There's a big happening this weekend; and I am not referring to the inauguration, but to the day after. Arriving from all parts of the country, women will converge on Washington DC and raise an angry fist to the incoming and current government. The Women's March on Washington plans to send a message of solidarity to our elected officials. We intend to be heard. We intend to remind them that we will not stand by and watch our civil rights be eroded. We will unite in our expectation that our government protect its citizens, all of its citizens, all of its men, women and children. We will demand better of them. And I plan to be there.
I did not make this decision lightly. This March will be no picnic. I am not comfortable in crowds, and I usually plan my events to avoid them. I have very bad knees. They buckle on me, and they ache. My back hurts. I have crappy balance. And I'm short so I take really small steps. I feel like I may have to run the course of the March trying to keep up with some of my sister marchers, many of whom are far closer to six feet than five. (And we all know that won't be happening.) My bladder worries me. When I have to go, I HAVE to go. Yea, yea I know how that female astronaut traveled cross country to attack her nemesis, gross.... My bladder is about as sturdy as a deflated dollar store balloon. Yet, I will march because I think it is the right thing to do.
Already Congress is voting to repeal the ACA. They are absolutely gleeful as they perform this Obama exorcism. But, they have no replacement, no fix, no suggestions at the ready. Thousands (if not more) of Americans will be left with no health insurance. But who will not be left holding an empty enema bag....our Congress! They have the Cadillac of plans. Forever. This is wrong! This is dangerous! And the public needs to inform Congress that we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore. Our elected Congress has made it difficult to get the message to them. A Republican congressman from Colorado actually snuck out the backdoor of a town meeting regarding the loss of health care benefits because he'd just had enough. Paul Ryan has shut down his official telephone and email so he doesn't have to hear Americans complain. He has slammed his office door to personal visitors armed with petitions and documents protesting the loss of health care. Who is he to do that? These elitists were elected to act in the best interests of their constituents, not their lobbyists, and certainly not their buddy party members. Who better to remind them of their obligations than angry women?
For that reason and many more, I choose to March on Washington and be heard.
But, I'm more than a little bit afraid. It seems like any time Americans gather in huge groups, they are at risk of attack. Since our president-elect has chosen his inauguration day to be the day the DC head of the National Guard gets the "You're Fired!" treatment, DC security will be weakened. What will that mean for the safety of the marchers in Washington? Where are the statements from America's elected president promising the marchers that they will be protected? We've seen the attacks - in Boston, Florida, and so on and so on. This gathering of women, unofficially disdained by President he-who-shall-not-be-named, is the perfect target for an attack. I can only hope and pray the worst doesn't happen.
Because I plan to March on Washington. Because I want to come home to my friends, my family, and my dog to watch our country answer the call of its citizens. Because as Rosie the Riveter said, "We can do it!"
