First, photo credits go to the Washington post, the New York Times, and CNN.
Marching on Washington, marching on Boston, marching on Atlanta, marching on. These marches echoed around the world.
To me, these are no longer protests against Trump, they represent the people that feel vulnerable to the ideals he has promised to bring forth. They fear not being heard. They are not the elite, they have never occupied the proverbial swamp. They are simply citizens of the planet wanting the powers that be to hear them. They march for a multitude of causes, women's rights, LGBTQ rights, healthcare in general, immigration, and the list goes on.
The new president has made promises to give the country back to the people. My hope of hopes is that he means all people, and not just the ones he deems important.
I hope he turns out to be everything he promised his voters he will be, and I hope he can do so without hurting those who didn't. I hope he can get past crowd sizes and tv ratings. I hope he represents and leads our neighbours to the South to greater heights than even his staunchest supporters can imagine.
I hope he becomes adept at seeing past tweets, headlines and ratings, no longer giving in to the distractions that seem to, up to this point, so easily command his attention, in turn, keeping him from what he has promised to do.
No leader of any country is perfect, but, and maybe this is the eternal optimist in me, I believe the majority of them run for the office with the intent to do their best to improve the lives of their fellow citizens. Not everyone will agree on the path that takes and what the landscape may look like along the way, and that is exactly as it should be. We should not be sheep.
On his first full day, the actions of this new president kind of make me shake my head a bit. Again, I'm puzzled by the subjects on which he chose to focus his attention. It will be very interesting to observe how the next four years play out down there.
March for, march on, march through, march beyond the anger, and let's get to the good stuff. The inclusive acceptance of all people, making sure all people have the fundamental right to be in charge of their own bodies, and everything that encompasses. The fundamental right of consenting adults to be married. The fundamental right to not be judged by the colour of our skin, our beliefs, our different abilities, the size of our dress or amount of money in our bank account.
These rights should know no borders. I look forward to the day when all of these become so commonplace that they are simply accepted as a worldwide given.
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This week was busy with phone calls, emails and all things that help keep our business organized. Still from home, but still doing everything I can to be some kind of help to my hubby.
I also had the honour and privilege of visiting yet another great school. I know I have said it a million times, but kids are awesome. I was blown away by the effort put forth by an incredible grade 2 class who wrote and read to me their own version of "A Crazy Day," illustrations and all! They, then, gave me a copy as a gift!
Like I said, awesome!
As for the upcoming days, work, some writing, and another school visit!
That about does it for another week, until next time............
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May all need for protests and marches seize to exist, leaving all with nothing to do but cheer.
May all those who are vulnerable feel safe, those who feel any threat, no longer carry fear.
May the important things take precedence, education, poverty, healthcare, not who or how many people see.
May lifting up every citizen become the only goal, not allowing distractions, lessening the "I", encompassing the "we."
May the gravity of the office you now hold help ground you, giving you empathy for those with whom you have little to nothing in common.
May you become the leader your voters believe you to be, speaking fact, letting logic dictate decisions, leading above any and all drama.
Until next time..............
www.margyreidbooks.com
Thank you so much for supporting this march. History tells us that such activities brought about great change. Women can now vote, own property, manage their own money, attend schools and universities and engage in trades and professions that were unheard of even 50 years ago. We cannot be fired for getting married or getting pregnant. Not so very long ago, a woman in Saskatchewan could not enter a bar for a drink.
ReplyDeleteWe can access family planning, control over our own bodies and a multitude of other things due to the efforts and the marches of those who came before us.
These days, we also must keep in mind that it is not only women, but all human beings that should have the right to enjoy life as they see fit. Marry those we love. Understand our gender and live out lives as the person we want to be. Religion, colour, ethnicity are all factors in equality and to have what rights we have threatened is just WRONG.
Those who believe that such marches are foolish or ill advised need to look at history and understand how far we have come and how much farther we have to go. We need to honour those who marched before us and continue to fight for what is right for all people regardless of who they are and where they are. It is no longer just women's rights, they are HUMAN rights.
Sexist, racist, prejudiced people need to be confronted by peaceful tolerant protest. As women, we need to be aware of our power and use it for the betterment of the world. We have changed life in the past and we can do it again.
I am proud to have been around in the 60's and 70's and benefitted from what came before. I want a better world for our children no matter what or who they are or where they come from.
March on proudly. Make all the noise you can. Each generation brings a small bit of progress. We need to build on this and not allow it to be eroded by small minds.
Joan McK