I tend not to share on social media my personal politic views, as I don’t want to start an argumentative conversation behind a keyboard. But while posting a video of today’s live feed from CNN showing how many people showed up in Chicago for today’s rally and march, I had a FB friend who seemed to think that today’s march was a bunch of “cry babies” and that today’s will “accomplish nothing” and to “get over it”. Being an educator by nature I feel like I need to explain what today’s movement really means to thousands of Americans. Hence why I am hitting the keyboard (extremely aggressively) to have my voice be heard. Note this is NOT to open the door to an argumentative conversation but an op-ed piece to share my point of view.
First of all, I want to thank all the #nastywomen and #WomensMarch brigade who hit the pavement this weekend. I loved your signs, your pictures and videos you shared online. Thousands of men, women, children, marched to show the solidarity of one thing – THEY WANT TO BE HEARD. Similar to how many of American had Exercised their first amendment right to assemble for years, so have they.
Right To Assemble
The right to assemble is intricately related to the formation and growth of the philanthropic sector because it answers the need to come together, share common beliefs, and act upon those beliefs (concepts that have been so essential to this sector’s creation). Groups form for many purposes, from reform movements (the Civil War, women’s suffrage, the struggle for civil rights) to charitable organizations that meet specific needs (e.g., the American Red Cross) to churches, mosques and synagogues
What is bothering me today is the lack of education and pure ignorance on the part of many American who don’t quite understand what The National Women’s March is and what it stands for. So let me share my perspective on what today’s movement means to me.
I am writing to frame today’s march as a movement. I would hate to see the days spent by thousands across the country in preparation for today is only seen as a march. I view today’s movement as an awaking to an ideology of a paradigm shift towards understanding the concerns of all Americans, especially the concerns facing all women living in this country. I am a daughter, wife, mother, aunt, educator, and friend who I would like to do my part in helping create a momentum in sharing this movement beyond this weekend.
20 years ago when I graduated high school I viewed the world very differently. My goal in life at 18 was to go to college, get a degree, getting married and have kids. Through expanding my horizons in college and the years beyond, I was given the ability to see the world through a different lens. Through the past 20 years, I have faced injustices in the workplace, unfair pay because of my gender, reproductive challenges, observed friends who have been denied access to affordable health care due to a predetermined medical condition, and the list goes on and on. While everyone faces different adversities in their lifetime, being ignorant to the challenges of those around you is unacceptable, especially if you have been awarded the presidency of the United State and you represent a country which s made up of people who are facing such adversities.
As I sit here my kitchen of my home, a well-educated mother of two healthy boys, while my loving and supportive husband is at the grocery store it occurs to me there are no traditional gender roles in our home. Daily we share the duties on who cooks the meals for the day, who takes care of the kids, does the laundry and grocery shopping. We are a united team in our household and I wish this model could be shared across the country in every home and workplace.
So what can you do to make your mark on the movement? Volunteer in your community. Share your talents with the less fortunate not just your opinions. Make known your voice not just in words but in actions too. Get informed on local and national politics through credible news sources and practice social responsibility in person and on social media. For more ideas and information on this movement, please visit their website at https://www.womensmarch.com/.
The Two-Minute Mom 