On Saturday, January 21, 2017 millions of people across the United States peacefully marched in order to show support towards women's rights. Although a great number of people do not fully support the women’s march due to the recent political divide involving Donald Trump, I choose to look at the march in a different light.
It is so much more than an anti-Trump protest. There has been rampant misogyny and sexism occurring within our society long before Donald Trump took office. These are real issues that affect real women from all walks of life. The organizers of the march stated that the event was created in order to spread one extremely important message; women’s rights are human rights.
This march celebrates the milestones that women have achieved throughout history; milestones that I am ever so thankful for. It's meant to remember the lives of Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, Ida B. Wells, and so many other women who dedicated their lives to creating equal rights for all genders.
It's meant to celebrate the obstacles that women face and overcome on a daily basis. It's meant to offer support to any women who has ever been raped, molested, or touched without permission. For any women who have ever been “grabbed by the pussy” and felt as though they didn't have a voice; this march is for you.
Sexism has been woven within our social norms, affecting different groups of women differentially. Different women experience misogyny in different ways. This march has the ability to unite us all as one. I feel extremely thankful that I have had the opportunity to witness one of the greatest social issue Marches of our time.
I see nothing wrong with empowered women speaking up for a cause that affects half of the global population. Our rights as women matter. Why would we not want to celebrate and defend these rights?
To me, the women's march makes me feel as though my human rights matter. It helps me to realize that other women experience sexism as well, and that as a united nation, we can achieve a brighter future for our daughters and granddaughters.
If you want to know the true platform and social issues that the women's march aims to support, visit: https://www.womensmarch.com/mission/
