My March to an Awakening

After eight years of being told that guns were going to be taken away I am now wondering if there is some wasted fear in some of the angst we see and hear today.    If the guns are still intact maybe the woman’s womb will be too?  Curious about the number of women I know and love that headed to Washington DC, Portland and Seattle for the Women’s March I decided to head to the march here in Richland.  The Tri-Cities is home to about 200,000 with the majority of elected offices filled with Republicans, this area is not known for non-traditional news, entertainment and certainly not social/political thought.  Not that that I think anyone would say they are censored or threatened into silence (some may I suppose…) but the political activism is pretty nonexistent.  So it is with these facts in my head as well as many posts from people I respect on both sides I decided to attend the march, listen to what the speakers had to say as well as the people in the crowd as well.  I donned a pink scarf and I was on my way.

On my drive over I listened to President Trump’s comments at the CIA and decided that there will not be a speech I miss of his…if the crowd I was about to go into believe that President Trump’s intended policies were to take away their political or social rights I want to hear for myself.

As I pull up George Washington Way I could see the crowd already gathering…actually a larger crowd than I expected.  Lots of signs, lots of pink, people (men and women of all ages) all assembled in the cold sunshine of John Day Plaza.  Three speakers, one from the local Democratic Party, two others from Universal Churches (sorry, I am sure there was more said about their resumes but the speaker system wasn’t great).  All three spoke of unity and activism, both key components of hopefully what is wanted on all fronts.   There was also a song but I couldn’t hear even what song they sang.  What I could see and best take in were the signs that many were holding.   Signs that reflected a variety of ideals…global issues, reproductive rights, and yes hatred toward the newly inaugurated President.  Some were comical, some positive, some outlandish (in my eyes) and yes some that were meant to shock and awe but mostly there to educate. 

After the speakers we began to march around the perimeter of John Day Plaza, City of Richland and the police department.  It began to get chilly but as we walked many drivers honked, gave us thumbs up and yes some (thankfully only a few) gave us the bird.  I am sure there were many that were shaking their heads, had conversations in the car and most importantly began to think/question what in the world we all think we were doing!  You see that is why I went…I am beginning to truly question what I am doing, not only as a woman but also as a citizen of the United States.

As a citizen I have not only the right but the responsibility to cherish and participate in the First Amendment, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

You see, not only do I have the responsibility to cherish and participate but also to support the rights of others to do the same.  Freedom of speech covers all of those signs, even the ones that I didn’t agree with.  Freedom of speech covers both the President of the United States’ tweets and speeches he gives.  Freedom of speech covers both the good and the ugly.

I know there have been concerns about some of the protest not being peaceful, I agree some have turned ugly.  But it is with hope in my heart that the message of the protests are not lost by the actions a few.  It only takes a few to destroy the message of many well-intentioned protesters.  Who knows maybe there are some in the crowd today that could have or would have started and promoted violence…thankfully there were no murmurs of that whatsoever!

The last part of the First Amendment is about petitioning the government for a redress of grievances…translated to is the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government, without fear of punishment or reprisals.

This is the most importang part of all of the amendments in my humble opinion.  For if we cannot voice our complaints regarding our government without fear we will be forced to suffer in silence.  Silence that is deafening and can bring about great damage.  Silence allows injustice.  What were the complaints today?  Complaints regarding the possibility of long fought legislative rights and freedoms that women have…why complain now when nothing has occur yet?  I began to wonder until I came to an epiphany…In 1870’s after the Civil War we legislated that all men had the right to vote.   It took only until 1877 to implement Jim Crow laws, in essence removing the right to vote that was enacted.  Then almost 90 years to march, protest and fight for legislation that would not only allow, without restrictions, not only the right to vote but also to allow free and equal education!

We can complain, we should complain but more than anything we should DO something!  Something that when we look back we can be proud of, may not be approved of by our friends and family, but actions that we believe in and can stand by.

I love my country, I love my community but I love the idea of activism even more after today.