Fight or Flight?

Maybe it’s time to fight with more than my words! In a dream last night, a heavily armed man in black came to take me away. I was leaving the Early Voting Center here in Minneapolis when he confronted me. He mocked me for my political beliefs, taunted me because my beliefs about gun violence, racism, human rights and horror over the death of Judge Ginsburg were not in alignment with the government’s.

In the dream, I stood still, not responding to his mocking remarks, just staring at him, making a decision. I was filled with fear as I gazed at him in silence. There was a lot more to the dream, but in that moment, I realized I had two choices: fight or flight.

What was more important? My personal safety or my country? I could simply disappear or I could take a stand. As the Man in Black moved to handcuff me, to make me disappear, my subconscious made a choice. I attacked; I physically lashed out.

My reading glasses are now the worse for wear as I swept most of the items on my bedside table to the floor. At least in my dream, I made a choice. I didn’t go silently. I fought to protect the invisible, the vulnerable, the different. I didn't pull my punches. This action woke me up. At 2:00am, I calmly picked up the items from the floor, feeling a bit silly to have physically lashed out in my sleep; at the same time, I was relieved I didn’t knock over the lamp.

But, let’s hope in the light of day, I would find the courage to make the same choice, to hold the same conviction. I am a man of words, not violence; but, maybe it’s time to rethink that choice. Words don’t feel enough.

What would you do if the government came to take you or your loved ones away? It’s my belief you have to experience fear to understand bravery. Would you choose fight or flight?