Confessions Of A Protester Trying To Make Things Right
I have a confession to make. When I was 19 and 20, I used to get paid to protest. It all started innocently enough during a mall visit. A guy approached me, offering lunch, a t-shirt, and a $10 gift card if I’d protest outside Macy’s.
“What’s the protest about?” I asked.
“Just that we’re not getting paid enough or given enough hours,” he said. “We deserve better!”
“Sounds like a good cause,” I replied, grabbing the goodies. For an hour and a half, I walked around shouting slogans in front of the store, pretending to be a victim even though I wasn’t really affected.
It was so much fun that I did it again the next summer in front of a Hilton hotel where plumbers were on strike for better wages. Again, I got a free lunch, $10, and a sign that said, “Pay us fairly or we’ll blow your shit up!” It was a blast!
I get why people protest now. Some are paid or sponsored, like I was. Others genuinely believe they’re making a difference by chanting and hanging out.
Sure, maybe they could spend that time polishing their resumes and acing interviews. But sometimes, drumming and hugging is just too irresistible!
If I were jobless and living at home, I’d probably be out there, too, soaking in the love of the crowd. Times are tough, and coming together to sing feels good!
I do it myself with my trusty old Martin acoustic guitar. I know some of you might not know exactly what you’re protesting about, but remember, taxpayers made over $10 billion from TARP bailout money, not Wall St. But hey, who cares? It’s all about spreading love.
Dear fellow protesters, keep it up! Maybe try going naked to really stick it to rampant capitalism and income inequality! And if you’re one of the 50% of Americans who pay no Federal income taxes, remember, Wall Street and capitalism haven’t taken a cent from you. Keep fighting the good fight!
Now, 10 years later in 2021, we’re protesting social injustice and inequality. We need to be anti-racist by speaking out and standing up instead of staying silent. An attack on one is an attack on all Americans.
I’ll keep using the Financial Samurai platform to speak out and shed light on issues that trouble me.
Fight on!
