In which I make even fewer friends than before

"Can you believe that these people are here?"

"They should not be doing this in front of an elementary school!"

What, one might ask, is the cause for such comments? PETA decided to show up at Grace's elementary school at pick up today. Following rules about such activities, PETA notified the school district of their plan to distribute coloring books to families about the evils of circuses (Ringling Bros is coming next week).

I had no idea that this event would require two news crews and half a dozen cops. On the sidewalk stood two attractive young women with coloring books in hand alongside "Ele" the elephant. The women never stepped forward, they only offered coloring books to those who approached them--at least that's what I saw. A news photographer approached me to ask a few questions.

"What do you think about all the police?"

"It seems like overkill to me."

"Can I quote you on that?"

Internal dialogue: Great, let me alienate myself from a few more people!

"Yeah, sure, okay."

After he left, three other people approached me to express their outrage, and I continued my line that I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I wasn't making any friends today, so I decided to put some icing on the cake: "My husband does animal research, and I don't have a problem with these women handing out information." This was met with blank expressions, then confusion, and a little revulsion (eww, your husband does what?).

The people that took the time to express their outrage were genuinely concerned about what message PETA's presence was sending their kids, and all I could think was what a great opportunity to talk to Grace about activism, politics and animal ethics--at her level. I wasn't bothered by PETA because I like open dialogue, and I want my kid to grow up to be a critical thinker.

I'm sure some parents were concerned because PETA doesn't necessarily have the best reputation, but I didn't think for a minute that representatives might scream at the kids or do other disruptive stuff. As Grace and I departed from the school, I stopped to get a coloring book. The young woman did nothing but say thank you.

I chided myself on the way home why did you open your mouth, people will read the paper and you'll have even fewer friends at pick up. And then thankfully I remembered that I'm Grace's parent. I want her to know that I believe in free speech and the right to assemble. I believe that we should take a stand for causes in which we believe, and moreover that we should respect other people's rights to stand for causes with which we disagree. That counts for something, right? It counts for a whole lot.