Wisconsin Lutheran, Day 1

As I sat over my waffle this morning preparing my body for the long physical day, I thought about what I needed to prepare my mind for the long mental day. I thought of my family. I thought of my friends. I thought of the family members I hadn’t yet met. I thought of all the people I knew that committed suicide because they couldn’t reconcile their faith and identity. I thought this would be enough to keep me focused throughout the day without getting antsy or distracted. It wasn’t.

Standing on the sidewalk in front of Wisconsin Lutheran College, for eight hours, I gazed at the administration building facing me, towering over me, and overpowering my fellow riders and me.

I stood in vigil, sang, and sat at a resource table to provide dialogue and information to Wisconsin Lutheran students. Only three students approached me to talk, but their words re-assured me that this is a conversation that needs to happen, and that the students want it to happen.

While I stood in vigil, other riders went off-campus to have a meeting with Wisconsin Lutheran students and faculty. A lot of the riders came back from that meeting with the same feelings that many of us experienced during our vigil.

I prepare myself for tomorrow’s civil disobedience and hope that my dedication to non-violence is not only a dedication, but a submission to it. I hope that my actions will provide truth, hope, and love to the students and faculty that need it.

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