Splicetoday

Politics & Media
Sep 05, 2013, 08:30AM

Where Are All the Protesters?

This is the new America.

Rsz syria  1 .jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1

Last week I really wanted to make a sign that said “I Am War Weary,” metro into D.C. and plant myself in front of the White House. I had visions of me, a solitary figure, standing firmly, protesting yet another U.S. military intervention. I was angry but didn’t know what to do with the anger. Calls to my Congressman didn’t seem to satisfy me.

I wanted to follow my social urge and not stand on the sidelines on this one, but I was also a bit scared to proceed alone. Could I just traipse into D.C. a lonely female demonstrator, safely able to exercise my freedom of speech? Would I be arrested? Would people harass me? I tried, online, to find an existing protest or one that was being planned. Nothing. Not a mention anywhere of Americans taking to the streets.

I did find numerous news reports and footage of thousands of protestors in London marching and carrying banners that said “Hands off Syria” and “Shame on you U.S.A.” I mentally gave kudos to Parliament for the stunning defeat against Prime Minister Cameron, keeping Britain from endorsing any military action in Syria.

My Internet surfing did come up with a recent Gallup poll indicating that 68 percent of Americans say the United States should not use military action in Syria to attempt to end the civil war there if diplomatic and economic efforts fail, while 24 percent would favor U.S. military involvement. I guess this is the new America. We protest by sitting in our living rooms watching reality shows until a pollster calls to ask our views on foreign policy. As the world debates the efficacy of a military strike against the al-Assad government in response to its use of chemical weapons on civilians, it’s clear that our people are weary of war but perhaps too weary to rebel against it.

As reporters were at the Rose Garden, waiting for President Obama to speak on Syria, the sounds of anti-war voices could be heard nearby. The reporter briefly mentioned that protestors had been outside the White House all week. Why did the networks make no mention of it? Why could I not find information on it and unite with them? Was the media told by the Obama administration that mum’s the word?

Protest movements in America reflect and influence mainstream politics. In order to understand our political system—and our social and political world—we need to pay attention to protest. I’m making my sign and following the social urge to join others this weekend in D.C. This time I’m not standing on the sidelines.

Discussion
  • I think the reason you see fewer protests these days is because they are no longer an efficient way of creating change. Now that there are so many web sites and cable channels, every opinion is voiced and possibly heard. Anti- war, MSNBC is there for you. Anti Obamacare, Fox is there for you. Raging liberal, go to Media Matters, maniacal rightie go listen to Rush. Apparently. these tunes tame the savage protester. Remember, the purpose of the protest was to get media attention so the media could put pressure on the government. If the media is already expressing your opinion, what good will a protest accomplish?

    Responses to this comment
  • Good points, people are more passive and can protest in comfort. But I think the biggest reason is: no draft. End of story.

    Responses to this comment
  • I agree with the comments from Spartan however Texan was spot on with his

    Responses to this comment
  • The mainstream media are just corporate and political shills at this point for, as Texan says, a targeted audience. Traditional media is just a PR mouthpiece. I want to hear what the American public think and not just via the Gallop and Pew Polls. Protests have been an integral part of our nation and have ramifications in regards to policy. Once set into place, social media can hopefully muster and amplify these.

    Responses to this comment

Register or Login to leave a comment