Yesterday and today, at around noon, I stood silently in front of the flagpole (with a bronze First Amendment plaque at the base) on the quad on our campus. I held the second in a series of 2024 protest signs.

It was cold and windy. So I wore my pink knit cap.

On Wednesday a somewhat older long-haired and bearded incel walked by, noticed my sign and yelled, “Resist what?” He approached and I answered, “In two months you’re going to have to make a choice…” He interrupted, “Oh, you mean Trump.” He then walked off yelling something I couldn’t hear because of the wind. I asked a young women standing nearby who witnessed the exchange, “Did you hear what he said?” She shook her head, then said, “I like your hat. And I agree with you.” There were also more positive reactions and conversations with others. There was the distraction of an itinerant preacher, in front of the student union, chastising students for their alleged moral failings.

From my vantage at the flagpole I can see the reactions of passersby in the distance. I can easily observe those who hesitate and then change direction to approach me.

Today the Governor of Missouri was on campus for a photo-op. I didn’t see him. It was cold and windy.

A student approached me at the flagpole and extended his right hand. We shook hands, smiled at each other, and didn’t say a word. He then continued on his way.

Later, I had a lengthy conversation with a student who had served in the Marines for four years. We were on the same wavelength.

Previously:

Sanewashing on the road to normalcy (November 8, 2024)

Practical Dissent: Protest Signs (November 17, 2024)

Practical Dissent: Just Do It (November 19, 2024)