The Women’s March an act of Civil Disobedience
In response to slavery and the Mexican–American War Henry David Thoreau suggested that individuals should not permit governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences, and that they have a duty to avoid allowing such acquiescence to enable the government to make them the agents of injustice. He called this response to injustice Civil Disobedience. The Women’s March was held on Saturday January 21, 2017. Women all over the world took an idea and marched in an organized peaceful manner in the spirit of civil disobedience for one of the most worth causes, equal rights and against injustice.
I was proud to march alongside people of all races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender in Eugene, Oregon. We marched to support the notion that equal rights should be something that all humans are granted. I marched with women who wanted to protect their right to decide what they do with their bodies. With people people supporting Standing Rock and our proud Native Americans. People from the Free Tibet movement, and people marching for gay and transgender rights. Many other movements aimed at freeing women all over the world from the restraints of inequality and injustice. There were a fair amount of people who didn’t support Trump. The crowd I was involved with shared a resounding sentiment and concern for equal rights.
Say what?
One of the readers on my Facebook page suggested that women already have equal rights. She went on to say “While it’s (the march) sold with idealism that makes us feel good and altruistic, the results and actual intent of these movements are anything but”. She also stated that the march was “completely pointless”. I don’t feel that any movement, be it physical or virtual, that supports human rights and equality are pointless. I’m amazed that people are so set in their ways that they don’t take the time to examine all the facts. They don’t stop watching television long enough to open their eyes and get involved with a movement that is the very spirit of what all religions teach, love.
The Women’s March was over 5 Million strong world wide. World Wide! So suggesting that “None of this is about equal rights. It’s all about special privilege. A little intellectual reason and honesty would go along way. Sadly, none is found in third-wave feminism and therefore cannot be taken seriously.” is a statement, to me, that says women’s rights as well as equal rights aren’t an important issue.
My thoughts…
I, for one, believe that equal rights and women’s rights around the world is something that all people should share and receive. The overwhelming amount of emotion that flooded over me as I chanted “Her body, her choice” and “Love not hate, that’s what makes America great’ will leave an echo that resonates on the very fabric of my being for eternity. I try to live my life with the ideas of love and kindness guiding me. I went to the march originally to support Carrie thinking it wasn’t a place for men. When I left I walked away with the voices of 10,000 human souls uniting in the essence of love. I was part of a shared consciousness called life and it changed me.
Here are some photos from the march:
Written by: Tanis Robert Justice
Edited by: Carrie C
© Tanis Robert Justice 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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