Going To A Women's March Doesn't Make You An Activist | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Going To A Women's March Doesn't Make You An Activist

Keeping White Feminism from overshadowing the movement

427
Going To A Women's March Doesn't Make You An Activist
Madison.com

Ladies, particularly my white ladies, we need to talk.

Power to you all if you attended a Women's March in your state or city this past weekend. It is a beautiful experience and I have enjoyed the past two years I've spent at the marches, both in Philadelphia and D.C. There's nothing like the sea of witty signs, pink pussy hats and outrageously dressed people that captures a city for the day.

However, just because you went to the Women's March does not make you an activist. Let me say that again: attending a Women's March does not an activist make.

Why not?

While attending a march, a rally etc. is fun and exciting, it is a movement, it is not action. The Women's March serves as a call to action, a demonstration of the power of numbers, and gives people around the world an opportunity to share their voice. However, it does not bring about direct change: it inspires it. What you do after you march is what matters.

So, if you marched this weekend, turn the inspiration you saw on the streets into change in your own community. Run for office, volunteer, call your senator/representative, look for ways to change the way your local schools teach about sexual education, support local businesses that are owned and run by women, work with your congregation to supply women and children in poverty with clothes, food etc.

Bottom line: what are YOU going to do to make a CHANGE? Don't depend on someone else to do the work for you, if you want freedom, liberty, equality, YOU need to do something to get it.

Now, here's where my white sisters come in. It is easy for us to march, to fight for causes that affect us personally. As a white, cis-gender, bisexual woman, I keep my identities in mind when I advocate for something, because it's personal. But, movements such as the Women's March are INTERSECTIONAL. The march is to fight for and inspire EVERY woman disenfranchised by our government and society. That means women of color, women who are differently abled, trans women, etc. It is important we are reminded of this, as we white women may have one strike against us for being female but our fellow sisters may have two, three or four depending on their own individual experience.

We do not experience oppression the same way, so when you go out to make a difference, make it for yourself, but also make it for your sister to your left and to your right too, no matter who they are.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

14130
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2796
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1686
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments