Confession. I wasn’t going to attend the Women’s March on Boston. I had a weekend away planned with Greg, and I felt as though one person wouldn’t make that much of a difference in the crowds. And selfishly/self-care-ishly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to experience the roller coaster of emotions.
I felt as though I’d done my march when I campaigned in Nashua, and I’d keep quietly working on the sidelines by voting, supporting the free press with subscriptions, contributing to organizations at risk, and volunteering my time to fight climate change with our local Green Schools and Sustainability groups.
In the end, I couldn’t stay away. My mom arrived with a hand-knit pussy hat for me made out of vegan yarn she’d hunted down. Our “weekend away” was conveniently located in Boston.
I went. Me in pink hat at right.
It was powerful to be surrounded by thousands of other people who are also concerned about equality, climate change, affordable health care, rape-culture, international diplomacy… the list goes on.
Whatever your politics are, there’s no denying that our current president has said things that our country cannot be proud of. There’s no denying that our climate and environment are at risk. There’s no denying that the end of the Affordable Care Act without adequate replacement would mean millions of people losing their health care.
The turnout at these marches far exceeded organizers expectations. The New York Times posted photos from marches on every continent.
I hope it sends a message to the world that the United States is not united in hatred, misogyny, bigotry and climate denial. That like them, many of us are concerned about international peace and diplomacy under our new leader.
I realize the momentum will fade. But I hope this historic turnout is evidence of a new rise in political activism and involvement that will help challenge the negatives of this administration.
Because this isn’t just about disagreeing about how to reduce unemployment or the least expensive way to provide people with health care options. It’s about what we’re doing to our environment for generations to come. It’s fighting the racism and number of hate crimes on the rise after the election. It’s about international peace and avoiding WWIII.
More than 4 years are at stake here.
That’s it for politics for now… and hopefully for a while. But I wanted to share these incredible photos that Greg captured at the Women’s March in Boston.
I hope that you will hold your own values strong over the coming months and years and whatever your political allegiance, do your best to ensure your vote makes our country and world a better place. Women’s March on Washington published 10 actions for the first 100 days if you’re in search of inspiration.
Tomorrow, I’m taking The Pursuit at the Equinox. It’s a cycling class where they post your stats on the wall. No pressure 😉
My nieces were at the Chicago March – but due to size the March was cancelled and it became a protest. It was, like Boston and DC, one of the largest. They are 25 and 23 years old and they had a sign with a Ruth Bader Ginsburg Quote “When will there be enough women on the court? When there are 9.”
Hah, I love Ruth Bader Ginsburg! Luckily, there are so many good men out there that we won’t need a fully female court to do the right thing in the future. I came from a family of such men, married one, and hope to be raising two. That gives me some hope. Things like the he-for-she movement and seeing so many men at the march… it’s beautiful when strong men realize women’s rights don’t mean a violation of theirs.
Glad you went! I attended the one in Philadelphia and found it peaceful, respectful, and inspiring.
That’s wonderful – I was so thrilled to read how peaceful they were. Given the number of people it’s always a concern, and things seem to have gone so well.
Something happened with this election. Something that wasn’t right. I felt it the second I saw the results.
Now we are seeing the return of propaganda and Cold War tactics – here. HERE. In our United States.
Let it be a wake up call.