Performative vs. Serious

This morning, the protesters were beginning to gather as I drove down Carson Street.

On one side: “No Kings” signs and a loose coalition of anger, fear, and frustration. On the other, a smaller group of Trump supporters, holding their ground, saying their piece. This wasn’t the first protest, and it won’t be the last.

I’m glad they’re out there.

You don’t have to agree with someone to respect that they’re trying. That they’re showing up. That they’re taking something seriously in an age where seriousness is rare.

We live in the softest era in human history. Most people — not all, but most — are safe. Comfortable. Fed. Entertained. We’ve built a culture where the outrage cycle is driven by screens and algorithms; most of what we’re told to care about is distraction dressed up as destiny.

Softness isn’t a sin. But it breeds unseriousness. And unseriousness is a liability.

So when I see people out there protesting, especially people I don’t agree with, I feel a little hope. Because at least they’re taking something seriously.

At least they’re saying: this matters.

This isn’t just a left-wing moment. There are still serious people on the right. I work with some of them. I also know the nature of this administration means media dominance often outranks nuanced governance. That doesn’t make it all bad — but it does mean the signal-to-noise ratio is brutal.

Some of my liberal friends already think I’ve gone full devil for the work I do. Some of my conservative friends treat anything short of total allegiance as apostasy.

But one of our (many!) real divides isn’t left vs. right. It’s performative vs. serious.

So no — I don’t see those protesters as enemies. I see them as people trying to reclaim their own agency in a system that teaches passivity at worst, keyboard activism at best. I don’t agree with them on a lot. But I respect that they’re doing something. And I wish more people on both sides were doing the same — with intention, clarity, and a sense that this is still our country to steward.

Not just argue about.

Greg W. Brooks. First published on Facebook, June 14, 2025.