The Power of One
My take on the anti-McDonald’s protest in Tecoma
She sits alone on the rooftop. Behind her the forest glows in the early morning light.
Serene. Resolute. Brave. Beautiful.
That image still haunts my thoughts today.
She represents all my thoughts, OUR thoughts as we fight as a community for what we believe in.
We fight for democracy: to be represented fairly by those we vote for and to have our beliefs honoured; and to have our voices heard when we feel that is not happening.
We fight for diversity: to be free to choose from a range of options rather than being railroaded towards one bland, homogenised offering – whether that be food, fashion, lifestyle or political view. The media often has us portrayed as eccentric hippies (and admittedly, some are) but most of us are perfectly normal folk – of all ages, backgrounds and professions.
We fight for community: to preserve the uniqueness that brought us here – a chance for a slower, greener, healthier life, along with other people who share those values – and to support the small business owners who are also part of that community.
We fight for family: to raise kids who are free from many of the pressures that living in the ‘burbs face – to think a little differently, discover what the word “treat” means for them rather than what some advertising agency thinks it should be (the Munchkin’s current favourite is Devonshire tea at the Kallista Tea Rooms), to collect bugs, climb trees and be a part of the great outdoors, rather than just a casual observer.
We fight for nature: to keep our forests free of litter, and our animals (and our sleep) protected from the late-night hoons who feel it their right to take on the windy roads at high speeds (they do this already, what will it be like when they have a convenient gathering place nearby?)
Compared to this lone roof-sitter, my own protest efforts seem so insignificant. Sure, I signed a petition or two, attended a community protest event and voted for a councillor who would fight as best they could. I toot my support every time I drive through Tecoma. I repost a few anti-maccas Facebook posts. I certainly don’t eat at McDonald’s elsewhere (it’s been about 20 years actually)! And I talk about it with my friends.
The Munchkin does too… I overheard him chatting about it with his friend after school the other day. I didn’t catch all of the conversation, but it was clear they were both strongly opposed to McDonald’s in Tecoma, (although there was some debate about whether it was OK to like the chips (their word)… odd considering both kids have only ever eaten Maccas fries once in their lives!)
When he was little, the Munchkin used to make us giggle by calling it, “Old McDonald’s with the food we don’t like” whenever we drove past the golden arches – like that was its name!
It may not be stopping demolition crews by sitting on a roof, or chaining oneself to a bulldozer, but maybe our willingness to share our true beliefs as parents, and be firm, positive influences and examples to our kids, are a protest that will last much longer, even if the battle in Tecoma is lost.
Due to the high frequency and severity of trolling (including reports of death threats) that is occurring regarding this topic, I have chosen to close comments on this post. I hope you understand. You can sign the online petition here…
Image: Photo by Penny Stephens, The Age. Reproduced with permission.
