The Women’s March on Washington is already one of the most anticipated events of 2017. Regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disabilities, and socio-economic class, women are uniting to form one central message: we are stronger together than apart. Donald Trump, our sadistic President, has insulted countless demographics, including women, immigrants, Muslims, Hispanics, people with disabilities, and more. As such, it’s important for people who do not fit into several or one of these categories to learn how exactly they can be an ally — particularly, at the Women’s March.
- Listen. Listening, despite a rather simple concept, is one of the largest issues that allies face. Listen to us voice our concerns and our struggles. We fought before, but now our fight seems longer than ever. Pick up your sword, your shield and more importantly, your words. Let’s take a first step to end this battle, together.
- Educate. More importantly, educate yourself. Oppression is constant. Your education should be too. Learn about our issues from credible sources and use that information to further educate the masses. We are not obliged to educate you. When we entered this world, no one enlightened us on our oppression. We learned through experience — from the calling of racial slurs to the alarming politics that called for our extinction.
- Privilege. Use your privilege to assist. Granted, misogynists, racists, ableists, and Islamophobes will not listen to any one from those oppressed groups with clear reason. They already deem us as less than human, meaning they will gladly disregard our thoughts and emotions while simultaneously writing us off as “illogical”. They will listen to someone who looks like them – they will see you as one of them. Focus on those who share your identity – engage in conversations about issues that are perpetuated by your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and more.
“As a man, I have a specific responsibility to engage men in building a more positive masculinity and standing up to misogyny and sexism. As a white person, I have a responsibility to stand up to racism and work to bring White people into the anti-racist conversation in a way they can hear and access. As an able-bodies person, I have a responsibility to call out examples of everyday ableism. ” – Jamie Utt
- Welcome change. Allies — as someone who will never experience the kind of oppression that the people they’re supporting face — you will make mistakes. Listen, apologize, be accountable of your actions, and act differently going forward. If you are a true ally, you will recognize your mistake, the magnitude of it and will work towards your internalized biases and messages.
The Women’s March will be one of the largest and unified demonstrations in American history. This is your country, just as much as mine. As such, we cannot sit by and allow for the further normalization, the further tolerance for racism, homophobia, misogyny, ableism, and Islamophobia. I hope you all will march with us on our path to justice and history. Continue to fight for what is right and I will continue to fight right along with you all. Stay rebellious, always.
This is your favorite terrorist, signing off.
