I Got Here as Fast as I Could

I wrote this more than a week ago. Then decided it was whiny and I didn't need to post it. But it keeps coming up, so I'm posting about it. Obviously, this is my opinion, because it's my blog, and everything I say here represents me.

The Women's March has become this shockingly divisive event, and I'm really baffled by that. I marched here in Denver, and it was a totally positive experience. I loved seeing people of all ages, genders, and races gather together. There was definitely some anti-Trump sentiment, but a lot of pro signs as well. Pro-equality, pro-kindness, pro-education. Pro-liberty and justice for all. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of unity and reassurance that there are still people in the world who are willing to speak out against injustice, and I felt comforted knowing I'm not alone in my concern for the future of our country.

As for those who didn't march, that is their prerogative. No one should do something they're not comfortable doing. And I get that the Washington organizers probably alienated some anti-choice people by removing an anti-choice group as a sponsor. But the vision statement for the Denver march was "We are all relevant, we are all valued, and we are more powerful together." There were signs there I didn't personally agree with, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the day. It's unfortunate that others didn't feel like they could bring their differing opinions and still participate.

For those who felt the marchers don't know how good they have it and shouldn't be complaining (like Christy from Facebook): inequality is inequality, friends. Just because things aren't "as bad" in the U.S. doesn't mean that inequality is acceptable. And wanting better for ourselves doesn't mean we don't also want better for others. Yes, getting paid less than a man to do the same job is not as horrific as women being tortured for showing skin or disobeying their husbands, but that doesn't mean it's OK, either. 

The first two I can just brush off. But for the women of color who feel that white women are late to the party and cannot be trusted (see here and here, and also this): I have so many feelings about this. The first thing that comes to mind is bumper stickers. In Colorado, stickers that say "NATIVE" on the Colorado license plate backdrop are quite popular. But there's a newer sticker that says "Not a native, but I got here as fast as I could." Yes, it's true, I've never gotten involved in the past. I wasn't promoting injustice, but I wasn't working to stop it, either. But I'm here now, and I want to help. And it's disheartening to be told that I'm not doing it right, or that my involvement is somehow disrespectful to those who've been working at it for a while. Everyone is on their own journey, and we arrive at places in our own time.

I also take issue with the fact that white women as a whole are the problem. The women taking selfies in their pussyhats aren't my tribe. I'm fairly anti-selfie. I didn't really feel like the march was about me -- it was about coming together and standing up for our rights. So maybe I'm not one of "those" white women, and I resent being grouped in with them. On the other hand, I don't want to let that criticism deter me. I'm not going to stop showing up. I'm willing to listen and learn, and I want to do what I can to move America forward. Maybe I'll step further outside my comfort zone and be one of those nice white ladies at the next Black Lives Matter march.