Dear Matt Walsh, My March Matters | The Odyssey Online
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Politics and Activism

Dear Matt Walsh, My March Matters

Because degrading women is never right.

39
Dear Matt Walsh, My March Matters
New York Times

There are few things more insulting than anti-feminist rants.

Debate about the Dakota Access Pipeline, detail your beliefs on the Election, or post about yourself at a campaign, fine by me, but to outright question the "advocacy of women's rights on the basis of equality of the sexes" is abominable (Dictionary.com).

We live in a world of conflicting views and of various platforms that allow people to share, discuss and rally.

And yet people like you take advantage of this opportunity to not only share but demean those around you. Nobody is asking you to wear a vagina hat and march in Washington DC. Nobody is forcing you to have an abortion. These women have CHOSEN to spend their weekend marching in not only Washington DC but all seven continents. This March is by CHOICE; their costumes by CHOICE, and yet you feel the need to reprimand them for exercising their freedoms.

You know something about freedoms don't you? You exercised the freedom of speech and press. It is the First Amendment that allows you to publish articles like your anti-Women's March piece. And it is this same amendment that brought these women to passionately storm the White House last week.

I understand you feel our society has portrayed your gender in a negative light, but up until 1920 our gender was silenced. Since the founding of this great Nation the educated, white male has been privileged. While we have come a long way since 1776, especially since 1920, inequality is NOT a part of our "feminist mythology." How so, you ask. The Institute for Women's Policy Research found in their annual report in 2015 that:

  • In just about every state in the country, Millennial women are more likely than Millennial men to have a college degree, yet Millennial women also have higher poverty rates and lower earnings than Millennial men.
  • Although more women are receiving high school diplomas and completing college than ever before, a considerable proportion of women either do not graduate high school or finish their education with only a high school diploma.
  • By the time a college-educated woman turns 59, she will have lost almost $800,000 throughout her life due to the gender wage gap.
      -(Huffington Post)

    In 2015 a women made 80 cents to a man's dollar, designating a 20% wage gap. And yet you say the "wage gap is a fabrication"...

    We deem ourselves a 'progressive nation' yet we lag behind international competitors when it comes to women's representation in politics. Germany, Bangladesh, Liberia, Israel, and Britain are just a few female leaders who have graced the world with their jobs.

    Now let's discuss your rather lengthy sections regarding abortion and genitals. To be exact your quote: "Feminists, as you’ve noticed, are rather obsessed with genitals. That’s why they can’t get together for any kind of event without half of them showing up dressed as their own reproductive organs" (Matt Walsh). I will not even begin to embark on the broad generalization you made regarding a group of people who are not all vagina hat wearers, not all pro-choice and not even all WOMEN. Sadly, it often takes explicit messages or extreme measures to be heard. Those "vagina hats" you degraded got the conversation rolling. It raised eyebrows, turned heads and sparked debate which inevitably sends a message.

    WE ARE HERE, AND WE DESERVE TO BE HEARD.

    While I do not intend to inflict my stance on abortion upon you, because I can see it from both sides, I do want to tackle quote of yours: your interpretation of "'get out of their uterus.'"

    You, of course, saw this as a literal statement, arguing that the government "has never and will never" be in women's uteruses. But making legislative decisions regarding abortion is intruding a women's body. Counteracting Planned Parenthood is making the decision for them. Does the law tell you what to do with your body?

    Nevertheless neither women's rights nor feminists bar pro-life members from fighting for equality. While the March was intended to be a pro-choice group, because Trump is discussing undoing abortion standards and Planned Parenting funding is in danger, the March was open to all. Unfortunately, for pro-lifers, it was on the 44th anniversary of Rowe v. Wade, further solidifying its pro-choice push. This has been a slippery slope for feminists, but there is no need to call those that condone abortion "murderers."

    Last week women from all seven continents marched not just to protest our President, but to have their voices heard. Why does My March Matter, Matt Walsh? Is it because I want to parade down city streets to steal your spotlight or to force our President to face the reality at hand? We are scared. But instead of vulnerability we have chosen power. Until Donald Trump proves us wrong, I will continue to march.

    THIS is why My March Matters.


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