Make Him Take It

In the spring of 1968 some friends and I made George Wallace very nervous.

George Wallace, then “First Gentleman” of Alabama, was running for President. George Wallace was virulently racist, segregationist, seethingly evil. Only two or three percent of the population is as evil as he was.

As part of his campaign he was to speak at the local American Legion. His bodyguards were Alabama State Troopers. Their meanness was legendary. Our plan was simple: stare him down. We—nicely dressed high school juniors and seniors—arrived early and took the first three rows. The legionnaires—far to the right of Atilla the Hun—were forced to sit be us.

Wallace and his Troopers took the stage. We, having resolved to do nothing but silently stare at him, did just that. He tried to avoid our stare. He began his remarks. He started off with fiery delivery, but that soon cooled. Between sentences, he looked at us furtively. He lost his place a couple of times. He stumbled over his words. We could see sweat on his forehead. He started stammering. He was dissolving in front of us. He wrapped up his remarks sooner than scheduled and quickly left the stage, avoiding the reception that had been planned for him after his talk. He left the building in humiliation. The Troopers were fuming, but there was nothing they could do. We silently filed out. There was nothing the legionnaires behind us could do either.

Because we were completely nonviolent, there was nothing Wallace or the troopers or the legionnaires could do but take it.

And we made them take it.

Today there will be huge protests all over the country. The subject of the protests is Donald J Trump. He is evil—to use his words—“like you’ve never seen.” Seethingly, snidely, cynically evil. Only two or three percent of the population is as evil as he is.

Donald J Trump is and always has been a bully. Used to getting his way. His main method is blunt intimidation. And he’s looking for an excuse to declare martial law. He hopes today’s the day.

Don’t fall for it. Do what we did in 1968. Remain completely nonviolent. Yes: chant. Yes: taunt. Yes: carry signs. But don’t be tempted to display or encourage one tiny shred of violence. That’s what he wants. Don’t give him an excuse.

Just make him take it.