Lessons learned in a parking lot you need to know at the march
Things I've learned about dealing with protesters in a parking lot that you're going to need to know on a DC street on Saturday. Please read the whole thing, but the bottom line is: Do. NOT. Engage. Don't talk. Don't explain. Don't argue. DO. NOT. ENGAGE.
1) The answer to "Hi, I'm Eric/Suzy" is "Hello" or a nod. Period.
2) The response to "Come over and talk to me" is to do neither.
3) The answer to "I just want to talk to you" or "Can we talk" or "I just want to understand where you're coming from" or "I just want to understand your heart" or "Explain to me" is to shake your head and move on.
REPEAT: SHAKE YOUR HEAD AND MOVE ON, PERIOD.
4) The response to being handed something, especially if it's shoved at you unsolicited is to either keep your hands in your pocket and refuse it or to shove it into your pocket without looking. "Thank you" is not necessary. Stopping to look at it or to talk about it is a mistake.
The social contract insists that we engage politely. That we respond to questions and comments, especially ones that seem innocuous. That we stop and talk with anyone that talks to us. That we thank people for things that we never wanted. That we honestly answer questions. ALL OF THOSE ARE MISTAKES IN A PROTEST SITUATION. Counter protesters are using the social contract to literally stop you from what you're doing and pay attention to them instead and I guarantee you that there is no logic, no rhetoric, no persuasion that will explain your motivations to their satisfaction. If they're lucky, they'll use this wedge to goad you into doing something that they can catch on camera to make you look bad or, worse, goad you into doing something violent, and shouting counts here.
Do. Not. Engage. Look over their heads if necessary. Think of what a great story this will be to tell and move on.
1) The answer to "Hi, I'm Eric/Suzy" is "Hello" or a nod. Period.
2) The response to "Come over and talk to me" is to do neither.
3) The answer to "I just want to talk to you" or "Can we talk" or "I just want to understand where you're coming from" or "I just want to understand your heart" or "Explain to me" is to shake your head and move on.
REPEAT: SHAKE YOUR HEAD AND MOVE ON, PERIOD.
4) The response to being handed something, especially if it's shoved at you unsolicited is to either keep your hands in your pocket and refuse it or to shove it into your pocket without looking. "Thank you" is not necessary. Stopping to look at it or to talk about it is a mistake.
The social contract insists that we engage politely. That we respond to questions and comments, especially ones that seem innocuous. That we stop and talk with anyone that talks to us. That we thank people for things that we never wanted. That we honestly answer questions. ALL OF THOSE ARE MISTAKES IN A PROTEST SITUATION. Counter protesters are using the social contract to literally stop you from what you're doing and pay attention to them instead and I guarantee you that there is no logic, no rhetoric, no persuasion that will explain your motivations to their satisfaction. If they're lucky, they'll use this wedge to goad you into doing something that they can catch on camera to make you look bad or, worse, goad you into doing something violent, and shouting counts here.
Do. Not. Engage. Look over their heads if necessary. Think of what a great story this will be to tell and move on.