a birthday march

on december 20, 1969, i turned 21.  the voting age had not yet been lowered to 18, so birthday # 21 was special for me. 
it was also special for the amazing activities that day - and the fact that i had the energy to do it all (i say with a raised eyebrow) back then.  on that day our anti-war protest group gathered for a march...from burk burnette park in downtown fw to general dynamics. 
[aside:  i have googled and binged and wikipediaed and can find nothing, absolutely nothing in the paper or on the news or anywhere about this protest.]
it was about 12 miles from start to finish.  i wore my favorite moccasins and by the end of our trek there were holes in the soles and my feet had blisters.  AND we made an impact because there were lots of folks reporting on us and we were on tv.  there were hecklers (to phrase it politely).   to their crude gestures and remarks we gave the peace sign and now and again others mirrored our finger "V"s and encouraged us.
the police rode alongside of our parade to either protect us or catch us doing something they could arrest us for.  there were the fbi looking guys with the suits, black shoes and white sox...and they made their lists and took photos covertly.
David and i were "marshals" - can you believe it?  we had black armbands to signify that if someone was in trouble or needed help they should come to us.  if they were being hassled they should let us know.  we marched along the perimeter of the line of protestors with signs saying 'make love not war', PEACE, etc.
one of our members (a small group of about 20-25) who was petite and had holes in her shoes too, gave out just about a mile from our destination. 
David carried her on his back - literally - for the last few steps. 
[i don't know where his strength, physically and of character comes from, except from spirit;  he would do the same thing today if someone needed a lift.]
when we got to GD we were met with suspicious eyes for the most part and were told we could not go any further than the gate.  we had brought flowers along with us and we handed them out to the gun holding guards...some pushed them away but so many accepted them and it made me cry to see that people can do so much when they speak out and stand up.  that hearts can be reached by grand AND simple gestures.
we were all so tired and rode gladly back home with friends who had driven along with us in case of emergency.
that night David threw me a surprise birthday party. 
when i look back and re-feel my 21st anniversary of coming into this plane, i am proud.  i DID something very fullfilling to celebrate it.
Happy Birthday to ME!!.

baby's first civil rights protest

i was about 6 months pregnant with Leif when we pulled a 'sting' type caper at Kenny's Club in downtown FW.  I think of it as Leif's first protest.
David's co-worker, Frank, came by with his girlfriend to tell us what had  happened to them.   He and Nancy had gone to a club and sat in a booth and had been refused service.  Frank is Afro-American, Nancy, Caucasion.  They were told by the bartender that the club was 'private' and by invitation only.  Looking for any signs indicating that, they saw none.  When they insisted on service the bouncer guy came out and they felt threatened and left.
Now, at our house, we brainstormed and came up with a plan.  A civil protest. 
So it was that Frank and Nancy went back to their respective homes and changed their appearance as best they could.  When they returned to pick us up they were really incognito ~ Nancy in her short blonde wig covering her long brown hair and Frank in a suit and hat - he even had some funky glasses to complete the outfit.
Off we went to see what we could see.  Nancy and i walked into the bar and sat at a booth.  Waiter comes and takes our order (DP for me and my little one), something more exotic for Nancy.  A man down the way offered to buy us drinks but we refused.  We had no trouble at all getting service.
David and Frank then walk into the club and sit at the bar.  Barkeep says they can not serve them because it is a members only club.  They have him repeat it and say where is it stated?  The manager comes out and says sorry but you'll have to leave as Kenny's is for members and guests of members.
David points to me - by now the 5 or 6 guys (white) in the building are watching and waiting - and David says "what about those ladies over there?"  Manager says they're members.  Frank says "i don't think so."
Manager: "yes they are."
Me:  "no we're not."
David:  " well the pregnant one is not a member; i know for a fact because she is my WIFE!"
A lot of tough talk ensued and quite a few stunned and glaring looks my way.  So we quietly left for our safety but we had made a point even if just to a few. 
Next day, Frank called Ora Compton, with the city's EEOC.  Kenny's owner had to go to court to explain the actions of his staff and was granted a members only option and forced to put a sign in the window that told the public it was a private club.
We have no idea whether it caused them any financial or moral inconvenience, but it did close them down until the issue was settled and maybe it made them, or one of their customers there that night, think about the policy.
I don't know but i was/am glad to have made a statement about how people are treated. 
Leif was interviewed by FW Weekly about his New Black Panther Party involvement several years back.  He was asked where he got his sense of social justice and he told them it was because his mom "dragged" him along to all sorts of protests when he was growing up.
I don't think he realizes (til he reads this anyhow) that his awareness of responsibility to speak up for right began in the womb.