The Women’s March on Washington rallied a whomping 470,000 participants in DC, which is “3 times as many people as Trump’s Inauguration.” The march drew millions of people worldwide. However, the organization behind the March has another protest up their sleeve. On March 8, International Women’s Day, “women and our allies will act together for equity, justice and the human rights of women and all gender-oppressed people, through a one-day demonstration of economic solidarity.” March 8th is a day where women emphasize their impact on society: we are not the oppressed, we are not the abused and we are not to be looked down upon. Though this demonstration was planned in October of 2016, before Trump became president, his demeaning and condescending statements about women surely impacted the determination women feel to be a part of this demonstration.
“I am tired of carrying around pepper spray and looking both ways in a parking lot.”
Donald Trump has insulted and belittled women throughout countless of interviews: from calling them “great pieces of a**,” to sexualizing his daughters, to even declaring he cannot resist the urge to “grab a woman by the pu**y.” This type of speech can only fuel rape culture. The fact that our president of the United States has alleged rape and abuse charges against him and approves of the objectification of women is terrifying. I am tired of carrying around pepper spray and looking both ways in a parking lot. I am tired of fearing that the little actions I do could get me raped or killed, as if it’s my own fault. I would love to live in an America where women can walk without the company of a group or a man in order to feel safe. Where rapists don’t get out of jail after a mere 3 months (Brock Turner, I’m talking to you). An America where our president cared just as much about women and our safety as he does for the safety of his own family. (Fun fact: millions of your tax dollars are being used to pay for Melania’s N.Y.C. secret service security!)
Yet, despite this, Mr. Trump, women will not allow you to categorize and underestimate us. WE are more than your words. WE are more than your stereotypes. We are not objects, not housewives and we will not stand for you any longer. WE ARE HERE and we impact your precious economy that you will surely ruin by the end of your term.
Here’s how you can help:
- Take the day off from paid and unpaid work!
- Do not purchase anything to demonstrate just how much women impact this economy. Tip: If you need to buy essentials like gas, milk or water, please make sure to do so the day before!
- Wear red to show that you are part of the movement – and girl, you know you look fierce in red!
- Join/organize a protest!
- And most importantly: spread this like wildfire. Tell your mom, your co-workers, your neighbors! Tweet about it, snap about it, make art about it! This is not only our moment to prove to Donald Trump just how important we are – but to also show the next generation of women that they should always stand up for what they believe in.
This is just the beginning. We still have much work to do before we have equal rights to men. And we can achieve it. Just like those brave women who protested their rights to vote nearly 100 years ago. We have come far, but we still have far to go.
However, Trump does not discourage me. Donald Trump may be president, but his misogynist figure can only fuel us to fight against him and prove that girls run the world.
