Why March/Protest/Do Anything at All

I've always been a realist more than an optimist. I like to call myself a cynical optimist. However, since February 14th, students around the country have been chipping away at the cynic in me.

The March for Our Lives took place on Saturday, March 24th. There were over 700 planned rallies across the country, including in Hartford, CT. Several thousand people gathered near the Capitol building to protest for sensible gun reform.

The rallies were inspired by the students from Parkland High School who survived a mass shooting. It was supported by numerous organizations, including Moms Demand Action and Sandy Hook Promise, non-profits started in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown. The event was hosted by the nephew of Dawn Hochsprung, the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary who gave her life to protect her students. Her daughter spoke as well, joined by several other people affected by gun violence and politicians in favor of gun reform.

It was a powerful event. But what did it accomplish? That's always the criticism of protesting and marching. What does the act of making a sign or marching down a street directly accomplish?

It's true that the most creative sign in the world is not going to stop a mass shooting from occurring. But the question is based on a false premise. No change occurs overnight, especially political and cultural change, both of which are needed to address the issue of gun violence. Rallies are a means to achieving a goal, not the goal itself.

However, the best rallies do accomplish practical goals. In Hartford alone, there were dozens of volunteers registering people to vote. Just for that reason the rallies were successful.

But practicality isn't the only reason for a rally. One of the purposes of a protest or rally is to spark the conversation and raise awareness. Naysayers will claim everyone is aware of the issue, or that we've already had the conversation. However, not everyone believes in the urgency of the movement, and seeing millions of people across the country marching might inspire them. Also, we've never really had this conversation, except in our Facebook feeds. As a country, we've managed to avoid this conversation almost entirely, that's why it's gotten to this point. That's why Black Lives Matter became so big and important, because we ignored the issue of race and police brutality for so long. We keep ignoring the gun debate. After every tragedy involving guns, we're told it's not the right time to discuss politics (when it's an act of violence by a Muslim on the other hand, certain people are ready to ban all Muslims from the country before the bodies are cold). Now, the students of Parkland, and the countless other students and parents and regular people across the country, are saying we are sick of the violence and we are going to have this conversation until real reforms are made.

These rallies inspire people to act, but they also serve as a warning to legislators. One of the themes of the day was that legislators will be voted out if they don't listen to the people's demands. That is democracy in action. That's how government should work.

But the greatest, most important purpose of a rally, is to provide a feeling of community, to simply show people that there are like-minded individuals looking to make change. So often, we read the news and we see horrible things happening and as individuals, we feel hopeless. There's simply nothing to be done, the world sucks, let's abandon all hope. It's overwhelming. It feels like maybe you're the only one who really cares about the issue and you don't understand why nothing is being done but then you don't know what you can do and then you feel like part of the problem. It's a cycle of loneliness. It creates despair. It creates numbness. So, horrible things happen, we get upset for a bit, then we shrug our shoulders. It's what happened after Sandy Hook.

A rally can bring back that all important sense of hope. If not hope, at least a sense that people care. It shows you're not alone in your misery. Sometimes that's enough. Maybe we can't change anything, but we don't have to like it dammit! We may lose. We may not get what we want. But we're not simply going to accept it.

Crowds give off energy (like houses!). At a sports arena, you feel it most in tense moments or after winning scores. At a friend's party, the vibe is happy and people are enjoying themselves. At a funeral, the opposite. The setting, the group, the reason for being there all add to the vibe. At a rally like March for Our Lives, everyone is there with a purpose. For some, the purpose is simply to hang out with friends and share pictures of #TheMovement on social media. That happens with any movement, and it's fine! Fun should be had at these events! We need to keep our sense of humor. Yet even the people just there for the fun of it truly want a more peaceful existence. We all want to be safe and to keep children safe. From my experience on Saturday, and at other marches I've attended, most people are there with a clear vision for what they want. For a clear idea of what the Parkland students want, as well as what most people at the March want, click here.

The energy at the March was incredible; it was hopeful for change, it was sad for the loss and the death that has occurred, it was nervous because we all realize the challenges ahead, it was fun because people are showing off their creativity and spreading positivity; it was synergistic because we were all participating in something bigger than ourselves.

It was hilarious at times because some people think they are making deep statements when...yeah. 
But still, I'm with you man.

It's very easy to say protesting or marching or doing anything isn't really going to have an effect. I've heard, and probably said, something close to the following many times: "Nothing's gonna change anyway, what's the point" And things may not change. That's a definite possibility. In fact, looking at the history of the United States, in the best case scenario, it will probably have a small, incremental effect that lasts for a few years. If that's the best we can get, why even bother?

Because it can always get worse. Because incremental change can and does save lives. Because fuck them, that's why.

Fuck the NRA for steadily attacking the Parkland survivors and for opposing any change whatsoever that might save lives. Oh, and for taking money from foreign countries to influence US elections. I guess it's "International" Rifle Association now?

Fuck the mainstream (not fringe--mainstream) Republican politicians and media sites that have been spreading lies about the teens because they know they are losing the argument and can not win an honest debate.

These kids have lived their whole lives with mass shootings as a reality. The Parkland kids specifically are actual survivors of a mass shooting. The same survivors who politicians and gun rights groups are quick to send thoughts and prayers to after the shooting. I guess they don't want survivors talking, just shutting up and taking the prayers. Unless those survivors agree with their politics, of course. They found the one Conservative student at Parkland who opposes gun reform and he's a conservative hero. And he has every right to voice his opinion! Just like the kids who want gun reform. It's simply a double standard: if you agree with us, we'll give you a key to the empire! If you disagree, we will try to ruin your life. That is not an exaggeration.

They do it with athletes, too. Lebron wants gun reform or less police brutality? "Shut up and dribble!" Shaq wants more cops in schools instead of gun reform? "We love you Shaq!"

Teens have every right to speak up and speak out, and people have every right to disagree with them. I don't agree with everything the Parkland students have said. At the Hartford rally, a young woman praised Nancy Pelosi and my eyes rolled so far back in my head I saw my own ass crack. But what we are seeing now is beyond disagreements. There are literal attacks. Before, the attacks and the conspiracies came from fringe groups like InfoWars, who started the Sandy Hook lies. Parents of murdered Sandy Hook children were called actors and are still getting harassed today. Now, InfoWars' biggest fan is the President of the United States. The fringe has become mainstream and are now in power. If you're conservative and you think these people don't speak for you, then speak up, because I hate to tell you, but this is your party now.

John McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain, a "sensible conservative" criticized the students' tough language. Are you fucking serious, Meg? Gun rights activists have been calling for literal war for decades. Charlton Heston said you can take his guns from his cold dead hands. Now you're mad at the rhetoric? The hypocrisy has summited Mt. Everest.

I hope the marches and rallies continue. I hope teens and children keep making their voices heard. I hope adults listen and act.

I also hope that people start applying a similar energy to other worthwhile causes, especially causes that are closely interconnected with gun reform. The strongest criticism about the Parkland students is not about the students themselves but of the media coverage. There is a noticeable difference in the media coverage of protestors after Parkland compared to protestors in Baton Rouge after police killed Alton Sterling (and yes, of course the cops avoided all charges).

People have to understand that these issues are part of the same problem. We have to address the way racism plays a part in our discussion of gun laws. The 2nd Amendment was literally created to protect white people from "scary" black hordes. So were police, as a matter of fact.

Gun reform and police demilitarization must go hand in hand. To their credit, the most visible Parkland kids have acknowledged their privilege and shed light on other students and movements around the country. Recently, black Parkland students held a rally to discuss their views on proposed solutions to school shootings, such as more cops in schools (SPOILER ALERT: They will not feel safer with more cops in schools). Hopefully, the masses who came out to march will support these students as well.

Let the kids lead.

But also remember these are just kids, and that we, as adults, also need to step up.

I Love You All...Class Dismissed. 

The Sordid History of Hartford's Yard Goats

CHOMPERS AND CHEW CHEW DEMAND YOUR ALLEGIANCE.

The Hartford Yard Goats will be--probably, maybe?--playing their first home game next month after more than a year of delays and disappointments.

Although I'm still a little bitter they didn't go with my choice for the name, I admit their logo and hats are cool.

It's too bad the name, which is an old nickname for trains, has a very racist legacy.

Turns out Thomas isn't the only train with a history of racism...

"Come on, Thuggy, you're just reaching. You call everything racist!"

I hear you, imaginary reader, but I'm a little offended that even though I constructed you in my own brain, you're calling me out for making something up. The fact is, if we're talking about American history, chances are that racism is involved.

Hartford's legacy of trains and railroads is deeply intertwined with the city's history of discriminatory segregation. The term "wrong side of the tracks" isn't just some random collection of words or simply figurative language, or a great song from 1994; its meaning comes from the very real practice of purposefully segregating communities by race with the use of railroads, highways, and other man-made lines of transportation. Look at the following graph:

That shit is not a coincidence. In fact, it's a problem that was first addressed in 1968 by the Fair Housing Act. Thankfully, like racism itself, discriminatory housing and segregation ended that year.

Ha! Yeah, no, obviously. It actually has remained almost exactly as bad, at least enough so that rules were implemented  in 2015 designed to eliminate segregation in American cities. Unfortunately, short of completely recreating our current highway and railway systems (infrastructure? who needs that?!) not much will improve any time soon.

So Hartford's ode to it's trains and train yards is actually an ode to one of the worst contributors to institutional racism and segregation in America. Good job Hartford! Maybe karma was the real cause for all the delays in the construction of the park (and the reason your mascot Chompers was dive-tackled in front of the Science Center last year) and not just ineptitude and corruption.

Whatever the case, it's more apparent than ever that they should've gone with Hartford Hookers like I suggested. Now that's a history we can be proud of.

I Love You All...Class Dismissed. 

Meals With A View

the following is my first published work ever. it appeared in Decades, a little magazine put out by Hoffman Auto. it was published by the same group that published Hartford magazine. i interned at Hartford magazine as an assistant editor for a few months and i wrote several freelance articles. i enjoyed this one because i got to take long drives throughout the state as "research". the financial relationship between myself and the company was never very good, but i digress. for this article, they used a few random pictures, but the following writing is as it appeared in the autumn 2006 issue of Decades.
and yes, i realize i am posting this in spring. shut up.

Meals With a View

Connecticut’s winding country roads provide optimal views of fall’s

most vibrant foliage, with quaint eateries providing stops along the way.

by Geoff Elterich

As a child, it was simply magic that changed green leaves to wonderful shades of red, yellow, brown and orange. Of course, we learned a long time ago that as the temperature gets colder, chlorophyll breaks down, revealing the vibrant inner colors of the leaves. If you need to be reminded of the beauty attached to this simple, natural occurrence, there are plenty of places you can visit in Connecticut that are sure to illustrate how magical nature can be. 

Connecticut’s scenic delights range from hilltop panoramas to colonial villages, from deep forests to busy cities. As the capital city, Hartford boasts many historical sites and structures. Amidst the city’s metropolitan landscape, beautiful parks abound, such as Bushnell Park and Elizabeth Park. Perfect for walking or picnicking, these parks allow folks an opportunity to enjoy the foliage and unwind from the everyday hustle of the city. For a more rural approach to foliage exploration, a drive down route 169 presents travelers with a perfect illustration of Connecticut’s scenic marvels. It is a quaint drive through the Pomfret and Woodstock area with everything a traveler might expect to find on a drive through small town New England. Stonewalls and low-hanging trees line the one-lane road. Gorgeous rustic houses and barns are interspersed along the winding route and travelers will find the most charming local shops and businesses. Martha’s Herbary in Pomfret is a “unique gift shop” that sells plants and herbs and offers cooking classes. At the New England Center for Contemporary Art in Brooklyn, 20th century art blooms along with the vivid colors of the fall foliage. For real adventurers, the Woodstock Airport offers $20 airplane rides for an aerial view of the countryside. 

If you’d rather stay grounded this autumn, Lapsley Farms is a great stop for the hungry traveler. There, you can pick your own apples or just eat some fresh ones. There are plenty of fruit stands all along Route 169, with a wide selection of the best fresh fruits. Those looking for a full meal will have no problem finding great spots to satisfy any appetite. The Vanilla Bean Café in Pomfret is a wonderful little diner with a great selection of sandwiches and soup. On a foliage watching expedition, it should be mandatory to get the New England clam chowder—it’s delicious and a perfect compliment to the cozy, traditional New England setting of the café. The building is split into two sections: one room for lunch, and the other for dinner, which is served on weekends. The dinner specials range from sea scallops to beef ribs and to complement the meal, one can choose from a wide variety of wine and beer. A glass display case in the front room exhibits all of the cafe’s delicious desserts, making it almost impossible to pass up on the peanut butter chocolate chip brownies, or any number of treats. 

Another fantastic dining experience for the foliage explorer is The Golden Lamb Buttery in Brooklyn, not far off of Route 169. On a hill overlooking the gorgeous countryside, The Golden Lamb appears as a large, classic red barn. Sheep and cows can be seen grazing on the premises. In the fall—year-round, really—beautiful sights abound, with open, rolling fields surrounded by the dense woods. Inside, the building feels like a rustic museum. It is a refurbished barn, with a high ceiling, wooden floors and thick wood beams from the floor to the ceiling. The front parlor is adorned with pictures of animals and the Connecticut countryside. Farm tools are decorated and on display, and a history of The Golden Lamb, as told through newspaper and magazine articles, hang on the wall. The kitchen is open from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays, serving delicious home-cooked meals. The dining room is located in the back of the building, through an unmarked door, as if a meeting place for a secret society lies beyond. In fact, the whole place gives off the feeling that one has stumbled onto a secret treasure, tucked deep into the Connecticut woods, there for only the true-of-heart explorers to find. 

There is also a back porch for dining, or for simply taking in the breathtaking view. The porch overlooks a small lake, surrounded on all sides by lush foliage. If there is any one scene that best represents Connecticut’s fall foliage, this is it. Looking down from on top of the hill, one will see the luxurious forest give off a burnished glow. There is a virtual explosion of cherry reds, lime greens, shades of auburn, and bright yellows in the canopy of leaves above the sparkling waters of the lake. The scene would be a perfect postcard for autumn in Connecticut. 

If Route 169 is not exactly your neck of the woods, there are plenty of other routes to take for a leaf peeping expedition. In fact, all you have to do to find beautiful Connecticut foliage is look out the window. Better yet, go for a walk. Smell the fragrant scents of the fading summer and feel the cool crisp air of the impending winter. One occasionally forgets the beauty that lies at our fingertips. Being continually surrounded by it, it can become overlooked, simply serving as the background. Sometimes you have to get in your car, or get on your bike, or strap on your boots and take a hike, with the expressed purpose of viewing the scenery, to remind you how stunning Connecticut’s background can be. 

For residents, the knowledge of the beauty of fall in Connecticut is almost innate. Every resident has his or her own favorite spot to take in the beauty. Connecticut’s reputation for autumn splendor has even expanded beyond state borders. National Geographic Traveler and the Rand McNally Atlas rank the Litchfield Hills among the country’s most scenic driving destinations. Like so many Connecticut towns, Litchfield combines history and contemporary flair. Amidst the rolling Litchfield Hills, you will find historic structures—18th century mansions are kept as homes—as well as upscale boutiques and restaurants. A visit to town in autumn puts foliage aficionados in the heart of a region noted for its scenic driving, hiking, biking and antiquing. 

A sign on the wall at the Vanilla Bean Café states, “Simplify.” It’s a perfect message in this day and age, when our lives seem to be getting more and more complex. It is more important now than ever to take time to appreciate simple pleasures and the beauty of nature. A simple drive reveals nature’s splendor all around us. There is so much opportunity to view Connecticut’s simple, magnificent beauty, you just need to keep your eyes open. On your way to work, remember to look around and take in the beauty. The Merritt Parkway is the ideal route for many New York and Connecticut commuters. It is one of the oldest and most beautifully designed highways in the country. With abundant roadside forests and vegetation, it boasts some of the most impressive fall foliage settings. Route 2 is another place to keep one eye on the road and the other on the surroundings. Stretching from Hartford to the Mohegan and Pequot Indian reservations, the route is one of the most pleasant drives in the state during the fall. 

To enjoy the natural beauty of Connecticut in autumn, you don’t need a defined destination. Driving through the state, one truly discovers that the journey is more fulfilling than the destination. There are plenty of routes to take and places to visit, but if you’re simply looking for beautiful sights, get lost. Get in your car or put on your boots and just go. It is in paths untrodden that one finds the true splendor of nature. In Connecticut, nature’s beauty is never far away.

I Love You All...Class Dismissed