I put my views out there. I pressed send to my “Snapchat story,” on a cold Tuesday afternoon. I thumbed the crowd. Students of all races, religions, electrified the campus like an unyielding fire, glowing atop Hawk Hill, swimming in yellow and ceruse signs. This was my first protest. The first time I could feel the energy that rubbed off my classmates. The love.
This protest, St Joseph’s University’s “March for All,” welcomed immigrants and refugees and diversity on campus, and it was magnificent. Students with their paper teacups, stifling through crowds in between classes, gripping their poster boards while chanting things like “SJU for All.”
So later when I was snuggled upon my sofa, I clicked on my snapchat munching on my carrots and sipping my beany black coffee, I was taken aback by an old “friend,” who opposed my Snapchat story so greatly, he felt the need to message me privately.
“Omg get a job. What are you protesting. It’s a 120 day review. If the refugees are so great why don’t you house them at your place.”
Woah. I almost spit out my pungent-overly-bitter-coffee whose job was solely to get me buzzed for class. The caffeine didn’t kick in enough yet for this.
The first thing that struck me was that familiar angry “get a job!” response to anyone who protests. Like-when people were telling the women marching in Washington this very same thing, when in reality it was a weekend (and most people work on the weekdays…soooo).
This small campus march was about 45 minutes to an hour long, taking place during free period, so the argument had no relevancy. (And I do have a job, thank you very much). But besides the point, his other arguments didn’t make any sense.
“What are you protesting?” Well, we’re protesting the inclusion of immigrants and help for refugees. What we’re ultimately protesting is acceptance. We were protesting calmly to be a campus that includes everyone.
“It’s a 120 day review.” While that may be true, we weren’t protesting Donald Trump’s policies. We weren’t decoding his 120 day review. We were protesting how it made our neighbors, our loved ones-feel. We wanted to make sure they still felt loved.
“If the refugees are so great, why don’t you house them at your place.” To this I respond: Happily! I am currently looking up ways to get more involved in the refugee crisis.
Ultimately, the protest may have seemed to have little effect-but it was something that created a passion inside me that I know will follow me. I am suddenly excited to get involved. Even if some of my Snapchat friends don’t like it.
