April 11, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: Resistance can come in many forms. Peaceful resistance is one of them.
I’ve been attending the Friday rallies in downtown Lexington from 4 to 5:30 p.m. We’re holding signs for the things about our country we love, value and care about. I feel deeply concerned about our democracy. I want our national leaders to follow the law and preserve the many services provided to our people. I heard someone say that what we’re doing at the rallies isn’t courageous, or enough. I think they meant that we’re not putting up a fight, or that it doesn’t matter what we say or do. But I don’t believe that. I think it all matters.
I agree with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that “hate is too great a burden to bear.” I’d rather come from the point of view of love when I make my sign. This process demands more of me because I have to investigate what is behind the feelings of hate and despair about current events. When I use this approach for articulating what’s worth protecting, I can connect with others from a peaceful place.
Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Han taught me that if I act from hate, I will suffer 100 times more. As an American in these times, I want us all to understand one another and suffer less.
Finally, I agree with historian Heather Cox Richardson who says successful American movements are what she calls a “onetwo punch.” It takes both a more gentle approach (like these Rallies) and more raucous protests to create change. We need them both.
Regardless of how we resist, let’s all stand up to defend our democracy, the law, and all people.
Fridays at the corner of Main and Washington is a good first step. CAROLINE COONS Rockbridge County
