After the controversial 2017 presidential election, the division of America has become even more obvious. Approximately half of the country supports our new president while the other half is alarmed by his views on immigrants, minorities, women and non-Christians. Some of President Trump’s more vocal supporters have developed a sense of entitlement and superiority, while those who oppose Trump have rallied together to voice their concerns about our new president and his administration.
All over the country, people from different ages, cultures, races and genders have come together through various protests. The protests began with the Women’s March held Jan. 21, the day after Trump was inaugurated. More than 5 million women and men worldwide came together to march for immigrants, rights within the workplace, the LGBTQIA community, and reproductive and environmental rights. These protests have provided the oppressed and their supporters an outlet to finally stand up and speak out against the policies and mistreatment of themselves and others.
A Day Without A Woman was organized by the Women’s March organizers. March 8, women across the country were encouraged to wear red (to represent revolutionary love and sacrifice), refrain from shopping from stores that are not owned by women or minorities, and take the day off from work paid and unpaid.
The goal of the strike was to call attention to the socioeconomic value of women within the community and also to demand equality within the workforce as well as the community.
A Day Without a Woman is a part of a long-term strategic plan developed by the Women’s March organizers. The overall intended outcome of the womenmarch.org is to end gender violence, protect reproductive freedom, preserve the environment and natural resources, secure equal pay for equal work, guarantee a $15 minimum wage and paid family sick leave, and to create a social system that works for all communities.
As a minority American woman, I definitely support the cause. I believe that the strikes and marches have created a united front amongst not only women but all Americans in the country who do not necessarily agree with the new administration.
I know we’ve come a long way as women, but we’ve got a little further to go. We were given the right to vote in 1920; I think it’s a little ridiculous that almost 100 years later, we are still fighting for equality within the workplace, the end of gender violence, reproductive freedom and so much more. The government should absolutely not have a say on whether we bring a life into this world or not. It is our bodies, so it is our choice, not the government’s.
With Trump’s rise to power, a lot of Americans who once hid their racist and hateful demeanor now feel comfortable and entitled to voicing and acting upon their beliefs. This has generated fear within a lot of minority communities. I believe that the presence of these protests has aided in easing that fear; giving people the courage to speak out against injustice and knowledge that they have an entire community of supporters standing behind them.
A Day Without A Woman took place on International Women’s Day. Although the strike did not have the same impact of the Women’s March on Jan. 21, there are still some heroes that should not go unnoticed. I tip my hat to the 300 employees in Alexandria, Virginia, who took the day off; forcing schools in the area to close down for the day. I also raise a glass to any other women in the country, courageous enough to have taken off with the risk of unemployment.
Although I supported the strike, I was up bright and early for work March 8. I, as well as a lot of working women around the country, did not have the luxury of taking time off from work without pay. So, I did what I could. I supported my local minority-owned businesses while wearing red. Even though I was not out marching with those courageous women, the little that I did make me feel proud to be a woman.
I believe that with continued efforts and protest, change will eventually come. We just have to continue to embrace the beauty in those unlike ourselves and see each other as equals.
We represent more than half of the population, and we are responsible for bringing the other half into this world. We are literally responsible for bringing all 45 of these wonderful country’s leaders into this world. It is time for our gender to get the recognition we deserve and for everyone to recognize that women’s rights are human rights.
Powerful article. Succinct and to the point, but very informative as well. Great job!