Thoughts on a Peace March

I'm not sure what makes me uncomfortable about walking down Highway 99 for 24 blocks with other people carrying peace signs. Still, I'm frustrated / embarrassed / ashamed to say I was uncomfortable.

We attended the interfaith peace walk this evening. This is the second time we've gone. It was held at the First Baptist Church in town (not our "home" congregation). First off there was a good speaker, then we (people from the many different churches in town) walked quietly up and down Highway 99 carrying peace signs. Many people honked (presumably) in support, but this was not a universal sentiment. One guy yelled "Bomb Iraq" over and over as he passed the column. Another driver looked straight ahead and drove by with his middle finger stuck up at us outside his window. Most just drove by, eyes fixed on the road, seemingly pretending we weren't there.

As radical public spectacles go, this all seems fairly tame. I mean, really, who argues about peace? How is this a controversial subject? No one carried any campaign signs, and I even carried a big American flag with a Peace flag (smaller) underneath. It seems Christianity's view is open and shut on this subject, as are all the major religions. Politicians (even the hawks) all voice their hope for peace. So why the self-consciousness walking down the street, why does this simple appeal inspire vitriol?

I suppose in an election year, with a very polarized electorate, that "Peace" is somehow synonymous with Democrats, or liberals. Well, it shouldn't be. The fact that this group (and our family) has been doing this for the last three years should show that candidate advancement (or any particular political cause outside of Peace) is not a motivation. But that is not readily apparent, I suppose, to someone driving by.

It seems about the only thing that one in this society can be universally passionate about without causing discomfort is allegiance to a sports team. Put team flags on your car and drive around, no one bats an eye. Invite others over to your house to spend hours discussing and cheering on your team, and you're just another sports fan. But have the same sort of passion about something of real relevance, something that directly affects people's lives (be they families suffering through the horrors of war or billions of dollars spent on futile bombs and bribes) and invite stereotyping and derision.

I tend, by nature, to avoid conflict. I'm the guy who would rather eat the wrong meal than trouble the waiter by telling them that's not what I ordered. I know that is part of my discomfort in partaking of something like this, no matter how noble the cause. I don't want to offend anyone, even those whose views I find offensive. That can't be good. But I also know that little of substance or value is accomplished by timidity, so thus my periodic ventures into regions outside of my comfort zone.

I also think such exercises are of value in learning empathy. As a wealthy American Christian white male, I don't really spend any time with people making false assumptions about me, or disdaining me because of who I am or who they perceive me to be. To spend even 30 minutes in a minimally vulnerable position, and find I've provoked a hostile shout or an obscene gesture from a passing driver, can be eye opening. I can't imagine what it must be like to have people consistently hate you because of the color of your skin, or condemn you to hell because of who you choose to love, or pity you because of a disability. I think if we all could somehow be exposed more to each others vulnerabilities, we would have much less of a need to march for Peace.