Way More To It

It's common all over the world to see protesters. They are usually those who have just stepped out of youth into young adulthood and are often well educated and knowledgeable about the topic they are dealing with. I have had friends over the years who brag about their younger days when they were part of  demonstrations and carried signs and felt togetherness with their fellow protesters. What I always want to ask them is what they actually did about their issues rather than merely carry signs and shout slogans. The reason I wonder, is that with a lot more experience under my belt, I know that most demonstrations are a benefit to Media because the Media is the "message" and is also, the reality. The major part of any demonstration today, is to be seen and heard and what better method to spread it far and wide  is to enlist The Media. Of course everyone knows it, especially the professional Demonstration Mavens. Still and all, those who carry a sign, are not all wanting to see themselves in the news, but are doing so because they believe in what they are doing to the point of making a personal sacrifice to demonstrate their sincerity. I admire this small segment. To those committed folks, it isn't merely the thrill of marching about with a sign, elbow to elbow with those of common ideas and afterwards, sit to around and gab about what a wonderful day it was. No. If you believe strongly in something, it's much more. Today I saw media coverage of those who were protesting homelessness. They were very young people holding signs and shouting. None of them, obviously, by the clothing they wore and their haircuts and nice healthy bodies, knew what it was like to live in the ways they were protesting against. Sure, they may have spoken to those people or listened to their helpers, but the sign carriers didn't match their cause. They  live in homes and have families who pay for their upkeep and education, and take care of them when they need it. After  they go home from the demonstration and celebration with their pals, to sleep in clean beds in warm places. Do they think to make a true commitment and invite the people they speak for with their signs and shouts, to share their lives? What do they actually do to solve the problems they point out to others in personal real terms? To do that is the hard part. There's way more to it than demonstrating with signs and noise in the streets. There's way more to it than their excitement of seeing police enter the scene. The police are there putting their bodies on the line to protect everyone at the location. Demonstrating is no temporary thrill for them. When emotions flare up, they have a job to do and they must do it even though phone cameras are catching often unfairly, of the action in a situation. Sometimes what is photographed by onlookers show the down side viewpoint and send it on for their personal online "fame". Hits glory. Amateurs are only that and can do what they please with their pictures; professional media cannot. Apart from the emotional kicks that some demonstrators get, there remains at the crux of it, those of the cause who often receive no benefit. The way more to it means that you have to do way more than carry a sign and yell to be true to your cause. Causes are personal and up close. What is your way more?