Why the women’s march is so important now more than ever

I was walking down the streets of Center City, the climate and scene was different on this particular day. As I walked, I felt a connection with the strangers beside me. For once, I was not afraid to bring up politics because everyone had the same energy as me; we were all fed up with injustices that we witness every day.

For me personally, the Women’s March in Philadelphia is such a great experience and it’s something I continue to look forward to every year. My roommates and I went to our first march last year in 2018 and plan to continue to go every year because it was just that uplifting.

The atmosphere of Center City was just profound. As someone who always walks downtown, it was nice to not get cat-called for once. I enjoyed getting compliments on my poster instead of my outfit choice. Walking down the Philadelphia Parkway at 11 a.m. on a Saturday in January with a crowd of thousands of strangers was the most empowered I’ve ever felt.

Seeing women and men just walking together with all the same mindset made me believe that there is still hope in this world. I have seen my fair share of hate, ignorance and disrespect and for just one day, I did not feel that.

I did not feel like a minority.

I did not feel objectified.

I did not feel like I was in danger because of my sex.

I felt superior.

Now more than ever, women need to have this feeling like I did. It is hard in this day because of everything that is happening. When you read and watch the news and see the way we (women) are talked down to including by other women, deemed incredulous for allegations and have laws put in place to discourage us, I know it just makes me want to curl up in a ball.

According to AmericanProgress.org, there have been laws put into place that have undermined women’s legal rights, attack women’s reproductive rights, weakens protections against gender-based violence, threatens the LGBTQ community as well as women of color and undermine women’s leadership. All of this occurred in no more than 100 days after Trump’s presidency.

The women’s march is truly so important and I cannot stress that enough. With everyone turning on each other,

violence against women and just political injustices in general, this march is so much more than just a stroll down the parkway.

For me, the march takes a stand for all minorities, not just women. People who make and bring signs are standing up and demanding justice for immigrants and refugees, the LGBTQ community and people of color. Nothing goes unnoticed because we are all marching for a purpose and I think that is the most beautiful thing ever.

I looked around at everyone’s sign and I realized that everyone who is marching has a story, a purpose, and a motivation behind it. The commonality is that we are all unsatisfied with something in this world and we want some sort of change to happen.

However, with all of this negativity comes positivity. Although we are not as far as we should be when it comes to social justice, which is why we march, women have been making astonishing moves in politics. I am still in awe at all the progress that has happened and the more to come.

I believe that all of the progress and effort that has been made, there can be groundbreaking changes that will benefit everyone and hopefully one day, we won’t need to march and protest anymore.