In light of recent events, I have been thinking a lot about the role that disagreements, discussions, and resistance play in not only politics but also our daily lives. As a philosophy major, I spend the majority of my time disagreeing and getting disagreed with, and I happen to love it. Although I know that not everyone is going to choose a path in which they spend their lives debating, many people will find that they run into disagreements from time to time. Further, many people will be faced with adversity in their lives that makes them want to rebel, resist, and stand up for themselves.
Those who supported and voted for Trump worked for what they believe(d) to be change. They wanted someone who wasn’t a career politician; an outsider to come in and stir the pot. Their motivation was to resist the system that they believed was broken. Their rallies, words, and actions were a form of protest, and they had every right to do so for one very important reason; they’re Americans. Our country is one founded on the ideas of democracy, ideas that invite and encourage (peaceful) protest, free speech, and resistance.
As all of you know, we start this week with a new president. Many if not all of you have strong feelings about this event in American history, whether they be positive or negative. I’m not here to talk about whether or not I think Donald Trump will be a good president for our country. Instead, I would like to highlight another event in American history that happened just one day after Mr. Trump took office.
The Women’s March on Washington took place on January 21, 2017 in many different cities all over the world. For those of you who don’t know, these marches were inspired by the racist, sexist, divisive, hate-filled language and actions that have plagued our nation, especially in regards to the 2016 election. Millions of people of all color, gender, country of origin, and sexual preference gathered in solidarity as a response to the oppression and hate that women, people of color, disabled people, and the LGBTQ community have faced. Marches not only took place in every state, but on every continent. This was the start of a movement, a resistance movement that can and should happen for one very important reason; Americans are upset, and Americans have the right to stand up for what they believe to be injustice.
I have heard many people say things like, “people need to accept that Trump is President and move on with their lives,” “liberal snowflake crybabies at it again,” “things are worse for women in other countries I don’t know why you’re complaining,” etc. What I would like to address is the first example, the one that argues we should give Trump the benefit of the doubt and wait it out. The “sit down and shut up” approach that Trump supporters felt had been forced on them by the establishment. The approach that would have led to another “career politician” in office if the Trump supporters were to have taken their own advice. I repeat, if those who wanted change would have “given her the benefit of the doubt” Hillary would be our president, and the change they desired would have never presented itself.
The people exercised their right to speak out and fight for change, and now the rest of us will do the same. In fact, there have been many of our fellow Americans who have left their families and even given their lives so that you had the right to rally for Trump, and so that I have the right to speak out against sexism, racism, misogyny, and injustice. Unless of course you want to explain to those fighting for you and they’re only fighting for your opinions, your lives, and your freedom (good luck.) I’m not asking anyone to change their political opinions, I’m merely pointing out the fact that the Women’s Marches were American democracy at work. So, to the resistors, go forth with love, hope, and strength. And to those who are upset or confused about the peaceful marches, please remember that as an American you had the right to support Trump and support the “change” that you wanted to see, and as Americans, we have the same right, and that, is what truly makes America great.
