The Littlest Rebel

I'm raising a rebel. Actually, I think I'm raising four rebels, but who would've thought that my sweet, innocent youngest offspring would take to it with such obvious glee? When I started mentioning out loud that I might attend the Cincinnati Tax Day Tea Party, I really wasn't sure I would go. But once Rebecca heard that she could make her own sign and march through the streets of the city loudly protesting the government, there was no way she was going to let me back out. Her eyes shone with excitement. She was constantly reminding me to purchase the cardboard for the signs and the night before the march, when we began to choose our political statements and make the signs of protest, Rebecca could not contain her excitement. Her hopes were slightly dashed when I explained to her that she would NOT be allowed to throw tea bags at City Hall (littering) and that I would NOT allow her to write some of the things she wanted on her sign ("We don't want to look like ABSOLUTE crazies, Honey.") Reluctantly, she toned down her rhetoric and choose "Don't Destroy My Future!" as her signage mantra. She figured it would elicit more sympathy for one that looked as young as she.

The next morning, as Michelle, Rebecca, and I stood for over an hour on the Fountain Square with 4000 other protesters in the cold wind, Rebecca almost lost her resolve as she shivered and leaned on me. But then as we started marching through the downtown streets of Cincy, she perked up. Spurred on by the anti-protesters yelling at us from the street corners, she made sure she was on the edge closest to them and shouted "USA, USA, USA!" louder and more forcefully. Many photographers were intrigued by this fiesty little protester with the obviously handmade sign and she was very happy to pose when asked. I'm sure she is on quite a few blogs today!

When we reached City Hall, we were positioned halfway back in the crowd and behind a tree; this just wouldn't do for Rebecca. She asked permission to get a little closer. I said, "Sure, as long as I can see your sign." In a few minutes, I realized I COULDN'T see her sign anymore. That is scary in a crowd of thousands. But after a quick glance around the tree, I see her. She is in the very front, sign pumping up and down, and has joined the loud chorus yelling at the mayor in hiding: "You work for us! You work for us!" Uh, oh....I think I may have created a monster.

The police were telling us we needed to go; they needed to reopen the streets again. As I motioned to Rebecca to come on, she started complaining, "Mom, no! The mayor hasn't come out yet! We need to make him come out!"

"Becca! Look at this angry crowd. Do you REALLY think he WILL stick his little toe out that door?! Come on child, let's go."

Reluctantly, she trudged back to the car with us and hundreds of other protesters, signs now hanging limply at their sides. We watched the coverage that night to make sure it was covered fairly; local coverage was fair and balanced ;).

We were satisfied that we had participated in something good - something to at least make government perk up a bit. We know it is just a small thing, that much more needs to be done. My family does believe in the adage: All it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing. If we sit back at home and say "Well, it is hopeless." then it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. So we are glad that we did participate in a very American pasttime - speaking against what we consider bad government. But Rebecca is still upset I wouldn't let her throw tea bags.



PS...The above photo is from the website of MSNBC. The two young protesters in the right-hand corner are Michelle and Rebecca!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30224109/