Since the Presidential Inauguration, there has been talk about an official Day Without Women to represent protest. The official date has been announced as Wednesday March 8th--International Women's Day. This is to stand in Solidarity for justice and human rights of women and all gender-oppressed peoples. THIS IS NOT JUST FOR WOMEN: ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE AND STAND IN SOLIDARITY.
I, like many other I know, have school or work or both on Wednesdays. Which is why if you can't actively participate, you should wear red to show your support. Historically red has been used to represent the labor movement, and this day it will also represent revolutionary love and sacrifice. In addition, you can support the movement by actively choosing not to purchase anything on the Day Without Women.
Many professors at my own college will be taking part in this, despite administration's outward disdain--claiming that professors who choose to protest are selfish and that they are putting their own interests ahead of their students and the education that each of us receives. But I fiercely disagree: decisions like this contradict Jesuit values that we are taught in
class. This day is for solidarity; and we often learn about
solidarity--through immersion trips, Jesuit conferences, or more simply
in the classroom. And here is a hands on opportunity for us to immerse
ourselves in an act of solidarity, yet administration makes it known
that this is something we should not be doing because if we do then
we're selfish. But this statement makes more of an impact that any single class ever could. This shows students that there are more important things in life than an education or a degree. Fear of repercussions is not a valid reason not to protest. Professors standing up for what they believe is right inspires students to do the same. They need to find something they are passionate about and pursue it.
We are often told that issues of gender discrimination no longer exist. These voices come from people in power and in a position of privilege. But if we all collectively say "These issues are relevant, and they affect me." We truly can make a difference. We must do more than recognize a problem exists but also take action.
