Marching ‘Against’ vs Marching ‘For’
Waiting for the march to start, May 25, 2013
Yesterday, I marched in the “March Against Monsanto” here in New York City.
Many of my ‘growing up years’ in Greensboro, North Carolina during the 1950’s and 1960’s were about marching and demonstrations for civil rights. However, over the past years, I think really hard about whether I want to participate in a demonstration, rally or march.
I’m not eager to participate in events that I have little control over. I know what the agenda is supposed to be. I know what my agenda is. But in large groups of people, even though they show up, I cannot be sure that everyone else shares the same common goal and similar means of attaining it.
However, needless for me to say, pure food is high on my list of priorities in my life. I don’t want people or corporations messing with my food! I know that when someone is allowed to manipulate our food — control our food — they are manipulating and controlling our health and our lives. I wanted to show my support. I went. I’m glad I did. I applaud all those who worked diligently to make this world-wide event a success.
Before I went, I had a talk with myself. I told myself that although this is called the “March Against Monsanto”. I am not marching ‘against’ anything. I want to march ‘for’ something. I get it — that the name Monsanto had to be prominent. I get that people need to know who this corporation is and what they are about.
However, in my heart, I will not and did not march ‘against’ them. I will not make them the star of my march. I marched ‘for’ me and the people I love. I was marching ‘for’ our right to eat what and how we choose to eat.
Mother Teresa said she would not march against the Vietnam War. She said she would, however, march for peace. I understand this. Fighting ‘for’ something feels a lot more empowering and uplifting than fighting — pushing — struggling — ‘against’ something. Fighting or standing ‘for’ something is also a lot less stressful.
Should someone attack me? I will fight ‘for’ my life — ‘for’ my right to live and ‘for’ my freedom.
