(ThySistas.com) “We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.”—Women’s March on Washington
On Saturday January 22, 2017 women came together from all over the world to stand up for women’s equality at the Women’s March on Washington. “Sister marches” held concurrently in every state across the nation, (and in several cities abroad) added to the numbers and the diversity. I marched in Detroit, MI one of the largest populations of minority women in the U.S.
The women (and many men too) marched to support a variety of issues that affect women and to support equality for all people. The primary focus was on issues of sexism, racism, xenophobia, gender equality, and other forms of oppression. There was also some protesting the new president. Many women wore pink knitted “pussy hats,” as a sign of protest against our president who likes to grab women by the pussy.
Even though I was moved to be in a sea of women standing side by side fighting for the same things. I couldn’t help but notice that my black and brown sistahs were not in high attendance, not even a quarter of attendance. Now I do understand why the “feminist” movement was not created for us or by us. The white woman did. But as for babes in activism, White women who just decided that they care about social issues?
The march did initially feel like a repeat of historic missteps white feminists made in the past. On the other hand, I’m tired of Black and Brown women being tasked with fixing White folks’ problems. Black women are usually used as the moral compass of the United States. Many of the White women who attended the march are committed activists. At this point I am not interested in sharing this scared space with those individuals today.
In response to that, organizers of the march said in a statement that ‘‘the Women’s March on Washington was a women-led grass-roots movement that served to bring people of all genders and backgrounds together to take a stand on social justice and human rights issues ranging from race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration and health care.’’ Quite a few of its organizers, are women of color Tamika D. Mallory, Deborah Harris, Janaye Ingram, Carmen Perez, Shishi Rose, Nantasha Williams, Shirley Marie Johnson and Renee Singletary.
But why did I march? I marched because…
I am a woman (even though society sees my color first).
I am a black woman
My great-grandmother had to pick cotton as a child
My grandmother has marched all her life for equal rights
My mother struggled alone to raise three children
My aunt fought to teach me and her daughter not to be another statistic
I am a recipient of all services at Planned Parenthood
It’s my body not the governments
This issue goes far beyond black or white
I am such a nasty woman
I am a woman (even though society sees my color first).
I am a black woman
In closing in the great words of ShiShi Rose, a young black Brooklyn blogger, to our white women allies “now is the time for you to be listening more, talking less.”
Staff Writer; Amber Ogden
One may also view more of her work over at; AmberOgden.com.
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