Category: Proximal Man>>>Peace, Justice and Talking About It

I stopped to talk to some ladies who were standing on a street corner holding up signs. I asked, "What cause are you supporting."

One of them said, "We stand here for peace and justice."

I was a little confused. (I really was.) After thinking about it for a minute, I said, "So you are in opposition to those people who prefer war and injustice?"

"Well," says she, "It's not that simple. Everyone *says* they are for peace and justice."

Says I, "Yeah, that's what I was just thinking. So I guess you're standing out here holding up signs to show your support for everybody?"

"No, as I say, it's not that simple."

I did not want to be bothersome, or seem like I was making trouble. Honestly, I really did want to find out what they were all about. So far, all I had discovered was that the seeming message of their effort was something that was not simple. The spokeperson evidently saw my confusion and was still willing to assist me. She says, "We've got no business sending our young people to die in Iraq."

"Okay," I say, feeling like I'm getting it. "So you are standing here in support of bringing back our troops from Iraq."

"Of course."

"Because if we brought back our troops in Iraq, then there would be peace."

"Well..."

"Wait a minute; I know. It's not that simple, right?"

"Do you really want to talk about these important matters, or are you just wanting to make trouble?"

I was aghast; I really was. I thought, on the one hand, that I was trying very diligently to "talk about these important matters," and I absolutely did not understand how I was "making trouble."

"Have I done something wrong?" says I.

She said, "Would you like to stand with us?"

"Sure! If I won't be making trouble by trying to find out what you are standing for."

At that, she turned back around toward the street and held up her sign higher.

And I'm left thinking that, if I had said anymore to her, or if I say any more to you about it, I will somehow be demonstrating what a rotten person I am. So...

Dialogue over, I guess.


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