i Arrived

I arrived on the intersection of 17-92 and 436 with the sun hiding itself between light storm clouds that were swollen with water but not quite willing to let it go. There were between thirty and forty men, women and children stretched between the four corners of this busy intersection holding signs, attracting the attention of hundreds of cars passing by. I was immediately drawn to a man giving instructions to a woman who had arrived moments before me on how to hold the signs she had been trusted with so that they may be seen by traffic heading in two directions. The constant stop and go of traffic along with the offbeat honking and occasional shouting set the score for this event. I noticed a lonely girl carrying a five gallon water cooler from corner to corner offering a drink to those dedicated to their service. Each person held either one or two signs depicting gruesome photographs of aborted fetuses. These people were focused and intent on delivering a message that seemed to go against mortal law as well as our current presidential administration. Children as young as two were sitting patiently inches from the curb only slightly attended as their parents were either holding signs or shouting through megaphones. Many people passing by honked in approval boasting their support with cheers, holding their thumbs high in the air while others shouted their disapproval.

I felt as if I were standing on the front lines of a war surrounded by soldiers protecting themselves behind five foot shields that were cleverly designed to attract and distract the enemy. These people were guarded, their eyes set back showing no emotion as if they were willing to die for their cause. I was sure they would pick me out immediately and ask if I was for or against them, but quite the opposite happened. I was ignored as I passed from corner to corner. These people paid me no mind, not so much as a glance. I felt completely in the middle with my own opinions and questions irrelevant to what was going on around me. There was an organized flow that I could not interrupt. I entered this battlefield somewhat scared and opinionated but left confused. I agree with their anger and I may agree parts of their Pro-Life theology but I do not agree with their attempt. I watched the faces of many children in the cars passing by with their eyes locked on the photographs of these deformed mistakes and it made me sad. Children should not be exposed to such graphic horror and unfortunately the Pro-Life group throwing this protest did not agree. They compared their signs to Hollywood Horror movies that millions of Americans ingest daily but I cannot relate.

When I was young I participated in a Pro-Life rally with my parents through a church group. I felt like I was making a difference by speaking on behalf of those who could not speak yet. I was possibly giving life to a baby that might not have had the chance to breathe and experience this world that I enjoy so thoroughly. Now, maybe jaded by my life experiences I cannot feel comfortable telling someone how to deal with their personal situation and that God disapproves. As a child holding an anti-abortion sign on the side of the road I meant well, but was but a pawn and knew nothing of what abortion was. These people are passing judgment on one another in the name of a God that most people have never seen or heard. I want to shout back at them and tell them to focus on their own children who are sitting idly by the curb or walking six lanes of traffic to offer water. These children are blindly involved in their parent’s mission to convert others to their belief. I cannot sit comfortably amongst this crowd of self proclaimed warriors of the truth and trust that they know what they are doing. I love the anger these people have and they energy they put into challenging others beliefs but their actions are flawed. This assignment challenged my beliefs and that was quite uncomfortable.