Zach Swords had a smile on his face as he waved his sign in the Square Saturday.
The middle-aged woman in an SUV looking at him had a scowl on her face.
“Why don’t you go home?” she yelled.
She then punctuated her feelings by giving Swords the finger.
As Amanda DeVore waved her sign, another driver yelled, “You fag, get a job.”
Those are just a couple of the many negative reactions young protesters of Sarah Palin’s visit to Washington endured.
The protesters responded to the negative reactions with smiles and waves.
The young people — mostly from Washington — gathered Saturday to protest, represent what is good about our youth. They have energy, optimism and do not worry about what others think.
Those hurling ugly words and middle fingers, on the other hand, are an embarrassment.
These young protesters represented a portion of the younger generation that is engaged, astute and polite.
These young people, most of whom who are old enough to vote and protect our nation, have an opinion and took the time and trouble to express their thoughts. Those who did not like their protest could have gotten out of their vehicles to engage these youth in a meaningful manner. Instead, they chose the low road. The adults hurling insults set an example — but not one anyone should be proud of or follow.
It is easy to imagine the same people handing out insults to these young people, also say things like, “Our youth need to be more engaged.”
Kyle Klendworth, 18, a Washington Community High School senior, laughed off the negative reactions. “If you think young people shouldn’t have a political opinion, write your congressman and ask them to raise the voting age to 30,” he said.
Swords, 17, of Washington, said the woman giving him the finger showed her immaturity.
“I think she’s just being a poor sport. She apparently doesn’t appreciate freedom of speech,” he said. “She doesn’t see this as positive. Protesting for your beliefs is a positive thing.”
Swords is absolutely right.
There was a good deal of immaturity on display in Washington Saturday, and it was not coming from the young protesters.
