The Women's March on Washington, D.C. and its sister marches took place today, the day after the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States of America. Hundreds of thousands of women and men marched with signs in big cities across the nation, as well as in other countries, protesting taking away funding from Planned Parenthood, regulations on abortion, and even President Donald Trump himself. As the Washington Post described it, they were marching against "Trump’s divisive campaign and his disparagement of women, minorities and immigrants. In signs and shouts, they mocked what they characterized as Trump’s lewd language and sexist demeanor."

As an American citizen, I support free speech, and I commend the women and men for marching peacefully and causing no harm. However, I don't support the Women's March, or rather, I don't support the issues that are being pressed through the March. Let me explain.

I am not disadvantaged because I am a woman. I live in the United States of America, a free country, where I have any and all opportunities I wish to take advantage of. I do not feel my voice is silenced because I am a woman. In fact, there are 104 women in Congress representing me, as a woman. That's insane progress compared to numbers throughout history. I do not feel that I don’t have control of my body or choices because I am a woman. I choose what I do with my body, who touches it, and how I take care of it. The government, the economy, or "the patriarchy" do not control me, and therefore do not control my body. I do not feel like I am disrespected because I am a woman. Especially as society evolves and changes, I feel that women are becoming increasingly respected. We are starting to see women in higher positions of power, such as CEOs, as well as women running for-- and taking-- political office. We are seeing less sexism in our younger generations of children, as well. Women are respected in the United States, and always will be.

I am a woman. I can make my own choices. I can speak and be listened to. I can vote, which is something a lot of women in foreign countries cannot do. I can work in any position or occupation if I work hard and get the education and have the qualifications needed to do the job. Oh, and I can go to college to get that education-- many women in other countries cannot. I control my body, and I can defend myself. There is nothing stopping me from doing anything I put my mind to except myself. As women in first world countries, we only have ourselves and our doubts holding us back.

I do not blame my problems on government, "the patriarchy", or the male race. I do not blame my circumstances on a political party or the President. Ultimately, God is in control, but my choices lead me to the situations and circumstances I am given. I am not held back in life because of the actions of others.

Quit blaming others and take responsibility for yourself. If you want to speak up about issues you're passionate about, do so. This is the USA and we are blessed to have that privilege. However, do not expect me to take you seriously, wearing nothing but tape on your breasts, screaming curses and swearing, and demonizing men. I will not listen to your signs using crude language, name-calling, and hate. If you have beliefs, speak in a kind manner. Be peaceful, and you will be heard. I'd love to hear your side of the story, peacefully. Do not expect for me to change my beliefs to suit yours, though. We are all open to our own beliefs and ways of living. I respect all viewpoints, even if I don't agree with them. I expect you to do the same, because respect goes both ways.

If you want to get my attention in regards to feminism, then speak on the real injustices and tragedies that affect women in foreign countries that do not that the opportunity to speak out and be heard. In Saudi Arabia, women can’t drive, have no rights and must always have every inch of skin covered. In China and India, baby girls are murdered, simply because they are girls. In Afghanistan, women are not allowed to be educated. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, women are often raped brutally. They’re left HIV and AIDS infected and left to care for themselves and their children, alone. In Mali and Egypt, women cannot escape genital mutilation-- a very painful process. In Guatemala, females faces domestic violence, poverty, rape, and the second-highest rate of HIV/AIDS, right behind sub-Saharan Africa.

And those are only a few examples of true oppression.

So when women get together in The United States and other first-world, privileged countries and state that they don’t have equal rights-- marching in their clean clothes, after having eaten a healthy breakfast, paying to get where they're marching, and taking photos and videos on their smart phones--

This woman does not support it.