August 23, 1968
by Amy
Took part in a Washoi training. I bet you're wondering what a Washoi is. It is based on the Japanese student demonstrations. We stand side by side, link arms and waists move in unison. It looks like a giant snake dance. I imagine it's pretty from afar, though no one cares about the look of it. A guy I stood next to said that it felt like we were synchronized swimmers or something. The only thing we were missing was swimming caps.
Some of the younger folks showed up with football helmets and pads. It seemed like a good idea, though none of the pads I tried on fit me. We gathered afterward and talked about scheduling. People who are new to nonviolent protests have workshops they can attend. I'm surprised how many straights are going to these workshops. They must've had 30 straights at one of them. It made me wonder if they weren't narcs or something. But I spoke to a few of them, and they seemed to actually be real. One of them said that he decided to come - despite the bad vibes - but for his own protection, he shaved.
Very few McCarthyites are around. We've heard that they've been told not to go to the parks. I guess McCarthy is afraid we'll infect them. In a way, I feel sorry for the kids. But once they wise up, they'll be a force to be reckoned with.
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Glasses was confronted on the steps to our office by 2 straights. They appeared out of nowhere and told him that they will be "his keepers" during the convention. And maybe afterward as well. He was warned to play nice, meaning submit to whatever they have planned.
So they go wherever he goes, which is crazy. But not, I suppose. Glasses is now viewed as a leader. Technically, I'm his assistant. But I haven't been confronted by anyone and I don't think anyone is following me... Yet.
