Pink Hats, Posters, and The Choice We Make Now

Last updated on: January 24, 2017 at 7:00 am by Amy Butler

Pink Hats, Posters, and The Choice We Make Now 2017-01-24T01:18:55-04:00 Amy Butler

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I ran into someone the other day who had just returned from the women’s march in Washington and she had with her a poster from the march. As she unrolled it to show me she said, “I’m so glad I was there. I’m going to put this poster in a safe place so my granddaughter can have it one day!”

I know exactly how she feels. I spent most of Saturday down on the National Mall with about 500,000 other people (depending on who you ask). I’m glad I made the trip to Washington, because after a week of highs and lows for many in America just the act of being there gave me hope for the democratic process and for the future of humanity in general.

And, I was especially glad my kids attended with me, as I figure they are the ones who will inherit whatever mess we make. Every time I look at the pictures of pink hats flooding DC I’m proud to say, “I was part of that.”

I expect a lot of other participants in marches all over the world feel the same way I did. We came out to march in what was a powerful message to our new president. We came out to march for our kids and for ourselves and for the future we hope for. But not everyone understands that. Many people have asked – some genuinely trying to understand – why so many women and men poured into the streets in cities across our country and the world. What was the point?

If the only reason we marched was so that our kids could someday find our pink hats and protest signs when they clean out our attics, then it does seem to be a lot of wasted energy. Because the truth is, it’s not what millions of us did on Saturday that is going to change our world. What will really shape the future for ourselves and for our children are the actions we take each and every day in the months and years to come.

If we really care about the issues for which we marched: the rights of women and LGBTQ folks, racism in our country, the just treatment of immigrants, and so many more, it’s time to think hard about how we will use our pink hats and protest signs in the next four years. Insubstantial outrage might feel exciting for a little while, but it will exhaust us before too long.

Every person in the streets this weekend will have to articulate for themselves how they will continue to work for justice and peace. But for those of us who are Christian and marched or protested because of our faith, here are three guidelines that might help guide our actions:

First, everything we say or do should be grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This means that we reflect the qualities Jesus taught us, and it also means we are not shy about saying who we are and why we speak or act.

Second, we must engage in prophetic witness. This means we will not be afraid to speak the truth out loud, to say things that might be controversial, to advocate with and for those who cannot speak or advocate for themselves.

Third, we should always work to offer ourselves in relationship that moves us toward reconciliation. This means that everything we say or do should help us engage in relationship with others, especially those who are different than we are. So we tell stories of real life, we listen to the voices of others, we reach out to each other and to a world of different people with different perspectives, believing that relationships change us.

There’s much to be fixed in our country, and that’s not an alternative fact. There is a time and place to take to the streets. But when the crowds have gone home, and the cameras are put away, that is when our real work begins. Will we live what we say we believe? Will we speak and act with conviction, defending those who are most vulnerable while never denying the full humanity of any? If we do, then maybe one day we can look back on a world we have made a little more kind, a little more just, and we can tell our grandkids: “I was part of that.”

Originally posted on Baptist News Global.

Living in Relationship

Practicing Discipleship

Previous Post

January 22, 2017

Together

Next Post

January 29, 2017 Executive Order

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Answering the Call Being the Church Curating Wisdom Laughing Out Loud Living in Relationship Practicing Discipleship Reclaiming Baptist Speaking from the Pulpit Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005

Search for:

Pink Hats, Posters, and The Choice We Make Now

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Meta

Which book of the Bible is written as a song of love between a bride and groom?