On Saturday January 21st, in my home of D.C. and many other cities across the country and world, thousands of women marched.
I would first like to make it known that I have great respect for the people who marched. It is not easy to stand up for what you believe in or show it in such a public way. I believe one of the most beautiful things about our country is that people can voice their opinions in many ways. Many friends of mine marched, and I am happy to be friends with people who are so passionate about their beliefs, even if they differ from mine.
This “Women’s March” came to be shortly after President Trump was declared the victor on November 8th and serves to protest the free and fair election of President Trump.
The march preaches feminism and the acceptance of all, including the “immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault.”
However, soon the March became the very definition of exclusion. News stories began to circulate that told stories of white women not being welcome because of their level of privilege. Next, the ‘all-women’ part became untrue as pro-life women were firmly told they were not welcome in such a march. The official statement of the March is as follows:
“The Women’s March’s platform is pro-choice and that has been our stance from day one. We want to assure all of our partners, as well as participants, that we are pro-choice as clearly stated in our Unity Principles. We look forward to marching on behalf of individuals who share the view that women deserve the right to make their own reproductive decisions. The anti-choice organization in question is not a partner of the Women’s March on Washington. We apologize for this error.”
A fairly obvious question came to light following the release of this statement. The March is called the “Women’s” March, yet are not all women invited? As a woman who is pro-life, am I not welcome at a march that preaches inclusion and acceptance? The irony is clear.
I am a woman who believes in equality. I am a woman who believes in equal pay for equal work. I stand for the things that equality stands for, but not feminism. I do not think equality is reached by tearing down another group, ever. I believe that life is life, be it in the womb or ninety years old, and should never be taken. I do not believe vulgarity will get anyone anywhere.
And do these views make me a bad person? There is a significant group of people out there who would think so. However, I am proud to stand up for what I believe in.
I don’t march because I believe that making divisions in the American people is the last thing we need right now.
I don’t march because I believe that the diversity of thought is one of the most beautiful thing about the United States.
I don’t march because I believe in equality for all.
