My experience of the 2017 Women’s March on Washington through photos
I made a last minute decision to attend the Women’s March on Washington last weekend. One of my longtime “mom friends” (we met when our babies were 6 or 7 weeks old) reached out to ask if I wanted to go, and she offered to organize everything from hotel room to bus tickets and our awesome clear backpacks! It was such an honor to march alongside her and another friend.
The march was an amazing antidote to the grief and trauma and depression I’ve been feeling. I wasn’t expecting that.
I’m aware of the controversy surrounding the march and POC inclusion. I’d had mixed feelings about the march in part because of this. It’s important to listen to the POC voices expressing hurt and anger. Why I’m Skipping The Women’s March on Washington is a good place to start. Some still marched, some didn’t, but to place blame for being divisive is, in my opinion, hypocritical. It’s not ok. A first step is to listen, validate and amplify those voices and I think that can be done while still feeling glad you marched and/or inspired by those that did.
My observation is that while in the end the speakers, speeches, platform, and leadership were diverse and intersectional, and while people of all backgrounds were represented in the crowd, and while the crowd seemed warm and friendly and welcoming to all, the crowd was predominantly white. I set out to look for POC in the crowd to photograph, and they were there but definitely very much a minority. There were more white men than POC.
I’m not white but I’m not black. This was my first march. I’m aware of my privilege. I’m going to try to learn more, listen, and do better.
At the same time, I marched because in a world that wants and expects and demands me to be silent, I am working on speaking up.
I marched for my husband and two boys, aged 7 and 5 — because when the world is better for women, it is better for men too.
I marched for my parents, who defied stereotypes and worked their entire lives to create a better childhood and future for my sister and me.
I marched for my sister, and for all the amazing people in my life and in the world who fight every day for what they believe in and for a better world.
And I marched for everything outlined in the Women’s March Unity Principles. My sign read “HEAR OUR VOICE” and also “WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS” and “BLACK LIVES MATTER” (as well as a lot of other things in smaller writing).
The revolution did not start yesterday. I am grateful to all those who marched before. And aware that the march must be followed with continued and organized action. You can start here.
I wasn’t sure about bringing my DSLR — I’d read warnings to only carry things with you that you didn’t mind losing etc. but I’m so glad I did. As always, it helped me to stay present and grounded, and gave me a means for processing the experience and telling my story of it.
These photos represent the moments that captured my attention and emotions of the day, and represent my experience of the march as peaceful, and filled with joy, love, compassion, empathy, passion, inspiration, hope and commitment.
