Why I March

There has been a lot of discourse over Saturday’s Women’s March on Washington. I proudly participated in my own local “sister march” in San Diego. At first all of the coverage that I saw was from inside of my bubble; people’s joyous photos, exclaims and declarations. I saw floods of pink take over social media.

But as the weekend came to a close, I began to see people’s feelings– those outside of my bubble– spill into my Newsfeed. And it reaffirmed again for me that there is so much divide among us–so much misinformation. There are posts calling women who marched “whiners”, “babies”, “idiots” and “spoilsports”.  Although I cannot speak for others who attended the march, none of these words describe me or my purpose. The current administration, under President Trump, has made it clear what their course is for the next four years. And as a citizen, as a woman, as someone lucky enough to have been born in a country with a right to voice my concern, I did so peacefully by marching. 

I get it, you may think my reasons are shit– fair enough. But at least hear me out.

I took my five-year-old daughter with me. I wanted her to see what women are capable of. I wanted her to see our power, our ability to show our strength and willpower through a gentle means. I wanted her to witness perseverance that women possess. We stood small among thousands of females. Some newborn, clutched tightly to their mother’s chest; some skipped and others were pushed in wheelchairs. Our march was 10,000 people strong– and there was absolutely no violence. In fact, there was not a single arrest during the Women’s March in all of the United States.

It seems to me that there is a misconception that these marches were the “losing side” touting their dismay that their candidate did not win. The simplicity of this generalization is hurtful but moreover it’s wrong. Let me tell you–when we stigmatize people’s feelings without listening to the reasons for their anger, there is no one on the winning side. We saw that in this election– too many people felt ignored and left behind. So they came out and they voted for someone they thought would finally be their champion. If that was you– if you voted for Trump then make him give you what he promised. Follow through. If you thought he could drain the swamp, bring back jobs or be the change you needed then MAKE HIM DO IT. Prove me and every other person who didn’t vote for him wrong. Make him be the candidate you deserve.

This is my way.

I have also seen a lot of posts about how these non-violent protests are acts of treason. But let me assure you that there is nothing unpatriotic about peaceful protests. In fact, our country’s history is rich with examples of peaceful protests that have accomplished many goals, including the cornerstones to our civil rights. I refuse to believe that the majority of people out there are blatant racists, sexists, bigots. I don’t think that’s true for a second. I think that  stereotypes keep getting in the way, especially regarding civil disobedience and protests. Martin Luther King’s, “I Have a Dream Speech” was in the middle of one such protest and helped successfully pass the Civil Rights act of 1964. Women’s rights activists pushed for equality in the early 20th century, which led to the 19th amendment to our constitution, guaranteeing our right to vote. People have peacefully protested fair labor laws, gay rights, war, Big Gov, and many more issues. They were all patriotic, all legitimate.

This march, for me,  was a way for me to express my dissent with the current evolution of our goals as a country. I am a mother of three, a woman, and a concerned citizen who feels that my values are being ignored. I’m not whining. I’m not a baby. And I sure as shit am not an idiot. I am a person who cares deeply about the proposed direction we are going as a nation.

Here is exactly why I marched:

Women’s Reproductive Rights

Slow down. Before you stop paying attention because you think I’m just some other Left Wing Feminist who wants to murder babies and open my legs to the masses, hear me out. I was once young (sigh). I didn’t have health insurance because at 20 I was diagnosed with food allergies, which left me with a fat red mark on my file that read, PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. But I was responsible, so I sought out what resources were available to me and I found Planned Parenthood.

There is a misconception out there that Planned Parenthood is some sort of revolving door to demonic whores to relieve themselves of their fetuses. But abortions are only 3% of the services that Planned Parenthood provides. I’m sure at this point we’re all sick of number and figures, so let me share my personal experience.

• I was always asked about my relationships– were they healthy? Did I feel safe? Was there anything I wanted to discuss?
• I was provided free contraception to protect myself against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. (NOTE: Birth control is officially a proven, effective way to stop unwanted pregnancy, which leads to a DECREASE in abortion. This is something that I think we can all agree is a good thing.)
• Abnormal pap smear results (administered for free each year by Planned Parenthood) showed that I was at risk for cervical cancer. The first step in preventative care was that I get my cervix biopsied. A sweet nurse in kitten scrubs gently explained to me the routine, and I was promptly taken care of. Lucky for me, the results came back negative. This happened two years in a row, and each time I was given a wealth of information and free medical care.

LGBTQIA Rights

Trump’s administration, thus far, has made it clear that LGBTQIA Rights are not important to them but moreover that they aren’t rights at all. This is unacceptable.

I fundamentally believe that marriage should be an equal opportunity for everyone. I don’t want some equivalent law or tax break. It is not equal until it is the same.

I think that your gender identity, sexual preference and any other personal choice that is safe and healthy is yours, and yours alone.

Making people who don’t fit into a box feel like they don’t belong is destructive for everyone– none of us will ever measure up. I can’t fit neatly into a stereotype, and neither can you. But more concerning is this notion that we should be fearful of those who are different than us, that somehow being different equates you with being less than.

Ending Violence

I am so sick of the violence. Violence against women, violence against children. Violence against unarmed black men– against minorities of all shades. I worry about gun violence. Mass shootings. Weapons of any kind of mass destruction. I am not praying to the sunflower Gods in my undies and asking for all of your guns– I’m not asking the impossible. I want regulation and more thorough background checks. I want guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and away from kids. If you’re sane, not eleven-years-old and just a little bit patient– this won’t be a problem for you!

Global Warming/Climate Change

To be perfectly honest, I cannot believe we are still having this conversation.  You can’t choose not to “believe” in climate change– that’s like not believing in gravity. And as someone who falls consistently on their face let me assure you that gravity is very fucking real. The changes of our planet have been scientifically proven by people who are very much smart than us. I could give you a list of links to explore. I could post videos of the glaciers melting. But let’s be real– if you deny this issue, at this point in time, with all of the information at your fingertips– I’m not going to convince you in a blog post. But I sure as hell am not going to give up trying. I will continue to be loud and march and voice my opinion until the current administration puts this on our national agenda.

You may not agree with me. Your hopes and dreams may be different than mine, and that’s OK. If you want to peacefully march for something that sincerely matters to you– do it. I will never stand in your way. But stop with the name-calling and the hurling of insults that imply that I’m somehow ungrateful and unpatriotic for standing up for my beliefs. I have hurt no one. I have perpetuated zero hate. And I stood there on Saturday with the biggest grin on my face, surrounded by women (and a few men, too!) thinking about how things are not changed by Presidents but changed by the people.

I am the people.

And though I’m older now (sigh again), I strive to create a world for my children in which they can have access to affordable healthcare. I want them to be accepted for who they are; not by who they love, what gender they are, what gender they should be, and all of the other shit that is no one’s concern but their own. I want them to simply be alive; to experience the joys of having their own children like I have. I want them to be aware of their responsibility to take care of themselves, their family, their friends, and the whole fucking world.

I want to ensure that there’s one left for them.

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