Let’s Say “Women”!
I attended the Boston (Massachusetts, USA) Women’s March with my mother. She had never been to a public demonstration before.
I was surprised and a little saddened by how challenging it was to put attention on the gathering as a “women’s” event. When I heard the chant, “This is what democracy looks like,” I shouted, “Show me what the sisterhood looks like.” When I heard, “The people united will never be defeated,” I yelled, “Our sisters, united, will never be defeated.”
I started chants specific to women’s issues, like “Equal work, equal pay” and “My body, my choice.” When I heard, “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” I started the chant, “Hey hey, ho ho, misogyny has got to go.” Our collective action is not about a single man.
I was scared at first to say “women” and “sisters,” but I asked myself, ”What is wrong with these words? Isn’t this why you are here?” My mom was wonderful and backed me up [supported me] in my cheers. And I was grateful for the RC women who had shown me the importance of noticing female bodies and voices and all women being sisters.
Western Massachusetts, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders of women
(Present Time 187, April 2017)