I received my Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in the study of Political Science, with a focus on International Affairs (in fact, my major was International Relations until that field of study was folded into the general GVPT curriculum). I credit my interest in affaires politiques to having grown up in a family where Dad was a diplomat.

During my late high school years, the Vietnam War was raging, and I, being of draft age, became more and more disillusioned with the U.S.A.’s lack of commitment to winning that conflict. The media focused on body counts, and the horror of the Mỹ Lai massacre continued to erode my faith in how the U. S. was pursuing that war, seemingly to add to the pockets of industrialists at the expense of American lives. I walked in the Moratorium March on Washington on November 15, 1969. I had graduated high school just months before.

Vietnam faded into memory, as I did not serve in the armed forces, and did not have direct experience with the war. I matriculated college while in Europe, and began my study of International Relations. I saw, first-hand, how communism turned countries into soul-less, grey landscapes, and how the free enterprise system allowed people to succeed. Even though I was no longer marching in protest, my political education continued. I even ran for student body president, and was defeated by less than a half dozen votes.

Then came marriage, a career, and family. I still read, watched and listened to political items; when you live within spitting distance of the nation’s capitol, it’s hard not to. But other than vote in elections, I stayed away from getting involved.

That all changed recently. Virginia, my adopted home, has been becoming more and more tyrannical, in large part supported by anti-American or control-freak types, George Soros, Michael Bloomberg, and others. One of the most successful states in the union one day, seemingly overnight, became another bastion of “progressivism” (I purposely do not capitalize the word). Following the 2019 elections (Virginia holds off-year elections) the entire General Assembly became Democrat-controlled. No sooner had they danced their victory dance, they began putting legislation on the table to reduce the “birthplace of presidents” to the “burial place of human rights.” I won’t go into the numerous bills proposed that will overturn Virginia’s history, increase taxes, and infringe on God-given liberties, but I will say that I’ve awakened to a movement I do not see being beneficial to Virginians.

On Monday, January 20, the official celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, I attended a rally in Virginia’s capital city, Richmond. The rally was a demonstration against the stated proposals that in many peoples’ opinion (mine included) were anti-Constitutional. I was taken back to that day 51 years ago. I wasn’t being rebellious, I wasn’t being threatening, I was being present. I stood up for what I believe.

Maybe this is a turning point. I think it’s too early to tell. What I believe is that if people like me just sit and expect other people to march, demonstrate and attempt to make a point, I will have surrendered my privilege as an American citizen.