Would that it Happened…Time for Elected Officials (and others me included) to Do Something

The vast majority of Democratic leaders in the House and Senate seem to be asleep and/or silenced as best as I can tell. And it is not the intentional silence that James Carville suggested until the right time to pounce (whenever that is) arrives. (This idea was in his NYTimes Opinion piece.). Some Democrats (10 of them I believe) even voted to censure the member who stood up (Rep. Al Green) and shouted out in protest to President T.

OK, elected folks are scared. T and EM and JDV might well come up with both $$ and candidates to run against them. JDV knows all about this since his seat was “bought” for him in the Senate. Yup. Look it up. The initials PT may help in the search.

So, now what? Fear has power. Speaking truth to power is tough sledding. Ask Anita Hill.

But, the meek protest (even too strong a word) at the Congressional speech earlier this week was pathetic. Pink shirts and small signs (except Rep. Green and a handful of others)? Come on here. T and EM and JDV require more protest than that. And, the ongoing behind the scenes efforts of Democrats (assuming they are happening) are not getting traction best as I can see/tell.

DON’T SHOUT; DO

I just learned a new word this morning that seems particularly apt and could have been used at the Congressional speech, and it could still be used when confronted with the meanness and lies and falsehoods and accusations and misbehavior of others. Actually, I plan to deploy this myself in the world in which I move to message loudly and clearly.

Bottom line: Words are no longer enough.

The critical action is: VOLTE-FACE. It means the act of turning oneself around so one faces in the opposite direction of the speaker. It also references an abrupt and complete change in attitude/position.

So, here’s the idea: turn one’s back literally and figuratively on speakers who utter falsehoods and who present lies in the name of truth. As in turn around and face the opposite direction. Literally: do an about-face. Literally circle 180 degrees. And, do it so others see, not just the utterer of meanness and falsehood. Do it often and in public places and spaces.

Here’s the point: message through one’s body that the meanness, lies, discrimination, narcissism, sexual abusiveness and slash and burn of lives and jobs and mental and physical wellness is, in a word: unacceptable. Turn on the sayers of these things.

Had Congresspeople done this in droves, it would have been considered rude by some (turning one’s back is a sign of rudeness) but it would have messaged louder and wider and deeper than wee signs and pink shirts.

Key point: The speaker, after the turns in the audience, has to speak to someone’s (or many people’s) back. And if you get your oxygen from spitting in the face of others, this is a show stopper.

And, moving forward, I will be turning my back (another expression) on those who fail to show grace and decency and wisdom and perspicacity and kindness toward the other. That’s it. I’m done with turning a “blind-eye.” I am done with tolerance. I am done with accepting bad behavior. (Watch out neighbors who act poorly.)

Volte-face.

I get that this is not enough to save the America I knew. It is not full blown activism. But it is a start with the potential to message, especially if noted and filmed and photographed by the media.

Time to turn…literally and figuratively.