come in to counter protest. And realize that this way of thinking about countering the supremacists is very different from the norm. Which is why I would be curious to see how well it would work. And there is an added benefit – because this would be an unusual response, it would throw the supremacists off kilter. They probably wouldn’t know what to do. They might even wrap it up quickly and go home. This would be telling – it would signify that all they really want is attention, and they didn’t get it.
I welcome your thoughts on how to respond to extremists actions in unique ways that disrupt the message they spout. Please share them in the comments section.
These are good points and creative suggestions!
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I’m just tired of seeing the same routine over and over again. There has got to be a different way of dealing with this in which the extremists are the ones being proactive and holding the initiative and determining the flow of what will happen.
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Matt, the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg has a Community Responders Network (CRN) that has twice recently responded to a protest/rally with an affirmative counterprotest held at a different location. The first was early last November when there was a Nazi rally on the steps of the State capital in Harrisburg, while those with the opposite message packed the auditorium at John Harris High School on the other side of town. The more recent was in June when 300 gathered in a unity rally, packing a Baptist Church in Harrisburg, while an anti-Sharia march happened in the vicinity of the State capital. Information about this can be found on the YWCA Greater Harrisburg website, under “What We Do” and “Community Responders Network.” I have been very impressed with the YW’s efforts to combat many “ism’s” and their work to create allies through their monthly forums held each third Thursday from 8 to 10 AM. And the CRN has been actively working to do just what you’re suggesting since 2008.
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Thanks for sharing that Sandy. Counter protests away from the “rallies” are a much better response than confrontation. At the same time, what frustrates me is that these are held in response to these “rallies” meaning that the extremists are setting the agenda and determining counter protest schedules. Why do we allow the inmates of the asylum to set the agenda? Why aren’t we being proactive instead of reactive? These are not easy questions and I’m sure there are no easy answers. But I can still ask the questions.
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OK, lay down your attitude for a moment and go back and read the last sentence of my post again! The YW IS being proactive in their monthly forums which I’ve been participating in for over a year! And, no, they’re not just some well-meaning people spouting platitudes – for the last 6 months presenters have been giving uncomfortable, squirm-in-your-seats ways for us white- and other-privileged folks to actually be allies to Muslims, people of color, LGBTQ+, Latinos, immigrants, victims of violence, people with disabilities, women, etc. IF we’re serious about being so! The mission of the Diversity Forums is to foster inclusive, action-oriented communities through educational forums that promote and facilitate dialogue, best practices, and solutions. I have learned much and been empowered by the Forums. And the CRN does not just hold reactive events, but joins with other area groups, some faith-based, some not, in offering opportunities for the diverse voices of our one community to come together in support. Matt, your posts have repeatedly encouraged me to remember who my savior is and from where my strength and refuge comes. The YW has given me encouragement to use the privilege/gifts with which I’ve been blessed to share that strength and refuge, THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE TRYING TO DO WHAT YOU SUGGEST!
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Sandy, Thank you. I apologize for making it sound like nothing positive is happening. I think a bit of frustration was hitting me. You are right, there are groups like the YW that are being proactive and are doing great things. Thank you for knocking some sense into me.
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I knew you were out of your norm! THANK YOU for so often bringing sense to me in the first place!
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