As a mother and a woman of color, I find myself compelled to march for justice and equity. This journey begins with a simple thought experiment: Imagine being the only person of your race in a room filled with people from a different background. Picture the discomfort of being the lone female physician in a room dominated by male colleagues. Imagine your child being the only child of color in their classroom, facing assumptions about their abilities based on their heritage. This is a reality that many people of color encounter daily, a stark reminder of the biases that persist in our society.
Now, let’s consider a crucial point: even within these challenging situations, white individuals still hold significant political, economic, and social advantages in this country. Even if they are marginalized in other ways, they can often navigate society without facing the systemic barriers that people of color confront. Understanding this dynamic is essential for fostering a truly inclusive environment.
In the United States, many communities were built upon exclusionary principles designed to keep people of color out. For instance, in Portland, Oregon, it wasn’t until 1948 that Black residents could live within the city limits. Even then, practices like redlining perpetuated segregation. This isn’t just a historical issue; similar practices have affected countless neighborhoods across the nation, leading to the gentrification of once-vibrant communities where Black, Latinx, Asian, and Native American populations thrived.
Fast forward to today, and we see the consequences of this long history playing out in real time. As cities gentrify, working-class families—many of whom have lived in these neighborhoods for generations—are forced to relocate as they can no longer afford to live in their own communities. This dislocation raises critical questions about justice and equity.
On January 21, 2017, I joined thousands of women in my community to march for our rights and the rights of all marginalized groups. We stood in solidarity with millions more across the nation, advocating for self-determination and challenging forces that seek to undermine our rights. The Women’s March on Washington emphasized the importance of intersectional feminism—a concept that some, primarily white women, have struggled to grasp. They often ask why it’s necessary to center the voices of marginalized women instead of uniting under a single banner. This question underscores a failure to grasp the essence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Until all are free, none are free.”
I drew inspiration from the Women’s March platform, which asserts that gender justice is inherently linked to racial and economic justice. It emphasizes the need for a society where all women, especially those who are Black, Native, immigrant, Muslim, and queer, can thrive in safe and supportive environments without structural barriers.
I march for my grandmother, who stood alongside Dr. King in 1965, fighting for integrated schools in Boston. I march for my mother, who, as a child, faced hostility from those trying to prevent her integration into an all-white institution. I march for my own child, who also faces the specter of segregation in her education.
I march for families like mine who are grappling with the rising costs of living and the scarcity of affordable housing. I march for the mothers who stretch every dollar to provide for their children and for the childcare workers—often women of color—who struggle to make ends meet while caring for our future generations. I march for women of color, who are disproportionately affected by violence, particularly from law enforcement.
It’s crucial to recognize that while many issues—like education and safety—affect all women, the systemic racism that continues to impact women of color creates vastly different experiences. Some women face steps to climb towards equity, while others face mountains. Acknowledging these disparities and striving to lift each other up is a fundamental aspect of true feminism.
White women, the responsibility lies with you to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by women of color and to actively work against the structures of white supremacy. This is your moment to raise children who are anti-racist, to challenge your biases, and to confront racism when you encounter it. Your engagement is vital in the fight for justice.
In summary, we must unite not only as women but as advocates for equity and justice. The fight against systemic oppression requires all of us, and together we can strive for a more just and equitable society.
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