Wearing my pussy hat at the 2018 Women’s March in Chicago
The first time I remember really questioning authority was during the Vietnam War. There were many slogans I chanted, among them:
- Hey, hey LBJ. How many kids did you kill today?
Don’t trust anyone over 30.
War is not good for children and other living creatures.
War on poverty, not people.
When I started blogging, I named my blog “Still Advocating” — and indeed I am.
My parents, especially my father, were appalled. What happened to that compliant good girl they sent off to college?
Later, heartbroken over the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, and the riots during the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago (the whole world is watching), there was no way I would support Hubert Humphrey. In retrospect, he was a good man, but I wanted Gene McCarthy to be nominated. Sadly, “Dump the Hump” ushered in the dreaded Richard Nixon and more war in Vietnam. And then along came the resignation of the disgraced Vice President Agnew, followed by Nixon’s resignation in the Wake of the Watergate scandal. By this point, I pretty much questioned all authority. After being so excited about JFK’s election, I was now a jaded skeptic about all things political well before I turned 30.
Of course, Obama’s election filled me with “hope and change.” We all know how that turned out. Trump’s election in 2016 was a backlash that I didn’t anticipate. Now, I must question political authority again. How can so many people support a twice impeached, twice indicted ex-president?
There is also the sad task of working for women’s rights that seemed so secure … until they weren’t. How does our country find itself with fewer abortion rights than those I took for granted all of my adult life? My granddaughters face a future in which they have to battle for things I once fought for — gender equality, respect for women, the right to make decisions about their own bodies, and even the right to read whatever books they want.
The other authority I questioned most of my life centers on education. As a former teacher, when my first child entered the public-school system, I tried to support his teachers and was hesitant to advocate when things happened that I knew professionally and as a parent were not right. That didn’t last long. I found myself politely and respectfully questioning the policies of some teachers, school administrators, and school boards. Later, as an early childhood administrator, I found myself questioning the educational authorities who pushed for more academics for young children and more standardized testing, starting with kindergarten.
When I started blogging, I named my blog “Still Advocating” — and indeed I am. I have questioned all types of authorities when their decisions were not supported by research, science, and truth. Even when I am approaching three times being over age 30, trust me. I will still be be advocating for just causes and questioning authority.
Laurie LevyBoomer. Educator. Advocate. Eclectic topics: grandkids, special needs, values, aging, loss, & whatever. Author: Terribly Strange and Wonderfully Real.
Thanx Laurie and brava for the story of your own activism. Or should I say no thanx for the reminder of how our country has regressed – Roe v Wade and the travesties in Florida for starters. Indeed we should be raging in the streets..
I’m feeling too old for raging in the streets, but I’m raging inside.
You cover great issues here, Laurie, from the political ones of our youth, to the dreadful ones we face now. I agree, how can any sane person continue to support a twice-impeached, corrupt, lying, indicted, thin-skinned vain ignoramus? But I’m not a member of his cult and the opportunists who, for political gain, have rammed through those horrid changes that have taken away so many rights (for women, for education, for the freedom of LGTBQ+ people) to be who they are. We must vote them all out!
Love your description of our corrupt ex-prez. I agree, but we must ensure our elections are free and fair to get rid of these awful people.
Laurie, your article is amazing! I believe that this article has an important inspirational significance for each and every one of us. Even if we have made mistakes, as long as we can recognize our mistakes and are willing to change, we will definitely be able to regain our dignity and value. Furthermore, your article reminds us that on the path to pursuing justice, equality, and fairness, we cannot go it alone, but need to unite and work together. This is not only to achieve personal goals, but also to create a better society where everyone can enjoy equal opportunities and dignity.
In this increasingly complex world, we need more articles like yours to inspire and enlighten us, guiding us towards the right path. I believe that as long as we adhere to the beliefs of justice, equality, and fairness, we will surely create a brighter future for ourselves and others.
Thank you Amy. I have always believed what Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
You nailed the “generational spirit” of our cohort then and now with some really nicely chosen details. “Thanks for the memories.” (That was Bob Hope.)
Thanks, Dale. I do remember Bob Hope saying that all of the time, but I really understand it now.
1 step up and 2 steps back? L, love the sign “I can’t believe I still have to protest this shit again”. We have a lot in common, especially teaching in early childhood. They stripped the word ‘play’ from the curriculum. Still cringe whenever Chris Christie appears on screen. Like you, I intend to demonstrate in whatever capacity I can for the rest of my life. Thanks Laurie for the inspiration.
Thanks to you, Patty. It certainly feels like we are back to square one these days. When the play housekeeping areas and easels were stripped from kindergarten (and some early childhood programs), I had to speak up. Still feel pretty passionate about that.
Laurie, I enjoyed reading through your timeline of advocacy and your skepticism about those in authority, especially in government. Clearly the Trump years caused so many thinking Americans to question almost everyone in that administration, most especially the man-child in charge. It’s unthinkable that this country should have to endure that again.
I totally agree with you, Jim. After two impeachments, and two indictments (with more to follow), how can people think this man should be our president.
“Amen” to Amy’s remarks. You have written the history of the protest to authority that lasted for many decades . By the way, I looked for myself in your protest picture. I am sorry we never met. So many good stories.
Thanks, Richard. Were you at the Chicago Women’s Marches? The first one made me feel hopeful that we could survive Trump. By the second one, I knew better.