I just need everyone to stop for a second.
Because I think I may scream.Â
The reality is that I haven’t stopped screaming in my head since Friday. Â Yeah, yeah… this isn’t a political blog. Â But THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
This is why we march.
Feminist is not a dirty word. Feminists are why you have the rights you do today. Â You think Susan B. Anthony wasn’t a feminist? Â Elizabeth Stanton? Â Eleanor Roosevelt? Â Fighting to keep what you have is not silly, it is admirable.
From Webster:
feminism
the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests”
How is this a bad thing? Â Explain it to me like I’m a child.
If you don’t think we have further to go, look at the pay gap.  The percentage of women in upper level management.  The cost of birth control.  The fact that we don’t have paid maternity leave in America.  Or simply try going for a jog without getting yelled or whistled at.  You think if the situation was reversed, men wouldn’t be revolting?  WAKE UP.
I am beside myself about what’s happening in my country, but what upsets me even more is the reaction by people I know.  The family I know.  The associates of my family members.
Multiple people have claimed “these women don’t even know why they’re marching.”  A woman waived off men treating women with disrespect by saying “all men think they are all that and a bag of chips.”  Women are rejecting the notion of feminism, sharing articles titled “I Am So Over Feminists.”  My personal favorite was the woman offended by the use of the word “pussy” at the march… yet she voted for a president who thinks it’s cool to grab a woman by hers.
A guy I went to MBA school with actually said it is judgmental to imply that men need to be taught rape is wrong.  1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.*  Let me put it another way, out of the 6 girls in your Girl Scout troop, 1 has probably been raped.  Is that okay?  I mean… it wasn’t YOU.
NO. Â NOT OKAY.
*Not an alternative fact (citation)
Why does this happen if men don’t need to be taught not to rape?  There are only two logical conclusions:
- Men DO need to be taught that rape is wrong.
- They just don’t give a shit about assaulting women.
Either way… WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!
There are a multitude of reasons for marching and feminism; they span beyond our rape culture.  That just happened to be the one that made my head spin around.  That same person also discounted the Black Lives Matter movement (because black people also kill other black people) and suggested that women should not have any more “benefits” (it would be unfair to men).  This is not a redneck uncle that barely finished high school.  This is a dude with a graduate degree from a top 25 program.
I’ll say it again:Â THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
Want to read more? Â I loved this post.
Want to DO more? Â Check out this website.
[Tweet “Feminist is not a dirty word. #WhyWeMarch is a BIG DEAL.”]
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“It was woman that gave you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It was woman that gave you Malcolm X.  And according to the Bible, it was a woman that gave you Jesus.  Don’t you ever forget it.” – Janelle Monae
Who else is angry?Â
Did you march last weekend?
PREACH! I’m so glad I got to march with you last weekend lady! It was the most hopeful I’ve felt about this country in months…. unfortunately that hope has since been tattered with after seeing reactions to it on social news and reading Trump news. Did you see a photo of a guy at one of the marches with a sign that said, “You women deserve rape”…..absolutely disgusting. BUT I think the best thing is to try to stay positive and connected with likeminded people, to get involved with volunteering, support causes, and do what we can to make a difference. We might not be able to change others’ minds, but we can make a positive difference.
I am too! I think we should make a point to do something monthly to contribute to awareness. Vegas and I are talking about how to do that… I just really don’t want to lose momentum.
I love your passion in this and the passion of all women across the world who joined in the march. I was actually reading everything you put on FB over the weekend and it stunned and amazed me.
On a random note, I loved seeing so many men march too – so many folk think equality is just something women have to fight for, forgetting that there are so many men out there who want both women and men to be treated equally and for women to decide the law on what applies to them. As David said to me, if I had marched, he would have marched right there beside me.
I loved seeing the support of people all over the world. It meant a lot to us in the states. Same for the men marching. There’s nothing more admiral than men who support the women that they love. Sounds like you have good man. 🙂
You already know I love this so much but mostly because, I struggle with it too – with EDUCATED people and it’s mind boggling!!! I know it’s uncomfortable – it’s a hell of lot more uncomfortable for us women – but this is REAL and it’s happening!!! I already make it a point to teach my 7 year-old boys how to treat women, how to respect women and how to defend and protect women and they are shown how to love women by my marriage and how my husband and I interact.
I applaud you for writing this and now I’m clicking on the link for how to get involved because I’m literally dying to do something about this bullshit.
I love that you have boys… because I know you are one who will raise them to treat women as equals and with respect. That’s the best resistance – making sure our kids know better. This is NOT NORMAL!
Love this post, Laura! I’ve had to hide my ex boyfriend’s anti-feminist, pro-Trump Facebook posts because they are driving me crazy… And making me seriously question my sanity for getting involved with such a giant douche canoe.
Douche canoe is such a great descriptor.
Clap it up. Sing it loud. March for me (while I’m not supposed to do so)
My only problem with the incredible show of solidarity from this past weekend is that I feel like the INTERnational strength and INTERnational message got lost because everyone just focused on the feeling that it was anti-Trump. I kind of wish that there had been a march this fall, prior to the Trump inauguration, so that even the Trump-ettes couldn’t argue that it was just an anti-trump sentiment, and they could even participate themselves (hey, we all need rights!). Then, we could have done another march for the new regime (that the Trump-ettes could have hated on, but no matter because they marched before).
Does that make sense?
I don’t agree with that. Vegas commented about how impressed she was with the signage related to actual issues of just general support for women’s rights. Yes, there were anti-Trump signs, but I would say those we the minority. but yes, I think we need to keep this issue-focused. It’s important that we “go high” and hold him accountable to the impact of his decisions.
Thank you for writing this post. I tell you what, maybe some people will unsubscribe to your blog because of it. Let them and do not be bothered by it.
I debated whether to write something myself on the subject, because like you, I’ve been devastated at what we are facing. I haven’t been myself since November when the shocking results were out.
I hope you don’t mind me sharing this great article that summarizes it perfectly – the why we march
https://medium.com/@dinachka82/about-your-poem-1f26a7585a6f#.x4rtymd5s
Amen to that… I have the same policy on my personal FB account. I can’t NOT say anything when I see something so damaging happening. Thank you for your comment and your support.
I actually linked to that article in the bottom of my post. It’s what inspired me to write this! 🙂
10000% agree with you.
THIS.
I was unable to March in my city because I didn’t realize Calgary had a march until it was too late to change my plans, but hooboy I’m doing whatever I can to raise awareness and support.
I feel lucky that Canada doesn’t have quite the issues as the US, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enact change where I live, or help my American sisters.
I love and appreciate all of the international support. Also, can we move in with you? LOL!
I really feel like the idea of privilege needs to be taught in schools. To men and women. The people I know who have vocally spoke out against the marchers (and I’m not including the POC who chose not to participate for pretty valid reasons) are people who are ridiculously privileged and can’t fathom the idea that not everyone has the rights they enjoy.
It blows y mind how even the privileged can’t sympathize with those that didn’t have the same benefits. I was lucky to have grown up in a great environment, but It doesn’t make me blond to other’s struggles. I’m sure I could do more to understand… but good lord… at least I understand I had a leg up.
i did not participate in the march but followed along on social media. it was a pretty powerful and much needed support to show that this is a big deal. thank you for sharing your thoughts and keeping things real.
Thank you for you comments! It’s important that we all stay aware.
“Privilege is when you think something is not a problem because it’s not a problem to you personally” such a good sign!! Thanks so much for posting!!
Thank you! I loved the sign too. It summed up my thoughts perfectly!
I LOVE this. I am 100% on the same side as you and so worried by everything I see happening now!
You rock. We just all need to keep talking and sharing. This is NOT normal!
Preach, sister. The “they don’t know why they’re marching” comments killed me. Just because there were so many reasons that people couldn’t just pick one does not mean we don’t know what’s happening.
YES! I wish I had stats on it, but I know that the 4 women I marched with and all of the people we had conversations with were QUITE clear on why they were marching.
Here are some more actions to take: https://norahcarroll.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/lets-get-to-work/
A postcard to print and send to representatives (I’m designing and posting one too): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5186df73e4b0046126db234d/t/588621e71b631bdcaa016e13/1485185517497/WomensMarchCards.pdf
And I LOVED that “you are not equal. sorry” post. I read that earlier this week. There’s another one called Dear Christy that’s on that site and is just as great.
I’ve not been blogging lately because I feel like I don’t have anything to say that isn’t political, but fuck it, I’m going to start blogging again and people are probably not going to like it. Viva la resistance!
Also, Saturday was the first day I’ve had any hope since the election. We should do this every weekend.
Agreed. The march made me feel hopeful.
Thanks you for sharing all of this! Keep me posted for when you share your design. I share the link to this one in a few places!