NOT TAKING IT TO THE STREETS.

• Author: Ervin, Mike
• Position: SMART ASS CRIPPLE

I miss street protesting. It's good for my soul. It's been one of my keys for maintaining good mental health. But I've found that street protesting is a bit like toilet paper: You don't realize how vital it is until it's not around anymore.

I'm used to hitting the streets at least a few times a year with my comrades from the disability rights group ADAPT. I've been doing it for about thirty years. There's nothing more invigorating and life-affirming than getting together with a bunch of fellow malcontents and doing something raucous--like blocking an intersection or taking over the office of some deserving soul like Mitch McConnell. It's especially rewarding when we get arrested as a result.

I've been arrested about two dozen times for engaging in acts of civil disobedience. Many of my ADAPT comrades have been arrested even more than I have. This kind of street protesting sure makes me feel like I have some say in what's going on. (If you've never tried it, I highly recommend it. You don't know what you're missing.)

But it's been more than two years since I've taken part in an ADAPT action. They've been placed on hold, like so many other joyous get-togethers, because of this damn pandemic.

About the only thing that can stop ADAPTers from protesting is the fear of dying if we do so. The street protesting has stopped, but the stuff that makes me want to get out there and protest keeps coming. It never stops. It's like I have a terrible itch that I can't scratch.

I'm jonesing for that wonderful buzz that I can derive only from helping strike a blow for justice. So I'm feeling deeply restless, stuck in the mud. Maybe I'm just too old fashioned. Maybe when I feel the protest itch, I need to get past the knee-jerk assumption that all I can do about it is grab a sign and take to the streets. I need to remind myself that there are plenty of other important ways to participate more from the sidelines. Other people do it all the time.

I could, for instance, give money. That's very important. Every movement needs money. Even if your goal is to obliterate every glimmer of capitalism throughout the universe, you still need money to make it happen.

And besides, I've been personally urged to become a philanthropist by Barbra Streisand herself! I received an email from her awhile back with the subject line, "I'm coming to you for help, Mike." The email said it was "critical" that I join her in helping a certain environmental action group reach its $65,000...