You may have noticed that a few million people rose early on a Saturday not too long ago, all sporting some unique pink hats. These individuals gathered their handmade signs and, after a bit of camaraderie over coffee or breakfast sandwiches wrapped in foil, joined the throngs of others heading in the same direction. There were plenty of women in the crowd, and naturally, someone brought along a tray of cupcakes to share.
As they disembarked from their buses, the participants merged into a sea of thousands, hearts swelling with pride as they saw the wave of humanity flowing down the streets. They held their signs aloft, chanting phrases like “This is what democracy looks like!” They exchanged high-fives with local police officers and cheered for motorists who shouted supportive messages. They embraced friends and strangers alike, all while maintaining a peaceful demeanor. No damage was done, no arrests were made.
So, what prompted this mass gathering?
You might be inclined to question those who protested, “Why bother? You have rights now, and you’ll still have them tomorrow. Just accept the new administration and stop complaining.”
However, many of us weren’t marching for our own rights. For instance, I’m a white, college-educated, heterosexual woman with health insurance and access to affordable birth control, living comfortably in my own space. I’m not part of a marginalized group. I didn’t roll out of bed at 5 AM on a cold January morning to advocate for all the white, straight, middle-class folks like myself.
I marched for others. At one point during the event, a speaker in Denver asked for a moment of courage. She requested everyone who had ever experienced sexual assault or unwanted touching to raise their hand. A heartbeat of silence followed, and then every woman I saw raised her hand—women of all races, shapes, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. My friends and I stood alongside two 11-year-old girls who took in the sight of those raised hands. What do you say to them in that moment?
Yes, as women in America, we do possess many rights. But if we truly had reached equality, there wouldn’t have been such an outpouring of people rising from their warm beds on that Saturday morning to say “enough is enough.” If this seems foreign to you, perhaps you are unaware of those who struggle without the same privileges. It’s possible that viewing images of all those gathered peacefully evokes discomfort. If that’s the case, maybe it’s time to confront that discomfort.
Diverse opinions are a hallmark of democracy, and that’s something to celebrate. The reason millions marched worldwide is that something is undeniably amiss. Ordinary political disagreements don’t typically ignite such mass protests with pink hats and homemade signs. If a standard politician had taken office—one I might not fully agree with—I would have stayed home. But this situation is anything but ordinary.
I marched because I recognize that this is not the norm.
I marched for our planet.
I marched for those who feel marginalized.
I marched for immigrants, who come here just as my great-grandparents did.
I marched so that I will always remember where I was and what I was doing that Saturday.
I marched so my young daughter never has to raise her hand among a sea of others.
There’s a powerful movement happening, and I, for one, won’t stop at just a march. For more insight into these issues, check out this post on our blog. If you’re considering home insemination options, Make A Mom offers trusted at-home insemination syringe kits, while NHS provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the march was a significant event reflecting a collective desire for change and equality. It united individuals from diverse backgrounds under a common cause, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy.