Let's all be joyous warriors

From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News - After 9/11, I wrote something to the effect of: "Terrorists want to frighten you to the point where you no longer go about your normal day. If you allow them to do that, they win."

Donald Trump operates with the same game plan. If you're unsure about this, talk to your friends. You'll notice if it hasn't happened to you yet that over the past few weeks, many of us have felt exhausted and even frightened to the point where some don't feel like fighting back anymore, believing it's no use.

But if you allow him to do that just like with the terrorists he wins.

I'm an old activist. I've been fighting oppression for 55 years and have been arrested about a dozen times. Since 1969, when I became an activist, I've witnessed a sea change. We changed the world, and we did it by being out, loud and proud.

We knew the FBI was bugging us and they were. We faced death threats from the KKK, even through their Thunderbolt magazine. We staged sit-ins, organized pickets, handcuffed ourselves to buildings, and disrupted the status quo. We were vocal, daring those in power to silence us. We were visible.

And one more thing we were creative. Some of those disruptions even became fun.

Let me give you an example:

There was a district attorney who refused to protect LGBTQ+ people from blackmail. We needed to expose this, so we came up with a plan to get the media's attention. We decided that the district attorney would host a party in his office for the LGBTQ+ community of course, without his knowledge.

The next morning, he was baffled when a large coffee machine and boxes of donuts were delivered to his office. Meanwhile, we were out on the streets handing out invitations to this "party," promoting free coffee and donuts in his name to celebrate his "support" for the LGBTQ community.

That simple, creative act helped spark change.

The point is simple: Speak out. Speak loudly.

We have the right to protest just as we did non-violently. And don't forget to be creative. You'll find joy in the fight, and there's nothing more powerful than a joyous warrior.

Mark Segal

Mark Segal is an American journalist. He is the founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News and has won numerous journalism awards for his column "Mark My Words," including best column by The National Newspaper Association, Suburban Newspaper Association and The Society of Professional Journalists.

About the Author

Mark Segal Mark Segal is an American journalist. He is the founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News and has won numerous journalism awards for his column "Mark My Words," including best column by The National Newspaper Association, Suburban Newspaper Association and The Society of Professional Journalists.