May Day Morning

No work, no school, no selling, no buying.

I'm at work but have yet to do the other "do not do's" and I'm staring blankly at a flyer that reads:

March Begins at 12:00 p.m. @ Olympic & Broadway
Ending @ Los Angeles City Hall

May as well leave work now and start walking there already but I'm considering this my moment to take a deep breath. Why the deep breath? I'm asking myself that too.

Was listening to KPFK this morning and of course Amy Goodman explained the history of May day. It has its beginnings in Communism, Marx, the power of the worker and as a result of the labor movement in the U.S. we have our 8 hour workday. The Haymarket martyrs in Chicago were discussed too, maybe that's why I'm pausing - will some anonymous person turn this peaceful march into a riot?

Communism, is the elephant in the room, for me. Many immigrants in the U.S. and around the world fled from leaders who misinterpreted & abused the ideas within Communism. Knowing this, I understand why some Californians are gathering within their congregations and community groups today, in protest of celebrating May day.

But, I'm not really the type of person to join groups. Groups of anything. That's probably not really possible. Being clear and decisive, saying either yes or no is important. Its equivalent to giving a strong handshake. But I like maybe. Maybe, acknowledges the fact that there are always two sides to everything if not more. Maybe, embraces being on the margins and I mean that, in a positive way.

So why am I going today? I work for a community organization and some of my clients will suffer a great deal if HR 4437 becomes a long term reality. And really, I'm not a felon if I help someone in need. In that way, I feel compelled to go out there and support the cause because that's essentially what my job is.

My family will surely be annoyed cause they think this is dangerous, but the hope is that they'll be wrong = )