Global citizenry

Squid and I went to the San Francisco protest against Israel's actions in Gaza today. We didn't make signs or chant, just added to the throng, but it was good to go. I have been feeling very helpless about the whole thing - and I am, I mean, what can I do, but this was something, so I did.



Squid enjoyed it all from his backpack, chatting with the people handing out socialist literature about airplanes and charming the ambulance drivers parked nearby into flashing the lights for him and giving us a tour of the back of the ambulance. We talked a little bit about how the people were angry and sad, and how we were there to tell people who were hurting other people that we didn't like that and we wanted them to stop. There were counter-protesters across the street, and we talked about how not all people agree about what is right.

We hit the playground at the park where the rally was being held for fifteen minutes or so near the end, when he'd burnt out on walking around. There were some parents there teaching their three-year-old to chant, "Free! Free Palestine!" But I don't teach the Squid to chant or make him carry signs. He can make up his own mind about the issues when he gets older, though of course I won't be shy about sharing my opinions with him. I bring him with me because I want to model engagement for him, to show him that it's important to be informed and active in causes you care about. It's part of being a global citizen.

I'd like to model something more meaningful than rallies for him, but I'm still trying to figure out where and what volunteering and/or activism fits in to my life. And he's young enough that I have time to figure it out. In the meantime, this was good.