Should Kids Protest or Not?
As most of you are aware of what is going on over in East for Deafies, click here, to protest against AG Bell. Anyway, one thing I must say that was unbelievable occurred to a little girl, Brianna DiGiovanni, the daughter of Barb, one of vloggers was passing out flyers, to attendees for AG Bell. Click here in case you didn’t hear the story. The manager of Marriott Hotel, her name is Jenny where the AG Bell conference is held went toward to her and grab flyers away from Brianna. Barb had no idea that Jenny was physically injured her daughter Brianna by scratching her hand while grabbing flyers until later.
This was totally uncalled for what Manager Jenny did! However, my biggest question is why should we include kids in protesting? Is it safe place for kids to get involved dealing with some crazy people out there that might hurt kids, or police would come and take kids to the police station to be questioned.
I find this blog interesting along with comments about a guy who shared his opinion, click here, regarding if kids should protest or not.
Most of all, I am just grateful that Brianna is OK.
We are with you.
-SG
Buy me a cup of coffee
July 28th, 2007 at 10:52 am
So blaming the victim is okay now!? Come on! To even think that question for a fraction of a second is playing right into oppressors’ hands! Would you concur with this statement: The gay guy is beaten up just because his behavior provoked the attackers into righteous ways when the gay man should had hidden his gayness and walked away without anyone knowing he is a gay? I think you do not. Therefore, the fact that Brianna protested simply meant she was proud of being a Deaf person and the fact that the manager was crazy was her OWN fault, not Brianna’s!
July 28th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Whoa.. blaming the victim?
This is the question to ask whether if a kid should involve or not because of crazy people out there that can easily harm innocent kids.
-SG
July 28th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Nobody is blaming the kids. I definitely support protesting. It is just when people put these innocent children in harms way that make me question their motives.
There are crazy people out there like Jenny that actually harmed Brianna, it could have been worse than just a scratch.
All I care is the safety of these children.
-SG
July 28th, 2007 at 11:11 am
IMPLICATION TIME!: Are you telling that you are questioning Barb Digi’s motivation???
There is an strong analogy. If a city is under terrorist threat but time is uncertain, should parents avoid children from going into there for various reasons necessary or should they keep children away cowering in fear that they would be found culpable for putting their children in harm’s way when finally a terrorist attack does come? BO! The parents and their children have the right to be anywhere they want to be! The terrorists would be CULPABLE!
The same idea applies here. If the threat still is there, then FOCUS all your attention on that specific threat because THAT is not right!
Women had been facing this type of reasoning for centuries and centuries and they are right in that it is wrong, period! No excuses! However, if you are in fact questioning Barb’s motives, then go ahead and question!
July 28th, 2007 at 11:19 am
I respect the kids who wants to support the DBC for the sake of Deaf children! I understand that they wanted to be involve to get more Bilingual education around the global world. I am not blaming the kids who want to support ASL/Bilingual. No harm feelings!
July 28th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Oscar, you are totally missing the point. no one is being attacked, and this has nothing to do with gay men or terrorists. Adults are completely capable of protesting their own causes. But having children do the work for you, and putting them in a potential dangerous situation is just wrong.
Having a child along with adults in a peaceful protest is just fine, but to have a child go off on their own, unsupervised, is a recipe for disaster. Children get kidnapped all the time, which is scary in of itself.
July 28th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Oscar,
I’m NOT pointing my finger at her. I’m asking for people’s motivation whether if they should include kids or not.
I respect Barb DiGi greatly. I am questioning to all the people if we should include kids or not in protests.
For example, Brianna got injured that is what I am worried about.
-SG
July 28th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Oscar,
You are MAKING no sense! How can you compare a gay man and little kids!
I agree with seekgeo and I understand why he asked is should we include kids or not and wondering what people motivate is to include kids.
Sometime it can be danger for kids. I can’t believe you attack seekgeo, he was wondering if we should or not include kids.
Wake up!
July 28th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Geo, the answer is still yes. If the violence happens again, then we will have to focus on the abuser, not Barb or any other protesters because they are all peaceful and there to educate. So yes, the answer is yes. I am not pointing a finger at you personally but the risk that the perception that it is not right for parents to take children to protests if the children want to. That perception can be very dangerous and divisive because it is not focusing on right direction. That is all I meant.
JP and BE, since you failed to read my comments with the level of English necessary, I will not respond, sorry.
July 28th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Good Topic!
I would say to start with ok to include kids if it is peaceful protest but if things get a little out of control or when a kid get injured.
Then best thing is to take kids out of there before anything get worse.
July 28th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
SG, I understand what you’re trying to say. There are parents who want to teach their children about the political process and this is nothing new. A non-violent march or handling out flyers, big deal. Gally protest had infants and children, no problems I know of. *Handling out flyers is a non-violent activity* and whatever unfortunate incidents surface, they are very isolated. Barb did take her kid safely to an agreeable site (the sidewalk). Hotel manager, of all people, went WAY over the line, contradicted own rules, and made it violent. She should be arrested and fired. Blame dumb & biased Americans like her, not the parents. BTW, what about pets? They should stay home? ;)
July 28th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
tough question to answer…
sometimes protesters bring kids… these kids could become activitists later in their lives.
generally,it would be ok for them in peaceful protests as long as they go with parents. if violent protests are expected, kids are best left at home.
it was supposed to be a peaceful protest at the agbad conference site yesterday. the hotel manager decided to attacked them. no cops in right mind would try to do that since there was no violence involved. i would not surprise if the manager got fired by the corporation. she acted unprofessional. by the way she somewhat looked like Jane Fernades. scary…
July 28th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I am cool with the idea of children attending the protests as long as the protests are safe. If the previous protests did involve some firearms and injuries, I would think twice about sending the children to the protests. But this protest is the first one of DBC and was peaceful… like drmzz said, Jenny did step out of line. I know one other parent taking her daughter to the state Washington to join her aunt’s protest outside of the state capitol to ensure that the bill granting more accessiblity to disabled people was passed and it was a positive experience… the protesters wore different colored banner so that the certain group would not mind being arrested while others agreed to step aside if and when things got tough…it never happened, but there were rules to follow and it was a good experience for my friend’s daughter.
July 28th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
I think it was okay in this case(bringing children). I don’t think anybody expected it to be violent.
If it was a protest where violence was highly likely(anti-war, anti-gay etc), I would agree it probably was not wise to bring children. But I think it’s a mistake to assume all protests are exactly the same, that all of them pose some kind of danger to children.
Why can’t children attend peaceful protests?
July 28th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Hi Geo,
In the past, there were many protests in Canada and there were so many children being involved in demonstrating events (no age limits). There have been so many positive experiences for Deaf children and even for Deaf seniors.
Of course safety always comes first for everyone. Parents make their own judgement to have their children involved or not.
The demonstrators did a wonderful job for making clear and loud message to AGBAD and others. The hotel manager needs indepth training to improve her behaviour (She obviously needs anger management and diversity trainings.) I hope the hotel head office recognizes that.
So I strongly encourage all Deaf children to get involved in all safe demonstrations. Parents can take their children out if any physical violence gets out of control. I am glad that Barb and others made reports to the police about the manager’s misbehaviour. It is too bad that she looks bad and even more immature than children.
Deafchip
July 28th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Thanks Karen. What Geta said, it’s pretty right on and that should answer your question, SG.
July 28th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Speechless! I could not believe what I see .. It is their decision to be involved for protests.
I think Anyone to written a formal to the manager to be serious with about their right. But the manager need to serious, Kind of assulted or not accidently as on her puropsed to attacked on Brianna.
Glad they did straight out with the manager. It could not beleiveable the witness.. Thank god you did bring video to be witness. Sound likely Assulted as scratch on the child. It is banned of assulted at all..Grabbed it is kind of confusion as it is not assulted??
Margaret
July 28th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I personally don’t think it is a good idea to get the child/children involve with protests. It is too much stress and trauma for the kids if soemthing happens like Bara’s daughter.
July 28th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
I personally grew up attending protests for a variety of social justice issues, for example: the ADA, anti war, anti nuclear weapons, human rights issues, and so on. My parents included me in their cause for social justice at an early age and it instilled me in the value of working with others collaboratively, the value of solidarity. i was never harmed. i think in this situation, what is important is for the parent to talk with kids before hand about what to do if they don’t feel safe, always stay near the parent, and leave as soon as things start to feel unsafe. AS long as a parent does these things, i think its fine.. and in fact,a valuable lesson for the children in the importance of expressing your stand.
July 28th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Seek Geo,
My guess was that Barb’s children wanted to go with her and see what the protest would look like. I’m sure Barb knows what her children want as I can see that she is a good mother.
I guess it depends on the age and personality of the child and if they can tolerate the boredom that may come during the protest.
One thing that if a parent gets arrested, what will the child do? This is a situation that the parents need to make sure there is a back-up for their children.
Perhaps other supporters will take care of the child or whatever. If not, then the police would call Child Protective Services to come and take care of the child, I don’t know, I am not sure.
July 28th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
HEY HOWDY GEO-SEEK and EVERYONE ON EARTH,
Look at the HISTORY (for everyone in general), the protest is very common and very benefitical in many ways.
Now, the history will tell you that the kids will be ALWAYS be “factored” if ever the kids are involving the process of THOUGHT of what the implications would be in forseeable future. That’s always give the impact into the history.
See the black movement, the deaf movement (in old days), the Asian movement, the special handicapped status, the school effects, the business culture, and many many others. When the kids are involving in any kind of protest, the people will look at the kids MUCH EASIER and (Later On in the Time process) the “pounding or knocking on” on the people’s minds as they will bring up the discussions blah blah — they will think (in quick second of pop-up in mind) about the kids as into the factor important part of protest.
YES YES it is very important for the kids to be involving somehow. I acknowledge that maybe in few ways, the kids might feel negative impacts, but in long run, the kids (when grown up) they will remember about that — whether agree or not agree.
That’s help the part having the kids as importance for this protest.
WAY TO GO, THE BRAVE MOTHERS (OR FATHERS OR BOTH) TO BRING THE KIDS AS POSSIBLE. If feel best.
July 28th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
I have not heard both sides of the story.
Now, you ask me if a child too young to protest? I will say yes, especially if environment is going to be hostile and it seems to repeat itself for deaf culture lately. Doing it on private property will created a hostile environment automatically. That is a no brainier there.
Passing flyers “soliciting” like they were doing is against the lot of hotel rules. You can do it on public property which it is safer to do in my opinion, but to do it on private property and inside a building or in a lobby (or whatever they were0. That got me thinking.
What I am seeing is some deaf people pulling the race card when it come to dealing with hearing people during protecting because of lack of communication. It isnt always the hearing people fault.
My .02.
July 28th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Children have been involved in peaceful protests and can become catalysts as well as symbols of their parents’ peaceful intentions.
It would be up to the parents, and the protest organizers to take steps to insure the children are safe and to have contingency plans in place in case there is any question of risk to them.
Merely leafletting a professional convention should be expected to be low-risk, about as safe as selling Girl Scout cookies in a shopping mall. With safeguards in place!
The hotel manager should be hauled into court and made to testify why she acted as she did, and to explain what led up to her behavior. We may hear some interesting things about the AGBAD organizers.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Geo. I totally agree with ya. It is a parent’s job to keep their child safe. Barb put her daughter in a potentially dangerous situation. This is not a situation for an 8 yr old. She wasn’t injured — if you watch the video Barb says there wasn’t even a mark on her hand — and that’s a good thing. The hotel person shouldn’t have behaved the way she did, but if Barb hadn’t brought her, nothing at all would have happened. Shoving yourselves in AGBell people’s faces just puts them on the defensive. This isn’t the way you change opinions, as you saw.
Just the opinion of someone who’s been there.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
My two cents:
Yes and No. It all depends and parents are usually the best person to decide based on how well they know their child, the issue at hand, and violence associated with it.
DBC is ok for a child.
Look at other protest in past history involving hearing society: Abortion, War, etc. Were there kids there? sure.
If it was a protest with rumors of Riots or situations where riots might occur, then, no.
DBC was not about that, DBC was about peaceful protest as it was stated often on several sites.
The bottom line here is that it is a first (that I know of) that a child had been approached at a gathering like that! Jenny had sunk to the lowest of the low.
July 28th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Honey, you know I like you, Geo! I enjoy your blog.
But how long should you shelter kids from the reality of the world? Until they are 18? Or 21? Or 35?
I think what Barb did was great as a mother. She was exposing her children to the reality on a daily basis. Life is never fair.
I think it was a good jolt for her daughter to encounter something like that. After all, it is not like Barb left her alone on her own. She was there with Brianna.
During the Gallaudet Protests, I interviewed one high school teenager who stayed at Tent City with his father and uncle for weeks!
That kid went back home with a wealth of experience and information. And he was not alone. Many parents brought their kids to understand — after all, hands on experiences teach much better than in classrooms.
So relax your soles, Geo.
R-
July 28th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
See, you can’t predict if a protest will turn violent or not. That’s the nature of protests. You never know what will happen. Kent State was supposed to be peaceful too, and people ended up getting killed. Any time you put a child in a place like this, there is a risk. Barb should take some of the blame. And lets not over exaggerate. The kid was not injured. Probably the paper scratched her when the woman grabbed them out of her hands. There wasn’t a mark on her. Even Barb admits this.
Also, good explanation comparing playing deaf card to race card. I’m tired of deaf people saying — you only treated me bad because I am deaf. Really now, do you want to see a protest when you go on vacation to a hotel? I don’t. I don’t care how good the cause. If I pay good money to stay at a hotel, I don’t want people coming up in my face to give me a flyer. There are better ways to work with agbell people. This just makes them mad. And when someone is mad they don’t care whether you have a good argument or not. They just want to avoid you.
July 28th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Oh well, It depends on the situation for kids should or should not be involved in this protest. For Barb’s daughter is too young, but she is deaf that was part of it for AG Bell, that is okay. If she is enough old as teenager, it will give her a great opporunity to learn her experience through a protest.
For that managerment (Jenny), wow, it is hard to believe how she behave to grab the paper from a little innocent girl, that was not proper manner in her professional! What kind of manager is she! She should be mature professionally when she tell anyone or little girl to give her the paper or not allow that area like that in her polite way. I think she is not quality for her management position. wow. I am glad that girl is okay. Hope things goes okay.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
If I have a young child, I would not bring him or her to the dangerous protest such as an anti abortion issue and so on.
I don’t see anything wrong with Brianna going to the peaceful educational protest with her wonderful Mom. Unfortunately, Jenny, the Manager of Oz was out of control and started the big mess. It is unacceptable. This needs to be taken seriously. I am impressed with the well behaved protesters.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Hey everyone!
I had to step away for a while today. I read all comments, it was quite interesting. There is one thing that some people failed to realize that I posted this one called “Should Kids Protests or Not?” with a question mark at the end.
Which means this is a question. I did not state my opinion, I was just wondering what you all think. I simply gave out a question for all of us to discuss whether or not for us to include kids.
I’m so tired already and it’s only 9:45pm right now.
-SG
July 28th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Geo,
Yes, I agree it started out the wrong way; however it smoothed out to the end. Dont take it too personal. Those kind of thing come along with writing. Misunderstood. Also, dont change your writing style just because one person misunderstood you.
Keep it up! You ask a very profound question.
July 29th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Yup, I am with Nate. I was surprised at the way one person flew off of the handle at you, twisting your words around, insulting your English. That is not like him.
Keep up your v/blogging…
July 29th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Because children are taught to obey their parents (hopefully!) and because it is natural for them to want to please their parents, they will hold up a sign or hand out pamphlets if you ask them to. They will take on the causes you believe in and will believe in them, too. But children don’t have enough unbiased information or life experience to understand adult issues fully. Therefore, asking them to protest with you is exploitation.
You can teach them your values. You can lead by example. They will remember that you were an activist and that will greatly influence them. Talk to them about it. But leave the kids at home when you go to battle.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Interesting question that you asked…
Well, it’s totally up to the parents to decide to whether let their child/children protest with them but it’s their utmost responsibility to ensure their safety.
In Barb Digi’s situation, it’s sad and unfortnate about her daughter and the hotel manager. I symphatize with her even if I side with Agbell.
July 29th, 2007 at 11:41 am
There is an alternative to protesting. Check what I wrote on Berke Outspoken.
July 29th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Jarom: Speak like a true bitter little boy.
R-
July 29th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Hi Seek Geo
See my response…
http://jehanne.wordpress.com/2007/07/29/response-to-should-kids-protest-or-not/
July 29th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
[...] Seek Geo’s blog about kids [...]
July 29th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
LOL SG, I did hint “Yes” in my writings. Next time state, YES or NO answers only plez. Kinda boring if so, eh? You’re just too tired to read and respond maybe. Cheers.
July 29th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Well,Well when I am at the hotel with nice location and expensive..I DO NOT WANT SEE ANY PAPER FLYER AND PROTEST BESIDE BY HOTEL WHERE I AM STAYING.I DON’T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING WITH PROTEST ON SIDEWALK OR ANYTHING. I PAY FOR THE HOTEL WITH MY PLEASURE ON MY TIME.
I DO ADMIT THAT I AGREE 100PERCENT WITH MICHELE’S STATEMENT.IT MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.YOU NEED GO BACK AND READ AND REREAD COMMENT FROM MICHELE’S PERIOD.
July 30th, 2007 at 10:44 am
I’m wondering… were children involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s?
July 30th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Found this website on the Wikipedia page about the topic “protest.”
http://users.resist.ca/~kirstena/pageteeensandprotests.html
It’s about having teenagers and children in protests.
July 30th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Whoa Oscar… SIMMER DOWN ODIE!!!! Ya going way off base!
SeekGeo asked a simple question if Kids should protest or not? I understand him as his main concern is for the kids safety. Despite those people out there can harm the kids. We gotta protect our children from harm. It was interesting of differrent perspective from people’s opinion. It really depends on what we’re protesting against. There are different levels n views of this. The questions, do kids really understand why are they protesting? Why are they against it or??
July 31st, 2007 at 6:49 am
Hey everyone,
I’m sure some of you are wondering what is my thoughts. It depends on situation like most of people said.
Joe asked a very good question, not only it’s about for safety concerns, the other question is.. does some kids understand what is going on and what they are protesting about or to against for?
-SG
August 13th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
It’s very interesting and hot debate onto whenever the kids should protest or not. I, personally, rather allow children to participate protests as long they feel compelled to.
I, now 15, is still considered a child but yet everybody denies me the opportunity to make a mark on the future. I have my own opinions and thoughts but adults doesn’t consider it. So, most of the time, I still feel the need to prove myself to them by speaking out and making them to remember that the children have their own feelings and thoughts. I do not need anybody to give me the thoughts on the issues of protest. I still am active and participating a current protest in Canada on Deaf Act.
I started protesting at age of 9 when I felt compelled to take a part of the protest and asked my parents to take me along, so did they. The protest was on the school strike, which lasted for two months. I lost two months worth of my grade fifth education. The adults protest about the length of the strike but yet there were no kids to speak out how they really feel and thinks. So, I brought my opinions and thoughts to the protest. I don’t want my opinions unheard while there were not many kids about my age. As if, I was representing them and the adults doesn’t know how the issues affect kids too. They do not realize that the issues that might affect adults do /will/ affect the children. They should have their say in the protest if they want to.
When I was younger, my parents usually asked me whenever I wanted to go to protests with them and it wasn’t necessary. They waited until I felt ready to participate myself. I think the parents should ask their children whenever they want to involve the protests or not. The parents shouldn’t compress the children’s opinions and thoughts by insisting that they don’t go with them or forcing them to go with them.
Afterall, it’s only my opinion and I notice that there’s not many children about my age or under have their own say in this v/blog. I hope whatever I said will change your opinions about the children. They need have some independence and freedom of mind at some point in their lives. I started mine when I was 9 years old. My brother came around when he was thirteen but still he’s not fully participating yet but understanding the issues and starting to express his opinions.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Also, I forgot to add this part into my last comment, somehow I submitted before I had time to add the extra piece of the information.
—
I have to admit that I frequently have my disagreements with my parents on any issues like Deaf Act, race, employment, or anything political. It expands my knowledge and understanding of the world. Althought, my parents have some difficulity in debating me but yet they encourage me to expand my mind so I can set a mark on the future based on my activeness and thoughts that will change the way the protest is.