This week I found myself (again) on a street corner passing out fliers. I hoped to motivate the strangers who hurried along to pause and give real thought and consideration to an issue that was outlined on my flier. It is true that we sometimes have to search for information on current issues. When I become involved, interested or supportive of an issue, I know that education is one of the most important actions for change.
Usually I hold out a flier and in a smiling voice say something that identifies the issue. Such as, "Peace Now," or "Greg Palast is in town" or "Joe Keating for Governor" or "Media Benjamin will be in Portland." I am careful not to block the path of anyone. I don't approach folks who are jogging or even hurrying as if they are late or catching a train. Most often, they extend their hand, accept my flier and move on as I say "thank you."
It's the ones who won't accept the flier that I want to discuss. Some say "I have one" which most often means that one of my associates has already handed the same flier to them. That's fine.
Some say, "No thanks," and keep their heads down, careful not to make eye contact. I'm sure they think they are handling an offensive situation with all the courtesy they possibly can. That's probably true. But it does not please me.
Some ignore me, as if I'm not even there. They are careful to stare straight ahead, protected by some invisible wall. That scares me.
Finally, we have those who look me in the eye and say nasty things. They may attack the issue I am promoting, or they may just curse me for being a public nuisance. Or maybe the use four letter words to let me know that they think I am crazy, misguided and extremely offensive. Frankly, such folks are the masters of offensive, but I feel sorry for their ignorance.
What I want to know is the reason for folks being offended by free information.
How can we evaluate issues, make intelligent decisions about our votes and actions without getting all the available information? If someone does not know about an issue that is so important that people like me will stand around on street corners with printed information, it seems they would at least be curious. What do they have to lose besides a few minutes of their time to read a one-page flier?
If it turns out to be an issue they can support, they are now armed with more facts. If it is about an event that is planned, now they can decide if they want to attend the event or avoid the area. Then, save the flier or drop it in the next waste barrel.
Now for those angry folks — here is ammunition to explain to themselves and others the reasons for their anger. Here, on my flier, are some facts.
My theory (and it's just a theory — I've done no studies) is that folks who won't accept or read handout fliers are in denial. They are afraid to risk finding out that they believe another lie. They are afraid to face the responsibility of supporting an issue that is worthy. It might cost them time or money. They need to be collaborators with winners, so they want to hide while the rest of us do the work of educating the public about issues. They want the rest of us to spend the money on fliers, the time on street corners, the energy to present events, and take the risks of standing up to be counted as wanting change. They don't want to participate in a boycott of a store or product that is convenient for them, even though the comfort and pleasure of the few is gleaned from the exploitation of many.
Folks who do not search for truth usually depend on the corporate media for information. It has been vividly demonstrated that the media are guilty of lies and omissions. It is obvious to me that the corporate media are tools of the ruling elite. The information provided is framed to support the greedy goals of the few with no regard for the welfare of the working class.
The political and financial power of the media constantly stands in the way of any information that might challenge their agenda. We know this to be true. We have found out that there were no weapons in Iraq. The free press and truth seekers of the working class have exposed Enron, prison torture, negligence in New Orleans, some incidents of police brutality, and other forms of great injustice which plague us.
Again I ask, "Don't you want to know the truth?"