Why do you take a seven-year-old to a political rally? One reason is that she is too young to stay at home alone. Another reason is that she loves art projects, so she helps make your posters. Of course, the prospect excites her. She marches around the house, waving her sign and chanting, “Fight for women! Have hope!”
Still another reason to take a seven-year-old to the rally is that the children are our future. A tariff is another word for tax, and the children will ultimately pay, just like they will for the massive tax cuts for the super wealthy that drive our national debt to astronomical numbers. Meanwhile, 40% of all children nationwide are covered by Medicaid, and one of every four kids in your county is food insecure, meaning they will suffer even more from cuts to SNAP and WIC programs. Their learning will suffer as a result of less funding for their schools and teachers. Their lives are more at risk because of less regulation of pollution in the land, skies, rivers and seas.
Taking a child to a rally or protest may be the best way to remember who we fight for. Organizers have dubbed this brand of rallies “hands off” to protest the federal government’s overreach. We must be hands-on when it comes to children’s care: do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).
An ancient rabbi, who was no stranger to a protest and a parade in the state capital (Luke 19:28–40), commanded that everyone emulate a child’s faith. Jesus could be a bit cryptic. Maybe he was referring to a child’s capacity to trust or their ability to exist in the moment or that a group of them will gallop in circles in front of a legislative building like a herd of wild ponies. Maybe Jesus meant that we are to serve with our energy, intelligence, imagination and love to make our world better for all children. Perhaps he meant to kindle a belief in our cynical hearts that we are stronger together and doing the right thing matters in ways beyond our kith and kin and even beyond our wildest ken.
Perhaps [Jesus] meant to kindle a belief in our cynical hearts that we are stronger together and doing the right thing matters in ways beyond our kith and kin and even beyond our wildest ken.
Yet another reason to take a seven-year-old to a political rally is that she will insist on bringing her stuffed tiger, and she will demand that you carry said tiger on your head. You will comply, and dozens upon dozens of strangers will smile at your peculiar hat. You will realize that, while the issues are serious as hell, joy offers a glimpse of heaven.
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