Women’s March on Washington: Rachel’s Experience

A dear friend of mine posted an outreach for perspective on Facebook:

“If you marched today, what did you march for? I’m gathering there were lots of different reasons and I’m curious about the breadth of them.”

I saw so many replies, some similar to my own, and some different. After a lot of reflection, here is what I wrote in response:

“One of the best signs I saw at the March in Washington was this “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” ~ Dr. Angela Davis.

I can no longer stand by and pretend that everything happening is normal. I can no longer watch decency, kindness, and respectful dialogue corrode. And I, like Clare, marched to engage in our beautiful democracy and to be part of the solution I believe in.”

From the moment we arrived at the exquisitely overcrowded Metro station, I knew we were about to be part of something momentous. All day long I connected with so people of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds. I met people from North and South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Colorado, Washington, Illinois…and that was just in our very intimate train ride into DC. We discussed our frustrations, our gratitude for living in a country where we could voice our opinions of dissent, and the palpable energy in the air all day long. Everyone knew they were part of something bigger than themselves and were ready for it.

I saw more signs than I could count, and those that I appreciated most brought a message of unity, peace, and solidarity. Some literally said “solidarity”. The most powerful of all were those with messages of awakening, reminding us that we can no longer stand by or remain silent when anyone is left in shackles or threatened to be put back in them. So many times throughout the day I tried to take a mental image, to breathe in deeply in an attempt to grasp the gravity of what was beginning.

On the way home, my conversation with a tearful mother from Chicago (who rode 13 hours overnight on a crowded bus to be there) was the most eloquent capstone I could have asked for. She was teary eyed because her daughter had texted her during the march to tell her how proud she was of her. Our connection helped me appreciate more deeply why so many women, and men, were there – for each other. Whether that “other” was their daughter (current or future), friend, co-worker, or one of the countless women and men who are unable to speak for themselves; we were there in solidarity. And this mother’s vow to continue to take democratic action when she returns home reminded me that this event was only the beginning. As soon as I got home, my social media feeds, like that of many others, were flooded with photos and stories and sentiments. And the most prolific piece of the most poignant article I read said this:

“In the midst of sharing Facebook photos, war stories about rain gear and snacks and extra layers, the most important step attendees can take is to determine what in their daily lives they will do to stand up to bigotry or sexism, to help encourage a candidate to get in the race, make an action plan for the year to engage in an issue or local race, defend a friend or co-worker or even run for office. And we are going to have to get a little bit uncomfortable in our daily lives to do that by making time, by thinking hard about what we care about, by speaking up even when it isn’t easy.

The march shouldn’t be a moment to rest and celebrate. It should be a warm up.”

“It is beautifully difficult to remember who we really are. But we help each other every time we fill the cup of truth and hold each other up after drinking form it.” ~ Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening