So in between posting comments here, I have been training for my first 10K since, well, let’s just say Jimmy Carter was President when I ran my only other one. The race is tomorrow (Indigenous People’s Day, according to the Mashpee Wampanoag who I figure get naming rights in eastern Massachusetts). It’s probably going to rain (ick).
I’ve done quite a few 5Ks over the years. I love the crowds, which at least where I am are increasingly diverse, reflecting the whole community — Hispanic, African-American, African, South Asian, Middle East, eastern European. I don’t particularly care about the national anthem, but there it is, at the beginning of the race, part of the ritual.
But now I'm thinking about tomorrow’s start. Boston Common, practically across from the MA State House, site of many demonstrations over the years. 5,000+ women, probably of every ethnic, racial, national, religious, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and every other type of diversity. (Yes, there is a wheelchair division.) I’ll be just another older white runner, in the middle of the back of the pack. No one will have their cameras trained on me; they’ll all be watching the first row of elite runners.
So do I take a knee, in solidarity with #BLM? If so, do I need some sort of #BLM sign so people understand why I’m doing it? Is it helpful, or would it come across as trying to draw attention to myself, which doesn’t seem appropriate? Do I wait until I get there and ask around to see if there’s a group that plans to do this?
Comments welcome. I may not be around to respond to each one but will be back later.