Thinking back on an interview I did for @StoryCorps in 2007 with a couple who'd participated in civil rights marches in Memphis in the 60s.
"What do you want ppl to know about those protests that they don't?"
"People don't know how much FUN we had!" the wife answered.
1/x
"What do you want ppl to know about those protests that they don't?"
"People don't know how much FUN we had!" the wife answered.
1/x
She said ppl just see the dogs and firehose and the cops, and yes they were scary.
But she said they had FUN—"We sang, we danced, we prayed, we were so happy to be together!"
I have thought about this a LOT over the years.
2/x
But she said they had FUN—"We sang, we danced, we prayed, we were so happy to be together!"
I have thought about this a LOT over the years.
2/x
Protesting and covering protests can be scary, especially when the teargas and the riot gear come in.
But in gay rights, Occupy and BLM protests I've covered, there is a great amount of joy. Laughter. Fun, even!
There is no joy greater than standing up for one another.
3/x
But in gay rights, Occupy and BLM protests I've covered, there is a great amount of joy. Laughter. Fun, even!
There is no joy greater than standing up for one another.
3/x
This might surprise some ppl, but I have a lot of faith in many of the American ppl. My years organizing gay pride marches at church & covering BLM marches makes me believe ppl LOVE getting together, making banners, creating slogans to make the world more fair & loving.
4/x
4/x
Forced into isolation for months, ppl are socially & spiritually hungry. Yes, it's scary, but there's pleasure for ppl to congregate, create chants, stick up for one another, to work together in concert in art and song and dance and community.
It is, in a word, fun.
5/x
It is, in a word, fun.
5/x
It was absurd to me that the ruling class thought they could send everyone home, starve them of resources, kill one of the least amongst them, and think no one would fight back.
The ruling class also underestimated the joy ppl would take in fighting back.
6/x
The ruling class also underestimated the joy ppl would take in fighting back.
6/x
I wish there had been no homophobia to drive me to my first prides—but they were FUN!
I wish there had been no mgmt bs to drive me to a union bargaining table—but they were kinda fun, too.
And I wish there were no racism to drive anyone to these marches.
But...
7/x
I wish there had been no mgmt bs to drive me to a union bargaining table—but they were kinda fun, too.
And I wish there were no racism to drive anyone to these marches.
But...
7/x
...but I met the closest friends of my life making pride floats with Middle Church, bargaining with my coworkers at the Voice, and covering BLM and Occupy protests alongside other Black journalists.
In these crucibles, we shared tension, terror, love and—yes–fun.
8/x
In these crucibles, we shared tension, terror, love and—yes–fun.
8/x
There is no joy like standing up for another.
It sure beats capitulating.
It is more pleasurable than going to Disneyland.
It is actually fun to sing & dance & write & march & be in the world together over meaningful things together.
9/x
It sure beats capitulating.
It is more pleasurable than going to Disneyland.
It is actually fun to sing & dance & write & march & be in the world together over meaningful things together.
9/x
So to those reporting & marching, amidst the gas & cops & fear: Remember that elderly lady who recalls her days with SNCC, and who wanted the world to know there was fun to be had.
As you put your body on the line for us all, may you know love, courage—and fun.
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
10/10
As you put your body on the line for us all, may you know love, courage—and fun.
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
10/10
