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I've heard a lot of people ask recently what was the point of all of the women's marches yesterday. You know, to be honest, I've asked myself that. People are saying that because we live in America, we have it so much better than women in other countries, and we should just be grateful for that.
I don't disagree. I am very thankful that I am allowed to drive in this country; that I can, for the most part, wear whatever I want; that my parents didn't put me up for adoption or leave me to the elements to die just because I was born female; that it is not custom to have my genitals mutilated as a child; that it was more than just an option for me to go to high school and college, it was expected of me; that I have a leadership position in my company; that I can marry whoever I want. Trust me, I am grateful to be born American, and those worldwide injustices listed above sicken me. Part of the reason I became a journalist was to shed light on those global issues. But, at the same time, when I hear people say I should just be glad we have it alright here in the United States and not ask for anything more, an analogy comes to mind: When I was growing up, I was a pretty good kid. I liked going to church, was pretty smart, did well in sports, never really got into trouble. I could get B's in school without trying all that hard and could make the travel teams in most of the sports I played without giving it my best. But, instead of letting me do that and being satisfied with an alright kid, my parents pushed me. They expected me to get A's and were very upset with me if they knew I had given something less than my best. I tried to quit a sport once (diving) because I decided it was too hard, and they made me stick it out until the end of the season. They gave me opportunities to be the best I could be, but they always expected me to excel, no matter the circumstance. At the time, I felt like I was constantly under a lot of pressure because they expected more from me than some of my peers' parents did. However, now, I am incredibly indebted to them because they taught me not to settle. I am rooting for Trump. I swear I am. We live in a democracy, he is president, and I accept that. At this point, wishing for him to fail is like wishing for a pilot to crash a plane we are all on. However, don't say that his administration has not done anything yet. He removed LGBT rights, civil rights, climate change, and health care from under the "issues" section on the White House website. Even though it's customary for a new administration to regenerate the official website, it deeply unsettles me. For the secretary of education position, he has nominated someone who is clearly unqualified. On his very first day on the job, his press secretary flagrantly lied about a relatively trivial and easily checkable matter. So, to go back to the original question, why women marched, or at least, why I supported the women's marches: We want to show President Trump that we hold this country to a higher standard. Yes, we have it alright — as a straight, white woman, I'd give us about a B-minus. But, for this country that I love so much, B's and C's and D's are not acceptable to me. In reproductive rights, in ending violence against women, in LGBT support, in mental health care, in taking care of our Earth, in just plain and simple kindness and respect for one's neighbor, I and so many other Americans expect A's, and these marches were a reminder of that. *Quick note: I absolutely do not support vandalism or verbal or physical assault. I apologize to anyone who witnessed those type of "protests" because they give a bad name to other marchers. (According to the Washington Post, D.C. police made zero marching-related arrests yesterday). Peaceful protesting is the cornerstone of democracy, and I am ashamed of the people who set fires, destroyed property and created chaos during the Inauguration on Friday -- I do not consider them part of my cause, and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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About the AuthorConfessions of a failed southern lady. I've got messy hair and a thirsty heart. Writer, photographer, career wanderer. Archives
May 2023
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