I went to the Black Lives Matter rally last Saturday evening in Greeley Park. I haven’t been to any type of protest or political rally since the late 1960s. I’ve often wondered what might eventually impassion me enough to want to go to something like that again. Rubbing shoulders (in a socially distant way, of course) with lots of noisy, excitable young people does not appeal to me anymore.

Before you peg me as an ole’ fogey, you should know that I attend candidate house parties, volunteer on election days, put campaign signage in my yard, donate money to causes and candidates. I commute to work, travel, read, stay current on what’s going on culturally, politically and socially. I may not be ‘cool’, but I’m not done, yet. It’s just that I have not been compelled to join others to make my presence known or voice heard in a public way for a long time. Until now.

So, imagine my surprise and pleasure when BLM presented a very interesting program of speakers, songs and messages that were not over the top or ‘in your face’. I was so impressed by the young speakers with their poise and their plea for all of us to listen and understand the Black experience and to please give them the help they need NOW. The crowd was respectful, attentive and enthusiastic.

But what all the speakers emphasized was that attending a rally, or a protest is not what gets it done.

But what does get it done? Reflecting back to the Vietnam protests, I know that it is the unrelenting collective will of the people … all of the people … to change the things that need changing: everything from local policies to national politics, open conversations to educational curricula, listening to the voices to voting in each and every election.

I left the rally inspired. I left the rally energized. I am still thinking about everything I heard. I am asking myself what I will do now. The same feeling that I had protesting the Vietnam War is back! This ole’ fogey is going to figure out how to do her part. I am starting with listening and listening hard. Please join me in the listening; there’s a lot we need to learn. And then let’s be the change, again!