Feminists Elaborate: The patriotism of protesting

“Protesting is stupid.”

“Protesting is for whiny liberals who don’t get their way.”

“Marching never accomplishes anything and is pointless.”

Time and time again I scroll through Facebook and listen to relatives and friends talk about why they think protesting is stupid. It's infuriating and I have a few things to say.

To those who say that protests never get anything done, take a look at the history of the country that you love so much. America was built on protesting. The America that you are so proud of was once a British colony until the people facing oppression fought back. We pride ourselves on our freedom, our democracy, our diversity; but these are all things won through intense and often violent struggle. Civil rights sprung from the cries for justice of the oppressed and rightfully so. The women's right to vote came from protesting. Some of the proudest moments in American history were when protests and civil disobedience brought radical change. But we must remember that often America was arrayed against the protestors. Almost always the protestors were fighting the government, corporations and the dominant culture to win basic rights. Those struggling for equality were told that the fight was too big, their own voice too small, their protest too meaningless. They were told they were too angry, too loud, too rude. However, it is never the right of the oppressor to tell the oppressed how they should express the anger that comes from the denial of basic human rights.

Protesting injustice is your civic duty. Dissent is patriotic. It is the most invigorating feeling to know that you are fighting for something you believe in. Before college I never went to protests, I would just tell people my stance on an issue, but I never felt that anyone was listening to what I was saying. Then I found people who understood, people who wanted to fight for equality, people who wanted to make a real change. My first rally hit me like a brick and it was then that I finally realized that I was being heard and that protesting does make a difference. There will always be those whose opinions are so closed that they can’t be swayed, but we march for the people who can be educated, we boycott for those who don’t have enough information, and we rally for those who never knew there was a problem. 

Stand up, fight back.

To those who are questioning whether they should join a protest or not: do it. To those who don’t want their rights dictated by corporations, the one percent or straight-rich-white men – go out and do something. 

To those who know there is a problem and want to change it, speak up. Never accept injustice. Do not allow anyone to tell you that fighting for justice is stupid. Fighting for fundamental human rights is not “whiny” because all humans deserve rights, whether it's the right to be safe, the right to be happy or the right to be equal. Lastly, if you're criticizing people marching and fighting for freedoms they don’t have, you should take a step back and question why you have such a problem with it. Is it because it doesn’t concern you so you think that it shouldn’t concern anyone? Or is it because you are so afraid that if everyone gets equal rights you will lose your own precious privilege?

Ruby Cochran is a sophomore studying business pre-law and accounting at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to ask Ruby more about the importance of protesting? Email her at rc000414@ohio.edu.