Sunday morning at approximately 10:30 a friend and myself were driving by Nativity Church on South University when we noticed people holding signs with derogatory content towards homosexuals. I had heard they were coming to Fargo to spread their bigotry and was looking forward to telling them with some choice words that this community is the last place they would find any sympathy for their twisted hatred.
As we approached the first of the sign holders my window was down and both my friend and myself were communicating with the protesters in sign language and with verbal effects of the same note. What we didn't know was there were teenagers apparently from Nativity Church who were protesting the bigots message of hate with a smile on their faces and a peace sign displayed with their hands and on signs of their own.
What happened next was something that will always haunt me. As traffic slowed for a red light, I found myself screaming and gesturing at some of the kids, who are the heart and soul of what's good and right with this world, some 10 feet away from the car before I realized they were not part of the hatred movement. I did not in that moment while the car slowed down take the time to read "their" signs to know that they were fighting for the same ideals that I was.
That they chose to do the right thing, the right way, the intelligent and adult way. And there I was, a 40-year-old supposed respectable member of society berating these wonderful teenagers who chose to make a difference for the good in our world. I feel terrible.
By the time we started pulling away in traffic I realized that the smiles on their faces and the peace signs held high in defiance of bigotry were their brave opposition to the dark side of humanity. I saw hurt in some of their faces. Maybe even fear. I just wish that I would have realized that maybe the group of people holding those signs were not all in the same camp.
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Upon reaching home I immediately jumped into my truck and headed back to shake their hands and apologize to each one but they were all gone.
This is the only medium I can use to hopefully let these incredible teenagers know that what you did is for the good of mankind and what I did was so unacceptable. I am so sorry.
Greg Kooren
Fargo
