Friday evening I made the trek as reportedly over half a million individuals did out to Washington D.C. for Saturday’s march.
From the get-go I faced confliction in my commitment. Was I committing to an event that lacked teeth? Intersectionality? What did the march’s discourse represent exactly?
What came of the journey was an important experience, although one not easily put into words. The images included aim to do just that.
To march down the street in support of the Equal Rights Amendment on the way to the White House whilst Beyoncé was playing in the background felt like I was in a girl power music video. It was oddly a surreal experience to say the least.
But, this wasn’t a music video, and I wasn’t on a vacation.
And while it may have felt great to march with my sisters, I left asking myself more than ever what can I do for those who couldn’t, cannot and felt excluded.
As I hope all allies did.
This march was about solidarity for all of women, not just those who look like and can relate to you. And while I do not regret my decision to attend, I am, as many are, concerned with what action will follow.
There has been concern of marches lacking inclusion of women of color and trans women following, as there had been from the very beginning in organization.
Intersectionality is a necessary ingredient in the recipe for change.
Marches are an unbelievable display of support. But if the umbrella term of women is used, I would argue there needs to be absolute commitment, including showing up DAILY for those in marginalized communities.
Performative action alone will not bring about necessary policies benefiting those marchers showed up for.
There is a lot to be done, a long road lies ahead, those who marched and those who stood in solidarity cannot stop here.
