Last week, after an upsetting day, I retreated to Starbucks to find solace in a cup of coffee. I relaxed, let my guard down, and - in a weakened state - fell vicitm to the most prolific predator in the Boston metro area . . . the sidewalk activist.
This one was an environmental specialist, and he came at me in the manner of them all. " Do you have a minute for the environment?"
Later, I fantasized that I'd countered, "Why no, I was just on my way to improperly dispose of a battery before buying a set of Styrofoam dishware and burning down a small section of the rainforest." But I didn't. And probably shouldn't.
The thing is, I do care. I do have a minute. So why does being stopped by a sidewalk activist create so much anger and negativity?
The big reason, for me, is that most of the people on the street are not volunteers, but employees. Many here work for the Fund for the Public Interest, a nonprofit that hires and deploys these kids wholesale for a myriad of causes (see www.fundforthepublicinterest.org). Essentially they're salespeople who may or may not be invested in what they're selling that day. Also, because of this setup, any donation that I make on the street is split between the cause being promoted and the canvassing organization.
At the same time, is it really conscientious to avoid, ignore, or even accost sidewalk activists? Listening to what my own little voice is saying, I come down on the side of no. Though sidewalk activists may annoy, one of their main functions is to promote awareness of a cause, which some of them really do care about and excel at, if given the chance. Besides, most of their causes are important and should be considered, rather than ignored.
So here's my new plan of attack, and this is a promise to you: I will stop for sidewalk activists. To listen, to learn, to consider. I think it's the right thing to do.
What do you think?
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