“I thought it would be a good idea to flip the script since it will be Valentine’s Day,” said McCormick, who is a member of a local group associated with Invisible Illinois. “Let’s have an ‘I Love America’ rally and invite anyone who wants to say how much they love this country to walk with us.”
Chances are you have seen the signs held high by protesters at local courthouses, highway bridges, and elsewhere. Some protests are organized by the local Invisible of Illinois group. Local political parties plan others. What they all have in common is that they include signs that say, to the effect, “I’m right, and if you disagree, then you are wrong.”
My first thought about McCormick’s idea is that it will never work. We’re too divided. We can’t even spend 15 minutes watching the same Super Bowl halftime show due to politics. I’ve heard of family members who have stopped talking to each other over who they support.
During my years as a journalist, I’ve covered anti-war and other protests. I often wondered if they did any good. I remember walking by the Daley Center in Chicago during my lunch hour. There was always someone with a group of sign carriers and a megaphone. Often, I would find up to three groups protesting for different causes.
I admit, I have a faint glow of hope sometimes that refuses to be overwhelmed with cynicism. Then I hear how McCormick went to her group and sold them on an idea that has a lot of potential to fail. Her optimism has fueled the feeling that we can get together and agree that we all love our country.
“I want people to bring a sign that says what they love about our country,” McCormick said. “Maybe have one that says, ‘I Love American Farmers’ or ‘I Love Due Process.’”
One goal is to get people who would not normally participate in a traditional protest to show up and mingle, according to McCormick. Maybe get to know the people you have been driving by during the Saturday protests.
I think historian Jon Meacham said it best in his book, Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels. In it, he noted that even when Americans intellectually know we are not the best at everything, emotionally we still feel as if we are.
Just maybe this Saturday, our better angels will appear and prove my cynical side wrong. I hope so. It would be cool if, for just 90 minutes, people could all agree on something. Even if the “I Love America” rally doesn’t work, I hope McCormick and more people like her keep looking for ways to unite us rather than divide.
The “I Love America” rally will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, at the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling.
And Then Some…
When buying flowers for Valentine’s Day, guys often struggle with what they should get. I have guy friends who say flowers from the local grocery store are fine, while my gal friends say, no way. Ultimately, the goal is to make the person happy and maybe even get a few smooches. That’s when I remember what a small child once told me.
“Do you know what flower gets you the most kisses?”
Tulips.
Wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day.
One Response
Thanks for the piece, Greg. There are a few corrections/points id like to make. Firstly, I am a representative of the grassroots community group, Indivisible Sauk Valley. Secondly, this is all a group effort as there are no leaders in ISV. I hope to see all of you patriots out there on Saturday