I was a white woman of the 60s and was taught by my mother that I could do anything a man could do. I marched in DC against the Vietnam War closing down Route 1 and hid in the dark when there were police helicopters lights overhead trying to jail kids who were breaking curfew. I was in a house on U of Md campus when the Baltimore riot police in gas masks, billy clubs, and shields marched in formation down our street and then stormed our house breaking in the door and windows. I lived before and after abortion was legal knowing women who had horrible back alley illegal abortions. I live before and after the Pill liberating women from unwanted pregnancy. I don't ever want any man or woman telling me what I can do with my body! It is mine!! I have achieved a post-doctoral education and a high income level several times beyond my two husbands. I have lived with old white man power my whole life and know they will not give up this power, ever. My only hope is that Trump will fail so miserably that, like Nixon, he will have to resign or be impeached and removed. He is a disgrace to our democracy. This election is the fruit of Citizens United where Betsy DeVos and her husband can give $200 million to Trump's campaign and then she is nominated to be Secretary of Education. Unbelievably stupid and corrupt! Follow the money. It is in the hands of old white males in our culture. Money talks loudly. Hang in there for hopefully less than 4 years!
33
I marched with my three daughters, my granddaughter and my niece because I wanted to present visible testimony that there are a lot of people who do not approve of the themes in Donald Trump’s campaign. It did feel good to be in the company of so many other like-minded people, but the gathering in Washington and so many other cities represents only the beginning.
By coming together we are beginning to build a sense of community and of urgency to bring change to our nation. It’s not negative change regressing to the fears and prejudices of an earlier time, but positive change celebrating diversity and opposing inequality and loss of opportunity.
By coming together we are beginning to build a sense of community and of urgency to bring change to our nation. It’s not negative change regressing to the fears and prejudices of an earlier time, but positive change celebrating diversity and opposing inequality and loss of opportunity.
15
You know what I was proud of, all the Trans Lives Matter signs I saw.
As a transgender woman, I am always afraid of hardcore feminists, especially second wave feminists. A lot of them believed that transgender woman were just men trying to invade and undermine cis-women. An example of this is Womyn for Womyn, they are a second wave feminist group that doesnt accept transgender women, and actually bars them for events.
I didnt march because I was afriad Id be torn down by a feminist, and the one thing I crave more than anything else is acceptance from other women. When a woman says something mean to me, it hurts 20 times more then if a man said the same thing.
I regret not going. It saw so much acceptance that transgender rights are part of womens rights. So many trans-rights signs. I feel like feminisn may have finally left trans-hatred behind.
To my fellow women, I am sorry I was not there. I let my fear overwhelm my sense of duty, but after seeing this march I realize I have nothing to fear. I will be there with you in the future. I promise. Thank you for having the courage to march. We are strong together.
As a transgender woman, I am always afraid of hardcore feminists, especially second wave feminists. A lot of them believed that transgender woman were just men trying to invade and undermine cis-women. An example of this is Womyn for Womyn, they are a second wave feminist group that doesnt accept transgender women, and actually bars them for events.
I didnt march because I was afriad Id be torn down by a feminist, and the one thing I crave more than anything else is acceptance from other women. When a woman says something mean to me, it hurts 20 times more then if a man said the same thing.
I regret not going. It saw so much acceptance that transgender rights are part of womens rights. So many trans-rights signs. I feel like feminisn may have finally left trans-hatred behind.
To my fellow women, I am sorry I was not there. I let my fear overwhelm my sense of duty, but after seeing this march I realize I have nothing to fear. I will be there with you in the future. I promise. Thank you for having the courage to march. We are strong together.
25
I have empathy for the millions of Hillary supporters that were told (repeatedly) by the MSM that she was going to win easily. DIdn't HuffPost predict something ridiculous like 99.6%? I get it must have been a shock to watch it unfold live and probably still perceive the current state of things as some sort of alternative reality.
What I can't understand is when the author states, "Watching our new president take his oath of office, it felt to me that misogyny won". I believe over 42 million women voted for Trump. Assuming EVERY male that voted was a sexist pig, that still leaves A LOT of women. According the news outlets, a lot of women cast their vote against Hillary vs for Trump. Wow.
I can't help but thing the entire point of this article is summed up in this one sentence at the end "she most likely won’t live to see a woman hold our country’s highest office".
Hillary, the best chance for a woman president, lost. She lost badly to a 2 time divorcee who loves the spotlight and speaks without thinking (most of the time) Is this the end of the world? No. Will Trump live up to the hype? Who knows. What I do know is that the women in my life; my wife, the women I work for/with, my family and friends are smart, compassionate and just as worthy to hold the highest level of office. I will vote for "her" one day in the future, but not today.
What I can't understand is when the author states, "Watching our new president take his oath of office, it felt to me that misogyny won". I believe over 42 million women voted for Trump. Assuming EVERY male that voted was a sexist pig, that still leaves A LOT of women. According the news outlets, a lot of women cast their vote against Hillary vs for Trump. Wow.
I can't help but thing the entire point of this article is summed up in this one sentence at the end "she most likely won’t live to see a woman hold our country’s highest office".
Hillary, the best chance for a woman president, lost. She lost badly to a 2 time divorcee who loves the spotlight and speaks without thinking (most of the time) Is this the end of the world? No. Will Trump live up to the hype? Who knows. What I do know is that the women in my life; my wife, the women I work for/with, my family and friends are smart, compassionate and just as worthy to hold the highest level of office. I will vote for "her" one day in the future, but not today.
17
So, the modern feminist is dependent on a man with a stable, high paying job to support her as she does poorly compensated work, some might call it volunteer work, in her community and raises the kids? That sounds like the pre-feminist 1950s middle class suburbs I grew up in. But Trump and Republicans are at fault?
16
To summarize:
A woman working at a 'reputable non-profit' is married to 'a political appointee in the Obama administration' who is now unemployed. And she is marching, why? Oh yes, because the "...dread of Donald J. Trump woke her up to the reality that progress is never permanent, or certain."
In other words, her well educated family thrived at the DC political trough that existed under a Democratic administration and now faces an uncertain future. As Trump stated in his inaugural address:
"For too long, a small group in our nation's Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished -- but the people did not share in its wealth."
Welcome to the real world Ms. Gutting.
A woman working at a 'reputable non-profit' is married to 'a political appointee in the Obama administration' who is now unemployed. And she is marching, why? Oh yes, because the "...dread of Donald J. Trump woke her up to the reality that progress is never permanent, or certain."
In other words, her well educated family thrived at the DC political trough that existed under a Democratic administration and now faces an uncertain future. As Trump stated in his inaugural address:
"For too long, a small group in our nation's Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished -- but the people did not share in its wealth."
Welcome to the real world Ms. Gutting.
22
So many remarkable points in this columna and the comments.
A white woman with a masters degree, married to a lawyer who was a presidential political appointee -- in other words on of the most privileged people on earth -- feels oppressed to the point that she invokes the black civil rights movement? Simply because (a) she freely chose a less-than-lucrative masters degree, (b) her politically-connected lawyer spouse is temporarily unemployed, and (c) a vulgar man whose name isn't Lyndon Johnson was elected president? Please.
A majority of white women voted against a deeply flawed, corrupt, molester-enabler, whose principal selling point was her gender, and they somehow voted against their "group interest"? Is gender really all we are? Such Marxist-lite identity politics are simply beyond parody.
It's as if the authors of this article and half the comments were undercover Trump operatives on a mission to reinforce the very tropes that have resulted in the Democrats losing 1000 federal and state elections over the past 8 years, culminating with the presidency.
If you want more Trump, this is how you get more Trump.
A white woman with a masters degree, married to a lawyer who was a presidential political appointee -- in other words on of the most privileged people on earth -- feels oppressed to the point that she invokes the black civil rights movement? Simply because (a) she freely chose a less-than-lucrative masters degree, (b) her politically-connected lawyer spouse is temporarily unemployed, and (c) a vulgar man whose name isn't Lyndon Johnson was elected president? Please.
A majority of white women voted against a deeply flawed, corrupt, molester-enabler, whose principal selling point was her gender, and they somehow voted against their "group interest"? Is gender really all we are? Such Marxist-lite identity politics are simply beyond parody.
It's as if the authors of this article and half the comments were undercover Trump operatives on a mission to reinforce the very tropes that have resulted in the Democrats losing 1000 federal and state elections over the past 8 years, culminating with the presidency.
If you want more Trump, this is how you get more Trump.
22
Clinton's loss is not feminists' loss, as has been discussed in the same pages not long ago. It is your loss, or specifically your husband's loss because he was a political appointee under Obama and expecting to get another appointment under Clinton. But that would be another four or eight years. All said, I appreciate your frankness.
8
Hilarious. Hard to stop giggling.
10
Child-men in charge is one of the reasons we march. Thanks for reminding us.
33
I participated in my first march Saturday in Atlanta. I haven't seen much reference to our gathering, so I want to report that we were led by statesman and fearless longtime marcher and resister, Congressman John Lewis. You never know how Atlanta, the South's largest city, will show up. We showed up! 10,000 were expected, 60,000 or more showed up in a pounding storm. Racially mixed, nationalities represented, both genders in support of one another, children and elders. Joyful, determined, listening to each other's stories, accepting that we may have out own core purpose and focus, but realizing the power and renewal gained from joining together in honor of what binds us together, a belief in human rights.
27
This is a beautiful and honest piece. My friends and I who were marching were much abused on twitter by women, which made me sad. One wrote: "Donald Trump respects women!", I had to wonder if she had followed the campaign. Others, young women by the looks of their pictures, said to us that our oppression was nothing compared to women around the globe. That's true--but I couldn't help but wonder if these young ladies were aware of the struggles of American women who came before them.
20
Well said. Thank you.
4
As Obama said, we were complacent. Now we have to fight again to protect our rights. We can't ever ASSUME that any right is secure unless we put our demands squarely and loudly in front of our elected officials. Officeholders in 2017 aren't motivated by what happened in the 1970's. So train your kids and grandkids to march, register, vote, and make their demands known to the politicians who are supposed to represent them.
22
Her husband is an attorney who now had his former job with the Obama administration on his resume as he prepares to land his next job. He is out of work temporarily while she continues work in her non-profit. Oh my God, the unfairness of it all! So, let's ... march. We don't have to say what for; let's just march. Is it at least possible that a significant percentage of women are pro-life? And that a lot of them voted for Trump? Don't ponder those questions, just... march. Marching is easier than thinking.
23
It's hard to know what to do to make a difference in our country when we live in progressive California. Marching felt good yesterday, but didn't make any practical difference. What if we all committed to send $9 to any progressive candidate who challenges a right-wing candidate? We could call it "Nine for New leadership."
13
She didn't have to march. She marched the day before when she sat up on that stage and listened to Donald Trump's speech. She marched everyday of the campaign for POTUS when she endured even though Donald Trump and his minions were telling lie after lie about her. She marched everyday of her life when she fought for women, children and the elderly. When Trump supporters yelled "lock her up" she kept her head high and kept marching.
45
Thanks to all who marched!
14
Thank you for this. I am the same person as your mother. I marched when I was young for women's rights and against the war in Vietnam. Today I march with my daughter and her friends and tell them that no rights are permanent, they will have to keep fighting and take nothing for granted. When their friends criticism them I tell them it's Ok- we are marching for their rights also- even if they don't know they need us to.
20
Men and women need to march, hike, run or other exercises to stay healthy and keep the weight down. So keep on marching. Good for you!
4
If more young women had voted it would have changed the outcome of this election. I agree with this writer; too much has been taken for granted in the years since Roe vs. Wade. I am from the generation when abortion was illegal, and I witnessed a friend in college nearly bleed to death in her dorm room from a back alley coat hanger procedure.
Women, you must do more than march. It was a good start (and one that I participated in), but you must become politically active. The future of women's health and well-being is in your hands.
Women, you must do more than march. It was a good start (and one that I participated in), but you must become politically active. The future of women's health and well-being is in your hands.
19
I went to the march in Boston. It was inspiring, positive and peaceful. I met a woman who has worked for HUD for years and said that activists from Massachusetts are usually separated from others as they come prepared and ask more questions than anyone. We're very proud of our part in the beginning of the idea of what it means to be American. It's not an ethnicity, race, religion or gender - it's an idea that all are equal under the law. Keep on marching!
18
isn't it better to be marching for something?
than against something.
just asking!
than against something.
just asking!
3
Two points: equating your husband's job loss--as an Obama appointee--with the chronic struggles of the working class demonstrates how modern Democrats just don't get it.
More disturbing is the adoption of political activism as some cross between recreation and therapy. Once upon a time, protestors had to risk their jobs and businesses to march on weekdays, when they would make the most impact. Now mass demonstrations are scheduled for Saturdays, picket sign in one hand and a latte in the other, and color coordinated with fashion statements. That this fills some sort of void in your personal life is not to be applauded.
Civic protest has long been hijacked by professional activists who do this for money and exploit the vulnerable and lonely to fill out their numbers. If you need a cause in order to find yourself, then you are really not helping the cause you claim to represent.
More disturbing is the adoption of political activism as some cross between recreation and therapy. Once upon a time, protestors had to risk their jobs and businesses to march on weekdays, when they would make the most impact. Now mass demonstrations are scheduled for Saturdays, picket sign in one hand and a latte in the other, and color coordinated with fashion statements. That this fills some sort of void in your personal life is not to be applauded.
Civic protest has long been hijacked by professional activists who do this for money and exploit the vulnerable and lonely to fill out their numbers. If you need a cause in order to find yourself, then you are really not helping the cause you claim to represent.
22
Professional activists didn't make millions of people turn out yesterday for protests all over the world.
22
Thank you so much Elizabeth Word Gutting for this elegant tribute to your mother. It makes me feel a little better. I feel a sense of repudiation as a woman of my generation. I grew up in the 50's and 60's and was an eager participant in the 2nd wave feminism of that time....and feel so lucky to have had that chance. I remember the situation of women in my mothers' generation. It was difficult over the years to see the backlash against feminism that got stronger and stronger through the 80's and 90's. Millennial women had renewed my hope that sexism might be vanquished in my life time. Like millions of women in my generation Hillary represented us. We recognized her story as our own, we were acutely sensitive to the obstacles that she has faced..but we had hope. Hope that women were finally going to be treated as equals, and that we might have a woman take a shot at heading our government. The campaign was one long disillusionment. For those us us who were tuned into the nuances of misogyny it was a painful experience to witness the double standard and demeaning treatment of our candidate. That Trump won means, to me, that sexism (the press and pundits oblivious to most of it) is still rampant today. How more clear could it be that Hillary (the most well prepared candidate ever, thoughtful, sane, intelligent with a progressive agenda) could have lost to this bumpkin? That voters were primed to swallow the hostile and dishonest attacks against Hillary is the only explanation.
26
It's time men come to the conclusion that women are superior. Just consider their role in the reproduction process compared to the almost ridiculous contribution of men.
It's time men should ultimately honor the role of women in this world. We don't live in the Stone Age anymore.
It's time men should ultimately honor the role of women in this world. We don't live in the Stone Age anymore.
11
There's an old Zen story concerning a farmer losing his cow, where the moral turns out to be that often what we perceive to be the worst thing initially actually turns out to be the best thing, and that only time will tell.
Perhaps our new president will inspire people who in the past have in recent years been complacent to start taking a more active interest in their country and stand up for what they feel is right.
As a child of the sixties, it was great to see so many hundreds of thousands in cities across the WORLD peacefully protesting.
Maybe seeing our new President in action will be a kind of shock therapy. Have a feeling once those who supported him see his impossible to deliver promises broken will join.
Just hope we can survive the next four years...
Perhaps our new president will inspire people who in the past have in recent years been complacent to start taking a more active interest in their country and stand up for what they feel is right.
As a child of the sixties, it was great to see so many hundreds of thousands in cities across the WORLD peacefully protesting.
Maybe seeing our new President in action will be a kind of shock therapy. Have a feeling once those who supported him see his impossible to deliver promises broken will join.
Just hope we can survive the next four years...
15
Ms Mallory marched all her life because she and her family had a reason to march and knew the purpose of it. She and her mother's generation are the true feminists and activists of the present time. They are blameless heroes of the times we find ourselves in now.
I find that the present day feminists, at least many of them have lost perspective of what Ms. Mallory's and I personally fought for back in the 70's.Many indeed do not realize and never will, just how bad it was for women, Blacks, and mostly Mexican immigrants back before the movements that began that brought attention to their causes.
As I marched yesterday in DC, ( 1st time in many years), and with my daughter and soon to be son in law, I found myself wondering about all the young women I saw. Did they vote? Do they consider themselves to be a Feminist even? Do they know the history of oppression of women, African Americans, Immigrants? I think sadly many do no not.
I find that the present day feminists, at least many of them have lost perspective of what Ms. Mallory's and I personally fought for back in the 70's.Many indeed do not realize and never will, just how bad it was for women, Blacks, and mostly Mexican immigrants back before the movements that began that brought attention to their causes.
As I marched yesterday in DC, ( 1st time in many years), and with my daughter and soon to be son in law, I found myself wondering about all the young women I saw. Did they vote? Do they consider themselves to be a Feminist even? Do they know the history of oppression of women, African Americans, Immigrants? I think sadly many do no not.
7
Overall good piece. While I have sympathy for her political appointee husband who lost his job I cannot help saying "so what". There are jobs to be had. Get out and go find one.
4
"As we go marching marching, in the beauty of the day....give us bread and give us roses."
Sometimes the old songs are eerily apropos.
Sometimes the old songs are eerily apropos.
5
My wife has been a feminist all her life. My daughter is as well. They vote in every election. Demographically they are white women and they voted for Hillary Clinton.
53% of white women voted for Trump.
Trump won, and Clinton lost by the thinnest of margins, 77,000 votes in three states (Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania) account for Trump's electoral college victory.
13,890,000 votes were tallied in those three crucial states. If Hillary Clinton had won 53% of the votes cast by white women in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, Trump would be just another sore loser.
Women's marches are inspiring and great organizational tools. But women, and particularly women in the Democratic Party, need to think about why 53% of white women found Donald Trump a better choice than Hillary Clinton.
Frankly, this surprises me.
53% of white women voted for Trump.
Trump won, and Clinton lost by the thinnest of margins, 77,000 votes in three states (Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania) account for Trump's electoral college victory.
13,890,000 votes were tallied in those three crucial states. If Hillary Clinton had won 53% of the votes cast by white women in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, Trump would be just another sore loser.
Women's marches are inspiring and great organizational tools. But women, and particularly women in the Democratic Party, need to think about why 53% of white women found Donald Trump a better choice than Hillary Clinton.
Frankly, this surprises me.
7
. . . because many white women still derive greater power in our society from being white, not from being a woman. When we recognize how deeply embedded our societal norms are, we are better able to refute them. Self-awareness is an on-going process!
9
As a member of the "Boomer" generation, marching yesterday in protest was not a new experience. From public protests that were Pro-Civil Rights, Anti-Vietnam War, Pro-ERA, No Nukes & closing Three-Mile Island, Anti-Iraq Invasion & War, as a participant and at times a civil disobedient, there was a clear sense that banding together for justice could have an impact on policy. In many cases, it did - in others, not so much, if at all. However, the past eight years under Obama seems to have led folk to a yawning complacency and belief that we were enjoying a "post-racial" society in which everything was okay now.
The Supreme Court's gutting the Voting Rights Act and their Citizens United decision caused no popular uproar - yet these are two main reasons that explain why we are where we are today. Signing Internet petitions can never replace the impact of public demonstrations that are palpably "in your face" for politicians to ponder.
So it was both exhilarating & inspiring to be standing with so many women AND men of all ages yesterday, taking up the fight for justice for ALL once again. Ms. Word Gutting's mother did her part back then (even if the photo is wrong); may she and we all continue to join in these public demonstrations of solidarity and fully participate in our democratic processes - not only in marches, but in local and national political campaigns, as well as in the voting booth.
The people united, can never be defeated!
The Supreme Court's gutting the Voting Rights Act and their Citizens United decision caused no popular uproar - yet these are two main reasons that explain why we are where we are today. Signing Internet petitions can never replace the impact of public demonstrations that are palpably "in your face" for politicians to ponder.
So it was both exhilarating & inspiring to be standing with so many women AND men of all ages yesterday, taking up the fight for justice for ALL once again. Ms. Word Gutting's mother did her part back then (even if the photo is wrong); may she and we all continue to join in these public demonstrations of solidarity and fully participate in our democratic processes - not only in marches, but in local and national political campaigns, as well as in the voting booth.
The people united, can never be defeated!
11
I was with the author until she mentioned her assumption that she would marry a man who would make more money than herself. Overcoming sexism requires that all people will have to change their attitudes toward their own gender as well as the other gender. I have long since appreciated, sometimes frustratingly so, that this a near daily work out, not just for a straight guy but everyone. (But it can be done with a sense of humor and grace. ). .....and thank you marchers!
8
I marched in Chicago to be in solidarity with those who have marched before us. I had to march, especially as I saw Rep Lewis trashed. When I came home, I joined the ACLU.
16
Hypocrisy by a woman who expected her partner (husband) to earn more should she marry and start a family, an English major explaining her income. If she was truly into what she said she would have more earning power, perhaps gotten an M.B.A. for a higher paying job, etc. As for their finances: her husband is an attorney. He is highly employable not like many uneducated in this country who survive on minimum wage or a bit more.
14
And why is their child still in expensive daycare when the husband is not working?
10
I was an English major, and completed an MA in English as well, then another Masters degree - no, not an MBA or JD. I'm now mid-career, and making over $180,000 running multiple organizations. I use my English degrees daily, as I have to write constantly and persuasively. I support my family on this; my spouse is ill and unable to work. I have almost always made more money than him, in our 25 years of marriage. Actually, a lot of us with English degrees do very well indeed for ourselves. It's actually an excellent foundational degree for a multitude of careers.
14
As the father of daughters and husband for nearly four decades, I try to listen with discernment to the wishes of women, and I look at my own family for guidance to find enduring truths. As much as we dislike the term "balance", seeing it as a smokescreen, we live together in this world. At the nuclear level (reproduction, pair-bonding, raising children), men and women are on a shared journey and "gains" often play out in a family.
Change in society begins at the personal level, and I have searched my career for evidence of the 20% discount that women take on their pay. Working for women for half my life, I measured these women based on fairness and transparency, and I know they were paid commensurate with men. Is there a way to "square the circle" and move more women to the boardroom? That is a corporate responsibility, true, and it requires equal numbers of women who seek that goal. Are there equal numbers of women chasing it? Among high wage-earners, I see two-wage families getting richer. Is wealth concentration good for us?
Men objectify women, and designers and brands dress women to leverage beauty and sexual attractiveness over more utilitarian male dress. Why exactly? Capitulate? Manipulate?
I know the "march" prioritized women's health. Is there a middle way to affirm life, also? Is there a way to say that an amniocentesis prompting a late-term abortion is a moral decision for parents rather than a woman's choice alone?
How is the trans movement pro-woman?
Change in society begins at the personal level, and I have searched my career for evidence of the 20% discount that women take on their pay. Working for women for half my life, I measured these women based on fairness and transparency, and I know they were paid commensurate with men. Is there a way to "square the circle" and move more women to the boardroom? That is a corporate responsibility, true, and it requires equal numbers of women who seek that goal. Are there equal numbers of women chasing it? Among high wage-earners, I see two-wage families getting richer. Is wealth concentration good for us?
Men objectify women, and designers and brands dress women to leverage beauty and sexual attractiveness over more utilitarian male dress. Why exactly? Capitulate? Manipulate?
I know the "march" prioritized women's health. Is there a middle way to affirm life, also? Is there a way to say that an amniocentesis prompting a late-term abortion is a moral decision for parents rather than a woman's choice alone?
How is the trans movement pro-woman?
3
Thank you for your comments which largely capture how I feel. I am 40 and feel guilty for having taken it all for granted for so many years.
3
I believe my mother was more specific in her advice: I will never forget her angrily hanging up the phone and turning to my sister and me and saying, "Girls, don't you ever depend on a man for your future, your happiness, or your money." I am married to a wonderful man, but I never depend on him for my happiness or money. Those are my responsibility. I'm glad younger women are waking up to how far we've come yet also how far we still have to go. We need to support young men in this too. We need to fight back together.
8
Ms Gutting, don't feel too bad that it took you a while to reach the truth. You are way ahead of so many. People still think they will be part of a couple, but as any sociologist can tell, we spend most of our lives living alone. Our time as a couple is short and a bonus. Every human being needs to know how to take care of themselves: financially and physically. Not only do they need to know how to support themselves, they need to know how to take care of themselves (and that includes know how to keep their living space clean, knowing how to cook, and all the other life skills).
8
I am sure Hillary is wondering where all this enthusiasm was in September and October last year.
10
I marched in Des Moines, IA with an estimated 10,000; Iowa City marchers estimated at 2,000. Even the rest stops on I-80 outside Des Moines were filled with carloads of pink-hatted marchers headed to the capital. The feeling of a growing and united community of resistors was electric.
10
Marches in DC, all over the country in places large and small, and cities around the world yesterday, and this dated photo from an anti-woman demonstration is all you can find, New York Times? Come on, Times, replace this photo and do right by your subscribers! Now!
3
Lovely sentiments. I feel bad for my mom, too --she will not see a woman President. it'll be decades, I fear.
I recall many women proclaiming that they didn't need to vote for Hillary because misogyny want a problem. how wrong they were.
I recall many women proclaiming that they didn't need to vote for Hillary because misogyny want a problem. how wrong they were.
6
I'm 66 years old and had become very discouraged by the fact that many woman had become complacent, especially the young. But although I may not live to see a woman president, I truly believe I am witnessing the beginnings of a new revolution. Although I have hardened over the years as a means of survival, yesterday was a day of many tears of joy and hope for the future. A wonderful day!
17
Yesterday I marched and I marched and I marched. I had to march and apparently I was not alone. Hillary Clinton lost the election for many reasons, most of them for very unfair reasons - Russia hacks and the FBI sabotage. However when you blow all the foam off the root beer, she lost because she was a woman. The absolute raw, bare-bones misogyny that was on display during this campaign was stunning. I came away with the fundamental realization that a woman cannot be president of the United States. Hillary Clinton was tied into knots because she could not say or do what a man could do. She was held to an entirely different standard. She could not by her very nature as a women look presidential by American standards. In fact all the things that plagued her election -- Benghazi, Wall Street, email server, hacks, FBI sabotage would not have been a problem had she been a man. She could not won over Barack obama because she was a woman. But this election was so blatantly misogynous. It screamed out at you. Hell, even women voted against her. It takes your breath away.
I am a white older man who marched for his wife, for his daughters, for all the women and young girls of the world. Hillary Clinton is sadly not our president but I am with her. This election was a turning point. Wake up!
I am a white older man who marched for his wife, for his daughters, for all the women and young girls of the world. Hillary Clinton is sadly not our president but I am with her. This election was a turning point. Wake up!
19
Sadly, 40 years later women are still fighting for the same rights.
As a result of purposeful limitation to access, many states, like Texas, have made women's reproductive rights moot. What good is Roe v Wade if there's no place to go for a legal and safe abortion?
For many women, economic freedom hinges on reproductive freedom.
As a result of purposeful limitation to access, many states, like Texas, have made women's reproductive rights moot. What good is Roe v Wade if there's no place to go for a legal and safe abortion?
For many women, economic freedom hinges on reproductive freedom.
51
"The answer is that I expected if I met a man I wanted to marry....he would have a higher income." Of course you did. Men make much more than women across the spectrum of jobs-- from larger salaries and easier job searches as primary teachers, to immensely larger salaries and more work as film stars. One thing Hillary Clinton was working to change. I cry when I think of the women who swallowed the 'don't vote with your vagina' nonsense-- their votes alone could have saved us from this darkness. But clearly we were asleep as a nation in some ways, and to see us awaken together is a wonderful thing.
38
All human rights progress is fragile; it should never be taken for granted. The mind boggling non-voters, third party nihilists, and Bernie dreamers gave us Trump. Now we live in a nation of peril, with carnage to come.
www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/us/many-in-milwaukee-neighborhood-didnt-vote-...
www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/us/many-in-milwaukee-neighborhood-didnt-vote-...
5
10,000 marched in Seneca Falls, NY - the birthplace of the women's rights movement
17
54 year old female here. I read this whole article, and could not find one instance of how this woman or her mother experienced sexism. I cannot think of one time in my whole life that I have felt oppressed, or experienced sexism. Women have it great here in this country.
Perhaps some soul searching is needed on the parts of these women who whine and feel so oppressed. Perhaps you are making poor choices.
I might add that because her lawyer husband lost his job in the Obama administration (which is to be expected since his party lost), it does not mean he can't get another job.
Is he too good to bag groceries? Is he too elite for that?
Why is the daughter still in daycare if the husband doesn't have a job?
Can he not take care of the child?
I just simply don't get this article.
Perhaps some soul searching is needed on the parts of these women who whine and feel so oppressed. Perhaps you are making poor choices.
I might add that because her lawyer husband lost his job in the Obama administration (which is to be expected since his party lost), it does not mean he can't get another job.
Is he too good to bag groceries? Is he too elite for that?
Why is the daughter still in daycare if the husband doesn't have a job?
Can he not take care of the child?
I just simply don't get this article.
24
Jackie, it's ok - lots of people have had it easy, had it good. We are marching to protect your rights also because you don't understand how everything you have - the right to vote, the right to equal education, women's health care, to have a credit card in your own name, to buy a house or a car is because your foremothers marched for these rights. If you think they are a guarantee, you may be seriously mistaken.
6
Exactly...there appears to be no examples of any sexism, outside of 'feelings', but since the Left believes that each individual's 'feelings trump even their biology, their endless competition for the 'Most Victimized' medal is hardly surprising.
8
You must have no daughters who are grossed out by Ts vulgarity and predatorial mind, know no people of Latino descent, never come across a Muslim family, not know anyone who is right now terrified of losing health coverage. I bet you haven't had coffee with someone who has been racially profiled.
All of these people are intensely vulnerable right now, have been openly threatened by the new President, and his viciousness has been applauded by his supporters. Were you one of them?
All of these people are intensely vulnerable right now, have been openly threatened by the new President, and his viciousness has been applauded by his supporters. Were you one of them?
11
I didn't see Hillary marching!
4
e didn't have to march. She marched the day before when she sat up on that stage and listened to Donald Trump's speech. She marched everyday of the campaign for POTUS when she endured even though Donald Trump and his minions were telling lie after lie about her. She marched everyday of her life when she fought for women, children and the elderly. When Trump supporters yelled "lock her up" she kept her head high and kept marching.
13
Hillary's defeat was self inflicted.
You can't blame Trump for her deceit, dishonesty, and duplicity.
You can't blame Trump for her deceit, dishonesty, and duplicity.
6
Similar to you, my mother taught me to stand up for women's rights and as an art therapist, I walked proudly and feel more empowered now to face the dreadful 4 years ahead!
7
What's amazing is that when movements are truly grass roots they always seems to cry out for more justice, peace, and reason. Hundreds of small real grass roots orgs had to come up with a single platform fast (democracy in action) for Saturday's protests. Top down made campaigns don't (call them Astroturf). Democracy tries to keep the political top and bottom from diverging to far. We saw during Friday's inauguration that underneath the thin veneer of symbols evoking past inaugurations there was this spectacle of political narcissism and self-aggrandizement. Claiming mandates where there are none. The political top and bottom are once again too far apart.
Change always comes from one grass roots movement. A century ago labor organized and galvanized downtrodden workers. I grew up in a prosperous mid-20th century America built by labor. Post-war eras brought civil rights as people see old class and ethnic division as unjust. The women's movement of the '60s was an offshoot. Maybe Saturday's new women's movement will be the leading edge for a needed political change of course, before the chaos wrought by political no accounts and demagogues goes too far.
It won't be easy. I'm old enough to understand that right now politicians are strategizing how to make this annoying grass roots thing quickly disperse. It's what they do, and they control lots of big media outlets. So, millions of us must join this cause, and march until they can no longer be ignored.
Change always comes from one grass roots movement. A century ago labor organized and galvanized downtrodden workers. I grew up in a prosperous mid-20th century America built by labor. Post-war eras brought civil rights as people see old class and ethnic division as unjust. The women's movement of the '60s was an offshoot. Maybe Saturday's new women's movement will be the leading edge for a needed political change of course, before the chaos wrought by political no accounts and demagogues goes too far.
It won't be easy. I'm old enough to understand that right now politicians are strategizing how to make this annoying grass roots thing quickly disperse. It's what they do, and they control lots of big media outlets. So, millions of us must join this cause, and march until they can no longer be ignored.
11
Trump. You have never feared anyone.
Not the bankruptcy courts or the small claims courts the contractors you entered into deals with could bring actions. You could crush them with motions and hearings and discovery requests that would bury them.
You could take the 5th Amendment 97 times in your 100 question deposition by lawyers for the mother of Ivanka and Eric and Don Jr., denying your blatant adultery with Martha Maples which you flaunted under their noses on NYT society pages for months so your pre-nup with her would stand
We are supposed to "give you a chance". To wage war. or overturn Roe v Wade, or Defund Planned Parenthood and then fight the fight after the deed is done?
Not the bankruptcy courts or the small claims courts the contractors you entered into deals with could bring actions. You could crush them with motions and hearings and discovery requests that would bury them.
You could take the 5th Amendment 97 times in your 100 question deposition by lawyers for the mother of Ivanka and Eric and Don Jr., denying your blatant adultery with Martha Maples which you flaunted under their noses on NYT society pages for months so your pre-nup with her would stand
We are supposed to "give you a chance". To wage war. or overturn Roe v Wade, or Defund Planned Parenthood and then fight the fight after the deed is done?
12
I spent much of the 1960's and early 1970's marching against the war in Viet Nam,for women's rights and for civil rights. In recent decades, I have often wondered why younger women were not out there marching to defend their ever eroding rights to self determination over their own bodies, to protect their right to birth control and abortion, to fight against racism, and the wars in the Middle East. The wake up call has been sounding for years. It's so good to see younger women waking up to their responsibility to preserve and protect this great Democracy. Keep going!!
8
The Marchs occurred yesterday and the elections in our country occurred 2 and a half months ago. The Democrats were beaten at the State level ,House levels, Senate level and Executive level. Half the qualified voters didn't think it was important enough to spend a couple of hours to vote even though most schools are closed and employers grant leave to exercise the right to vote.
Our democracy offered every opportunity to either change or support the ideals you cherish. It is our just right to organize or participate in a peaceful protest but exactly what could have more important to do on November 8th? I know most of the marchers will claim they voted but the math proves otherwise.
My family had the flu virus on Election Day and we all voted... We thought it was important and we believe voting is our obligation as an American citizen.
Our democracy offered every opportunity to either change or support the ideals you cherish. It is our just right to organize or participate in a peaceful protest but exactly what could have more important to do on November 8th? I know most of the marchers will claim they voted but the math proves otherwise.
My family had the flu virus on Election Day and we all voted... We thought it was important and we believe voting is our obligation as an American citizen.
9
50 shades of...the 1960's.
4
I am lucky. More than 50 years ago my mother steered me into a college major and career where I could not only make some money but grow intellectually throughout my career and life. We didn't always get along, but it's a good thing I took her advice. Don't know where I'd be if I hadn't followed it as things on the personal side didn't work out so well. I remember my dad telling me that when i married my husband's job would be the important one anyway. Good thing I didn't listen to him on that subject. He was a prince of a guy, but mothers know best.
12
My first march was as a college student supporting the ERA against the army of the Pink Peril Phyllis Schlafly. A moment that really sticks out for me was when the organizers, a mere 10 years or so after the Civil Rights demonstrations, tried unsuccessfully to lead us in "We're for ERA" sung to the tune of "We Shall Overcome." None of my generation knew the song.
5
Occupy Wall Street media coverage with the same NON-RESULTS. Keep on marching LOL.
12
Why are you folks on the left so obsessed with identity politics? If a republican woman had been sworn in on Friday you would be unfairly trying to destroy her right now as well. No, it's all about leftist ideology and you will demonstrate and try to destroy anything in your way. Plus, wasn't Obama our first female president?
12
The truth is that our society does not make it easy for young people (women or men), especially working families, to build successful lives. That needs to change, and I think that is something that pink-hat rally-goers and Trump supporters could actually agree on.
I suspect that many of us (however we voted) want the basics of the American dream: a job, a home, a family (whatever form that takes for us). Whatever else can be said of Trump, he does represents a rejection of many of the recent Republican principles that have been hurting working Americans, and perhaps there is an opportunity there.
I do not believe that Trump himself will truly work to help working Americans, beyond rhetoric and stunts (see: Carrier), he just doesn't care that much about anything but himself. But perhaps his election CAN be the start of something new, and yesterday's rallies will certainly be a part of that new beginning. Maybe there is reason for hope after all?
I suspect that many of us (however we voted) want the basics of the American dream: a job, a home, a family (whatever form that takes for us). Whatever else can be said of Trump, he does represents a rejection of many of the recent Republican principles that have been hurting working Americans, and perhaps there is an opportunity there.
I do not believe that Trump himself will truly work to help working Americans, beyond rhetoric and stunts (see: Carrier), he just doesn't care that much about anything but himself. But perhaps his election CAN be the start of something new, and yesterday's rallies will certainly be a part of that new beginning. Maybe there is reason for hope after all?
11
I went to DC yesterday with a friend who came from CA.
Being so moved as a woman in her mid sixties that reading these comment this morning brings tears of joy.
If it takes the likes of like "him" to awaken us all to our responsibility to "we the people" then there is a silver lining to this Republican coup d'etat in the making since Nixon the the southern strategy.
Yesterday is just the Beginning.
As Helen Reddy said: I Am Woman Hear Me Roar!
Being so moved as a woman in her mid sixties that reading these comment this morning brings tears of joy.
If it takes the likes of like "him" to awaken us all to our responsibility to "we the people" then there is a silver lining to this Republican coup d'etat in the making since Nixon the the southern strategy.
Yesterday is just the Beginning.
As Helen Reddy said: I Am Woman Hear Me Roar!
6
rights are taken for granted until you lose them!
4
While u support all women's voices, this writer does not reflect the real tone of the Women's March. It was urgent, desperate, fighting for our lives not our self actualization. I followed a similar path to the writer, majored in English, love to write, but when I got a serious incurable chronic disease I realized early on I could not count on a future husband for security or health insurance. I went to medical school. I make far more than my wonderful
Idealistic husband. With the ACA I had the freedom to open my own practice and start a research company. With its repeal I may have to close the practice to work for a big system that can insure me. Women can, should and will stand on their own two feet as I expect my daughters to. A happy marriage is partly luck but the ability to support yourself if you are able to get an education should come from your own hard work. I marched for my children's long term future, for their right to equality and a livable planet. But I also marched because without health insurance I will die. Preserving the ACA is a short term goal.
Idealistic husband. With the ACA I had the freedom to open my own practice and start a research company. With its repeal I may have to close the practice to work for a big system that can insure me. Women can, should and will stand on their own two feet as I expect my daughters to. A happy marriage is partly luck but the ability to support yourself if you are able to get an education should come from your own hard work. I marched for my children's long term future, for their right to equality and a livable planet. But I also marched because without health insurance I will die. Preserving the ACA is a short term goal.
9
Congratulations to all the women who marched. It definitely had an impact in taking the steam out of DT's inauguration, but he is still the president. Much, much more work is needed. DT and the Republican Congress will still be able to do a lot of damage to access to health care and choice for women and all Americans, to the environment, to the cause of economic justice and opportunity for all. We still have much work to do.
14
Thank u for this article each generation of women has conquered a bit and the thought that it is only modern women or characterizing those of your mom''s time as different is so wrong; in the seventies and earlier women in particular faced much greater bias for advancement for credit in many aspects and worse if their aspirations were high or to bring up a family alone. it happened regardless of capabilities or education.
May this never be forgotten
May this never be forgotten
5
In the heart of conservative Orange County California, 21 thousand people marched in Santa Ana for the values which America stands: inclusiveness, freedom, compassion, equality. For some reason the progress on these values can never be taken for granted. The Republicans did not win, they lost. They cheated their way to a second presidency in 16 years. By thwarting the vote they obtain false majorities. I had no impression either by the March on Orange County or what I saw globally that this is a one time feel good event. Women by their physical natures have great endurance, are able to juggle many tasks at once. A sleeping giantess has awoken, in an odd way, the 45th occupant of the White House will make America great, mainly by recruiting people from all walks of life to make sure our values and rights are not taken away by corporate elites lying to those who fell left out because of the very corporate actions that took away their jobs and dignity. When progressives win, everybody wins.
11
These marchers will change the course of history.
Well, maybe not but they had fun.
Well, maybe not but they had fun.
5
The questions you need to ask your selves is why do women hang around or be with men that don't respect and empower them. My wife, sisters and Mom would never tolerate anything less. Stop blaming men for your supposedly short comings. The hate coming from the speakers affiliated with the march is disheartening, especially the women who tweeted Baron would become a school shooter or Madonna wanting to blow up the Whitehorse Where were all of you November 8th when it mattered?
Don't forget millions of women voted for Trump and still support him.
Don't forget millions of women voted for Trump and still support him.
13
As I marched proudly along, I glanced up to the sun & clouds, and all I could imagine was the radiant image of Secretary Clinton smiling down on us all from above.
2
News Flash... Women, gays, Muslims, blacks, whites, etc. DO NOT GET EXTRA RIGHTS. Groups are not endowed with rights. Only individuals are endowed with rights. And Rand reminded us that the smallest minority is the individual. Protesters and marchers oppose individual rights. Protesters and marchers support statism. Democratism is the new communism and Americans are disgusted with it!
9
When I read physics at an English university, there were roughly one hundred first year undergrads enrolled in the program. Just three of them were female.
I didn't like physics. I wasn't particularly good at it, in part because my maths foundation wasn't solid enough, having studied single A-level SMP maths rather than than traditional double A-levels in pure and applied.
My main strengths and interest were in English Lit, English Lang and Latin, but I thought I ought to make the effort to get to grips with a subject that I believed, would provide a key to opening the universe. Novels, plays and poetry I could read in my spare time, and did.
Looking back, I think I likely made a mistake. It would better to have read a discipline that interested me, and for which I was better equipped, or perhaps not to have gone to university at all at that time.
Because having money and a career didn't interest me in the slightest, I never gave those two matters the slightest consideration.
I didn't like physics. I wasn't particularly good at it, in part because my maths foundation wasn't solid enough, having studied single A-level SMP maths rather than than traditional double A-levels in pure and applied.
My main strengths and interest were in English Lit, English Lang and Latin, but I thought I ought to make the effort to get to grips with a subject that I believed, would provide a key to opening the universe. Novels, plays and poetry I could read in my spare time, and did.
Looking back, I think I likely made a mistake. It would better to have read a discipline that interested me, and for which I was better equipped, or perhaps not to have gone to university at all at that time.
Because having money and a career didn't interest me in the slightest, I never gave those two matters the slightest consideration.
7
Only people who have always had money do not give the "slightest consideration" to money in their choice of college degree.
That is why so many immigrants become pharmacists and so few get Masters degree in 19th Century French Poetry.
That is why so many immigrants become pharmacists and so few get Masters degree in 19th Century French Poetry.
7
So nice for you not to care about all that. I had to put myself through school because we were so poor there was barely enough money to pay the rent and eat. My parents would not consider welfare at all, better to starve then take from the government and they lived through the depression. I find that people who don't care about money and a career usually already have them or their families have them, especially the money part. Most people don't have that luxury, man or woman.
6
A lesson here may be to march to the voting booths next time around in states that actually determine the election via the Electoral College. Enormous turnouts for marches in coastal blue states mean very little politically at this point. Imagine if the same effort had been put into voter turnout efforts in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan prior to the election! Too little, much too late. Hillary's smugness and the DNC thinking the election was in the bag led to this.
15
Yes, and march to your phones to call your senators and representatives. Speak your mind daily. I have their numbers on my favorites list and call regularly now. This is a new and growing habit of mine that takes about a minute of my day. I imagine all my fellow marchers from yesterday and more flooding Congress (national and state) with our calls. Democracy and engaged citizenship at work! I'm passing it along to my teen, who thanked me for taking him to the march and hears my calls to senators and representatives.
7
When it comes to careers, people make financial miscalculations all the time. It's not necessarily about gender - we are torn between a path that satisfies us emotionally and one that is financially lucrative but not personally satisfying.
Life is choices. Most of them require some sort of sacrifice in return for something else.
Life is choices. Most of them require some sort of sacrifice in return for something else.
16
Yesterday was not just a statement but a movement to stop the forces of the past from engulfing our country. Dark forces to stop women, minorities, and immigrants from having a full voice. I marched in a republican town in a state that foolishly helped to put dump in the white house. It was amazing! Thousands of men, women, young, and old. The best part were the honking horns and thumps up (yes a handful of middle fingers and thumbs down) joining in the peaceful, determined march. We marched yesterday. More importantly we will resist and fight today and everyday until the orange monster and his motley crew are driven out of Washington.
9
I could not go, had to work. I felt very bad about missing the protest especially since my new job is fitting girls for prom and wedding dresses. I spent the whole day helping girls decide what dress to wear and how to make them look great. I felt guilty that it was the most backward thing ever.
But then they started to tell me about their plans. No heels! Even petite girls are wearing flats. They are going with their group of girlfriends, not boys. Their dresses are powerful, and daring, not demure in preparation for a wedding.
The brides are paying for the dress themselves so no one can tell them what to do. Yea they bring the family, listen to them, but then do what they want.
By the end of the day, I felt great. I felt the strength and power of these women, and appreciated the skills I have worked a lifetime to develop, making good money using them for women who appreciated them.
All in all, a good day for women.
But then they started to tell me about their plans. No heels! Even petite girls are wearing flats. They are going with their group of girlfriends, not boys. Their dresses are powerful, and daring, not demure in preparation for a wedding.
The brides are paying for the dress themselves so no one can tell them what to do. Yea they bring the family, listen to them, but then do what they want.
By the end of the day, I felt great. I felt the strength and power of these women, and appreciated the skills I have worked a lifetime to develop, making good money using them for women who appreciated them.
All in all, a good day for women.
15
Thank you for sharing this wonderfully empowering experience!
3
It is the safety net under threat and with its loss women will suffer massively. Loss of healthcare, Medicare, Social Security and banking regulations will impact all equally but women have had years of lower wages, child rearing exits from the job market, eldercare of parents, etc. Loss of the safety net is especially damaging for single women (and that is most women once husbands die in their vulnerable years). So anyone with a mother, aunt, or sister needs to consider the whole life time benefit of a safety net and women's equality.
The commenter who pointed out countries with a strong safety net offer a greater equality potential for women. One that Milenia grew up with by the way. She had free medical care her whole life. I keep wondering if the blue and white dresses were a comment. Did she want to vote against Don the Con?
The commenter who pointed out countries with a strong safety net offer a greater equality potential for women. One that Milenia grew up with by the way. She had free medical care her whole life. I keep wondering if the blue and white dresses were a comment. Did she want to vote against Don the Con?
9
This over privileged middle class whiner notwithstanding the feminist movements greatest achievement has been creating opportunities for women and making progress in the area of equal pay for equal work.
But…
Let’s examine the rights that women want to declare human rights. The right to drink and drug and have sex with whomever, whenever you want but when she calls it rape without any evidence the man must go to jail. And when her irresponsibility requires her to fulfill her role as a mother and nurture a fetus she wants the right to rip that potential sentient human being from her body because to carry it for 9 months is inconvenient. Liberalism as license.
I believe abortion should be legal because there are many scenarios beyond the one above that would make a woman choose abortion and she shouldn’t be subjected to a back alley butcher to get it. But to declare it a right coarsens the world.
The people of America have rejected liberalism and it would behoove liberals to face some of the reasons why. Identity politics and political correctness are leading candidates but so is the fact that liberalism has confused license with rights. Liberalism has embraced immorality; it is evident in every aspect of our culture. We are a coarse and decadent society and many Americans are fed up with it.
But…
Let’s examine the rights that women want to declare human rights. The right to drink and drug and have sex with whomever, whenever you want but when she calls it rape without any evidence the man must go to jail. And when her irresponsibility requires her to fulfill her role as a mother and nurture a fetus she wants the right to rip that potential sentient human being from her body because to carry it for 9 months is inconvenient. Liberalism as license.
I believe abortion should be legal because there are many scenarios beyond the one above that would make a woman choose abortion and she shouldn’t be subjected to a back alley butcher to get it. But to declare it a right coarsens the world.
The people of America have rejected liberalism and it would behoove liberals to face some of the reasons why. Identity politics and political correctness are leading candidates but so is the fact that liberalism has confused license with rights. Liberalism has embraced immorality; it is evident in every aspect of our culture. We are a coarse and decadent society and many Americans are fed up with it.
9
I would wager that you have never heard any of the words that have actually come from the mouth of our new President, right? Coarse would be one word I would use to describe how he talks about women. During the campaign he casually mentioned that women who had abortions should be prosecuted. Overturning Roe v. Wade seems to be the main driver in selecting a Supreme Court nominee. He used the word "carnage" to describe our great nation in his Inaugural speech. His entire lifestyle smacks of the decadence you deride as being a "liberal" value. Check yourself.
6
Freedom is a human right. I have the freedom to have sex with whoever I choose. This goes for both men and women. I have a freedom not to let my body be used by another, even for survival. This goes for both men and women. I have a freedom to make my own decisions and take responsibility for the consequences. This goes for both men and women. Your dog-whistle words - "decadence", "coarseness", "immorality" - have a long and inglorious history of being used to curtail basic human rights of men and women. You would be aware of this history if you were properly educated. But I am pretty sure that I, a woman with two PhDs, am better educated than you are, despite the fact that in the past women who strove to get a higher education were accused...yes, of being decadent, coarse and immoral.
4
Since we Americans missed an opportunity in this election to double down on Obama's legacy, we can only capitalize on the blowback from Trump's election to reorganize by bringing out the largest possible group of reactive and fired up Citizens.
Trump's only positive impact is this incredible energized group of angry Americans who have learned a valuable lesson about their country: don't ever let down in your effort or take victory for granted.
The next four years will pass rapidly and must be used productively to prepare for the next presidential election.
At the same time, heightened vigilance over Trump's administration is absolutely necessary to prevent a drifting toward fascism. Already Canadians who wanted to join the Women's March were stopped at the border by Border Patrol and questioned about their joining the march, some being turned back and refused entry into the United States.
This possible directive from Washington is a bad omen for freedom of speech and the right to organize!
Trump's only positive impact is this incredible energized group of angry Americans who have learned a valuable lesson about their country: don't ever let down in your effort or take victory for granted.
The next four years will pass rapidly and must be used productively to prepare for the next presidential election.
At the same time, heightened vigilance over Trump's administration is absolutely necessary to prevent a drifting toward fascism. Already Canadians who wanted to join the Women's March were stopped at the border by Border Patrol and questioned about their joining the march, some being turned back and refused entry into the United States.
This possible directive from Washington is a bad omen for freedom of speech and the right to organize!
7
I am afraid the Trump Resistance Movement got off on the wrong foot by clothing itself in the terms of identity politics. (Incidentally exactly what spoilt Mrs Clinton's campaign.) There are millions of men who despise Mr Trump's obvious vulgarity and lack of dignity who do not want to march under banners that claim "the future is female" - and why should they? Shouldn't a better future be both male AND female? Do we want a female or do we want a better President?
6
I think you picked a strange picture to illustrate your story. If the phrase "men our masters" is meant to carry an ironical message, this should be made clear in the caption - which only talks about a "Women's Liberation March". I think it is more likely that your picture editor got the wrong march. (There are apparently not enough images in your library of feminist demonstrations.) A quick Google Search reveals that there was indeed an anti-feminist movement in the 1970s that used exactly this slogan.
3
I don't understand this column.
58% of white women voted FOR Trump, not 58% of white women took it for granted that Hillary would win and did not vote, but, to say it yet in another way, 58% of white women voted AGAINST having the first woman president.
Explain THAT phenomenon, the phenomenon in which a group of people votes AGAINST its own self interest, not the one in which a group takes something for granted, and the columnist will win a Pulitzer.
I am still waiting for the column in the NYT representing the voice of that 58%.
58% of white women voted FOR Trump, not 58% of white women took it for granted that Hillary would win and did not vote, but, to say it yet in another way, 58% of white women voted AGAINST having the first woman president.
Explain THAT phenomenon, the phenomenon in which a group of people votes AGAINST its own self interest, not the one in which a group takes something for granted, and the columnist will win a Pulitzer.
I am still waiting for the column in the NYT representing the voice of that 58%.
8
It was 53% of White Women who voted for Trump, NOT 58% of women! And those who did don't read the NYTimes. They watch Fox.
4
For the most part, Trump's misogyny is about objectifying women, making off color statements about menstruation, criticizing an overweight beauty queen, and joking about the liberties women give to powerful men. Trump is boorish about women, But if I marched against every boorish man, I'd have holes in my shoes by now.
All that having been said, I am a criminal prosecutor and I draw a bright line between bad thoughts and bad actions. Shortly before the election we were told that Trump groped twelve women -- so many women coming forward it marked the end of the line for the guy. From then on, prison seemed the only just alternative. Misogyny is a psychological issue -- we all have those. Serial crime is a matter of a whole different order.
Despite the evidence of abuse, Trump won the election. And after his victory I never again read about his serial crimes. It was as if he had been pardoned because of his victory. As the Times has noted, we prosecutors do not have much enthusiasm for pardons. I followed the Obama pardons with interest. But nothing came close to the public pardoning of Trump.
The 12 women complainants convinced me that Trump was unfit even to be a dogcatcher. And then they fade into oblivion? The 12 women should have been at the head of this march. Since when is misogyny a cause for action and serial abuse a passing fancy?
All that having been said, I am a criminal prosecutor and I draw a bright line between bad thoughts and bad actions. Shortly before the election we were told that Trump groped twelve women -- so many women coming forward it marked the end of the line for the guy. From then on, prison seemed the only just alternative. Misogyny is a psychological issue -- we all have those. Serial crime is a matter of a whole different order.
Despite the evidence of abuse, Trump won the election. And after his victory I never again read about his serial crimes. It was as if he had been pardoned because of his victory. As the Times has noted, we prosecutors do not have much enthusiasm for pardons. I followed the Obama pardons with interest. But nothing came close to the public pardoning of Trump.
The 12 women complainants convinced me that Trump was unfit even to be a dogcatcher. And then they fade into oblivion? The 12 women should have been at the head of this march. Since when is misogyny a cause for action and serial abuse a passing fancy?
8
Trumps vulgarity aside, when Madonna speaks on behalf of women, the queen of exploiting and objectifying and sexualizing to capitalize, it is pretty clear why we have more to fear than fear itself
7
Perhaps it was simply that no one believed any of those "he said/she said" allegations.
4
All the years Trump has been working and he never gets sued for bad behavior from any woman. Then just before the election all these women come out of the woodwork. Yeah, right. I'm not even a Trump supporter.
4
I admire women and support their goals of total equality and women's rights. The Republican agenda is anti-abortion, but I don't think the President from NYC is truly interested in overturning Roe vs Wade but would rather give it back to the States to decide - which Is not a good solution but better than be Federally overturned. I certainly understand why women would think Trump is a pig but question why they didn't protest him before the election? Also, I question why the same group of women didn't protest Bill Clinton, Hillary's husband is a textbook predator that keeps on giving Hillary hell? No women's groups came to her defense or protested to move him back in the woodwork. In fact some of his conquests sat in the audience during one of the debates. Hillary herself seem unable to respond to these victims of her husband and Hillary herself is a martyr for it. Where were the protests against Bill? Surely women everywhere are finished with these predator male behaviors but don't ignore that Hillary herself brushed off all of her husband's lurid affairs and continues to ignore it. Obviously, if this was your champion you need to elevate your standards of champions to succeed.
8
HRC most certainly responded to the victims. She smeared them and trashed them at every opportunity. If you're a predator and a leftist you get a pass to do whatever you want. I was there in the '90s and disgusted by his behavior and the behavior of every woman who gave him a pass. HRC stayed with him for his political power, she road his coattails and used his personality to gain a slush fund to run for president. Awful behavior.
3
Today, right now, the GOP is hard at work to outlaw protests. Pay attention to this now, because when you are not looking...on a Friday night just before 5 o'clock, they will sign a law in your community, county or state to outlaw & prevent protests.
The greed of the sociopathic elite has gotten us to this point. I say that because 99% of fortunes have truly been made off the backs of the poor (minimum wage/slave wages overtime without pay, etc), and to become one of the top billionaires, you really have to be really cold fish and have lots of unscrupulous dealings. And these unscrupulous dealings take these billionaires into our political arena where they can wield even more of their sociopathic power, and more easily make even more money. For them, there is never enough money.
These elites are watching these marches. Like the unions they've successfully fought, these elites plan on fighting and preventing such displays of power. They think to themselves and say to each other - - who do these women think they are!!
They own most of Congress and they have the money to hack or manipulate other forces. They see themselves as Kings of the world, and they are going to stop you, so be ready. Always be prepared for their next move. Good luck to all of us.
The greed of the sociopathic elite has gotten us to this point. I say that because 99% of fortunes have truly been made off the backs of the poor (minimum wage/slave wages overtime without pay, etc), and to become one of the top billionaires, you really have to be really cold fish and have lots of unscrupulous dealings. And these unscrupulous dealings take these billionaires into our political arena where they can wield even more of their sociopathic power, and more easily make even more money. For them, there is never enough money.
These elites are watching these marches. Like the unions they've successfully fought, these elites plan on fighting and preventing such displays of power. They think to themselves and say to each other - - who do these women think they are!!
They own most of Congress and they have the money to hack or manipulate other forces. They see themselves as Kings of the world, and they are going to stop you, so be ready. Always be prepared for their next move. Good luck to all of us.
6
I have read this column twice and half the comments when about 55 had been collected. I am glad that the marchers felt pride, glad they got a shot of a shared day everywhere. I hope it was cathartic, catharsis is usually good. But I heard too much about Trump. The real hammer in the room is Paul Ryan and Mich McConnell. Those two and their minons are going to protect Trump, no matter how outrageous he becomes, so that Tump signs their bills. And those bills will send us back to 1920 before women had the right to vote. There is nothing that can stop this. How many marchers can do what it takes to flip the House and the Senate in 2018. A lot of damage is going to be done between now and 2018, and honestly, there is no coalition that has a plan to roll up the Trump thugs in 2018. The march was impressive. But Trump easily took the men's vote and 53% of the white women's. So if a marcher only sees Trump and not Ryan-McConnel-Pence-OrrinHatch then it will be the disappointment of Occupy Wall Street, not the hope Tea Party for sane people. It is going to take a generation to get women's rights back fro 1920 to 1970. Teach your daughters well. In 10 years, may they have movement. For the rest of us "Winter is coming."
12
Last I checked women were > 50% admission to college, medical schools, law schools, pharmacy schools, and numerous other graduate education programs.
I'm not quite sure where you think society is failing women. Because Trump is president? There are myriad other issues going into that, notably Clinton was a terrible candidate irrespective of her gender.
Exactly how are women's rights being threatened? Because abortion may be left up to the states? There are no real issues in this 'march' it seems like more of a women's pride parade, I think we should call it that.
Of course no one can question the actual point of this pride parade without being misogynistic. Sad!
I guess I'll take my privileged white male cis heterosexual self back to my safe space now-
I'm not quite sure where you think society is failing women. Because Trump is president? There are myriad other issues going into that, notably Clinton was a terrible candidate irrespective of her gender.
Exactly how are women's rights being threatened? Because abortion may be left up to the states? There are no real issues in this 'march' it seems like more of a women's pride parade, I think we should call it that.
Of course no one can question the actual point of this pride parade without being misogynistic. Sad!
I guess I'll take my privileged white male cis heterosexual self back to my safe space now-
12
Touché
3
It appears that the NYT prefers to publish stories that support its liberal agenda.
7
This a good column but i recognize the insidious mark of implicit bias, the unconscious acceptance of the patriarchy. A women expects the man to make more money than she does and the man's income must be protected. If the patriarch gets a better income, then woman drops her job and gathers the kids and follows the patriarch. Someday (not in my life time), the guy has to protect the woman's income. That means serious child care, not just dishes and diapers but taking the call from school when the kid is sick or in trouble for fighting and on and on. Birth control too has to become the guy's responsibility. The guy can get the vasectomy or and get this, the guy can take up Vasalgel (RIUSG which is reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance) Wiki that fellows ! A male IUD, 99% effective, good for 10 years, but reversible, unlike the super effective vasectomy. RISUG is ready for the responsible guy in 2017 or 2018. March for that guys. The women can get 500,000 to D.C., march and not set fire to a car or bust a store window. Why can't a man be more like a woman? Women's political power will come when they figure out that parity in pay or rights comes from giving the guy the broom and the Vasalgel (Wiki that) and tells the guy, call your boss, leave work, pickup the sick kid. I have to go march and scare Ryan-Mitch-Trump-Pence. Baby boomers can still dream as we die out. Good luck young mililenials wherever you are.
5
The women's marches were pride marches, where women came out of the closet. Next they will march for marriage rights. I think that will be successful.
Let me put it is way:
The only thing Trump has he can legitimately claim to be bigger than what real, ordinary, every-day working Americans have -- be they black, white, red or brown is an puss-and-tweets stuffed ego.
Everything else is
-- well
-- infinitesimal.
Sad.
The only thing Trump has he can legitimately claim to be bigger than what real, ordinary, every-day working Americans have -- be they black, white, red or brown is an puss-and-tweets stuffed ego.
Everything else is
-- well
-- infinitesimal.
Sad.
5
I just spent my day marching with 100,000 people here in Portland. The organizers only expected 30,000. We were respectful and our message was diverse. Men, women and children. We marched for women's rights. Black lives matter, safety for Muslims, LGBT rights, and immigration rights. We hugged police officers and said thank you.
But the thing that was even more amazing was what happened in the rest of the state. Smaller marches took place in Bend, Eugene, and Salem. My state is purple and these cities are more conservative than Portland. But today we found we have common ground.
Trump woke us up. I read an observation once that said the problem with the gen-x and millennial generations are that we take our rights for granted and we think we have more rights then we do. This election is our aha moment.
Government of the people only works when citizens are engaged. Listen to Michael Moore and start calling your elected officials. For the first time in my life I have and they actually listen and even respond.
This election may be a blessing in disguise.
But the thing that was even more amazing was what happened in the rest of the state. Smaller marches took place in Bend, Eugene, and Salem. My state is purple and these cities are more conservative than Portland. But today we found we have common ground.
Trump woke us up. I read an observation once that said the problem with the gen-x and millennial generations are that we take our rights for granted and we think we have more rights then we do. This election is our aha moment.
Government of the people only works when citizens are engaged. Listen to Michael Moore and start calling your elected officials. For the first time in my life I have and they actually listen and even respond.
This election may be a blessing in disguise.
11
As my wife and I watched the news reporting of the women's marches yesterday, we were delighted to see the morale-building and unifying effects for millions of women who, hopefully, will go on to resist and challenge the Trump administration.
But as professional community organizers, we have doubts about the staying power and ultimate effects of mobilizations that aren't built on long-term organizational and leadership development with a capacity for, and commitment to, effective follow-up. Huge mobilizations that were forgotten in a matter of days is common enough to be a cliche.
My wife asked, did the magnificent demonstration in Washington have a demand, one that could in time be pressed and achieved? And, seemingly, it did not. So she suggested what should be the motto, method, and objective of the anti-Trump movement: "Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!"
But as professional community organizers, we have doubts about the staying power and ultimate effects of mobilizations that aren't built on long-term organizational and leadership development with a capacity for, and commitment to, effective follow-up. Huge mobilizations that were forgotten in a matter of days is common enough to be a cliche.
My wife asked, did the magnificent demonstration in Washington have a demand, one that could in time be pressed and achieved? And, seemingly, it did not. So she suggested what should be the motto, method, and objective of the anti-Trump movement: "Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!"
6
I marched in Washington DC with my husband my 23 year old daughter, my niece and her friends. The fututre is in our young people. They recognize the stakes. They have the most to loose. There were people of all ages, races, walks of life marching but it was the young children who were there that gave me the most encouragement.
5
start organizing now to get out the vote in 2018. if a small group of Republicans could bring us to this moment, the tide can turn the other way in a short period of time. let your voice be heard. call your representatives. participate locally.
5
The sad truth is that we women ourselves often perpetuate the very problems we seek to overcome. We can't have our cake and eat it too. I think having the careers we were all told we could aspire to means we have to sacrifice the image of motherhood we'd grown up with. At some point we need to reconcile this conflicting images of what our future holds, but it can't hold both!
4
I too was a young widow with two small children in the 1970s. Alone in the world, as soon as my youngest was in school full time, I went back to college in order to get a degree to pay my bills and support my family.
It never occurred to me even for one moment to major in a field that would not lead to a solid career, as do the majority of American college students nowadays. The field I chose was mostly for men back then and I not only never "struggled against sexism at every turn", but men have been nothing but helpful to me my entire career.
I am enormously grateful to them for all their kindness, support and, most of us, willingness to share their training and experience. They taught me a lot and are a big part of the reason I have been successful.
But then, starting out with nothing and knowing what it is like not to be able to feed your own children tends to keep a person from spending much time looking for slights in every comment and offense in every situation, while encouraging them to stop whining life isn't fair and just get on with it.
It never occurred to me even for one moment to major in a field that would not lead to a solid career, as do the majority of American college students nowadays. The field I chose was mostly for men back then and I not only never "struggled against sexism at every turn", but men have been nothing but helpful to me my entire career.
I am enormously grateful to them for all their kindness, support and, most of us, willingness to share their training and experience. They taught me a lot and are a big part of the reason I have been successful.
But then, starting out with nothing and knowing what it is like not to be able to feed your own children tends to keep a person from spending much time looking for slights in every comment and offense in every situation, while encouraging them to stop whining life isn't fair and just get on with it.
13
My grandmother was a lawyer and judge. My mother was a writer. I am an academic and a researcher. My sons' role models are all women as their father - my ex-husband - is not as successful professionally as my side of the family. And with all of this in my background, I have had to fight sexism every step of the way. I had to fight for being taken seriously. I had to fight men's assumption that an attractive woman is dumb or at least deferential to their "superior״ judgment. Most of all, I had to fight the belief, expressed by women as well as men, that being a mother is the most important thing in my life. I had my kids very early, and while it was hard financially and physically (try getting ready for a test when your baby is teething), the hardest thing was to be called "the mother of...", as if it was all I was or could ever be. It worked out at the end but yesterday I felt proud and uplifted that so many women, all over the world, stood up and said: "I am not a wife of, a mother of, a helpmate of. I am myself."
7
One could plainly see in Downtown Seattle how many of us Seattle citizens were severely upset by what was going on at the opposite end of the Country. Hordes of those living a long way out made the long trek in to register their collective dismay; JGAIA
4
Ms. Gutting has shown us why there is this movement to organize, march, and contact our politicians to make ourselves heard and hold them accountable for their actions. We are no longer taking the progress we have painstakingly made for granted. I agree with Ms. Gutting that I too feel mortified that it took Donald Trump to wake us up to the reality that all the progress made can be wiped out by the vote or the pen. If we are to learn a lesson from all this is to be ever more vigilant from here on out no matter what party affiliation you have. That is how we can ensure that women will have full equality and control over their bodies. We are powerless on our own when we sit at home and do nothing but mope. We are infinitely more capable when we are unified, organized, and show our opinions or distaste in large numbers. That is what gives people the power. Our numbers and our right to vote. I have always believed that we shouldn't fear being inadequate. I believe that we are capable and powerful beyond measure, individually, and more so when we are united. To not reach this potential should be our fear. We must come together, talk to our representatives, get involved locally, and most importantly we must keep marching forward following women like Ms. Gutting.
3
Today my sister marched in Boston along with over 100,000 others, wearing a silly pink "pussy" hat.
Today my daughter, who could not sleep at all last night because she was so stressed out and scared, bused from Brooklyn to Washington, DC, to march with 500,000 others. I am not sure what she had on her head. But I know what was in her head and her heart.
I spent my day concerned about some business issues and first realized something significant was going on in our country when I, from my bedroom, overheard the amazing press conference held by the new president's press secretary. Frankly, at first I thought I was dreaming...
But no... there was Donald Trump, through his mouthpiece, telling the media that his truth is the truth and the actual truth reported by the responsible media is a lie. He was doing this on the second day of his presidential term and it felt, most of all, like a declaration of war. Donald Trump vs. America.
Remarkable. Ugly. Dangerous.
I imagine I am not the only person reaching out to you this evening. My message to you is simple... please, for the sake of America, keep doing what you are doing. That way the truth will prevail.
The protest movement that exploded today represents exactly what will make America great again.
Today my daughter, who could not sleep at all last night because she was so stressed out and scared, bused from Brooklyn to Washington, DC, to march with 500,000 others. I am not sure what she had on her head. But I know what was in her head and her heart.
I spent my day concerned about some business issues and first realized something significant was going on in our country when I, from my bedroom, overheard the amazing press conference held by the new president's press secretary. Frankly, at first I thought I was dreaming...
But no... there was Donald Trump, through his mouthpiece, telling the media that his truth is the truth and the actual truth reported by the responsible media is a lie. He was doing this on the second day of his presidential term and it felt, most of all, like a declaration of war. Donald Trump vs. America.
Remarkable. Ugly. Dangerous.
I imagine I am not the only person reaching out to you this evening. My message to you is simple... please, for the sake of America, keep doing what you are doing. That way the truth will prevail.
The protest movement that exploded today represents exactly what will make America great again.
9
I marched today in San Francisco and was proud to see the city, in all its diversity, turn out. I especially want to call out the young women, children, and men who attended the March, in fact, I would estimate 40%-50% of the marchers were men, including my brother. Even though it was super-crowded and there was a march against abortion on the same street near the same time and raining, people remained calm, polite, and helpful.
Unlike you, I was raised by a mom who always taught me to be able to support myself, with or without a male, and so I have, since I was 18. Without the need for a financial "crutch," this allowed me to overlook financial resources as a major reason to date someone.
I've been fortunate to have a pretty good life, with supportive males (not just SOs, but friends, bosses, colleagues) at every turn. I march for not just myself but my mom, my aunt, and my grandma, Asian-American women who would never be on the streets themselves but showed me in their words and actions what it mean to be a strong, independent woman.
Unlike you, I was raised by a mom who always taught me to be able to support myself, with or without a male, and so I have, since I was 18. Without the need for a financial "crutch," this allowed me to overlook financial resources as a major reason to date someone.
I've been fortunate to have a pretty good life, with supportive males (not just SOs, but friends, bosses, colleagues) at every turn. I march for not just myself but my mom, my aunt, and my grandma, Asian-American women who would never be on the streets themselves but showed me in their words and actions what it mean to be a strong, independent woman.
4
Elizabeth thank you for your courageous words. I am sorry that you had to learn the lesson of the fragility of women's equality and dignity this way. We fought in the 60s on so that hopefully our daughters could be free of the patriarchy. You and your family will get through this and you will raise a son who is a good man. Sending you all good wishes.
3
I trust many of those young women marching today didn't take too much for granted and vote for Jill Stein or didn't vote at all. Would be a shame if the result was what they now have to spend the next 4 years protesting against.
1
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" Aldous Huxley, 1958
6
What a great relief it was to see so many women march Saturday.
Seeing so much anti-Hillary in the news I began to think there were far fewer women who objected to how the media, Trump and other republicans treated her and many other women, minorities, gays, immigrants, all populations Trump identified as "not worthy".
And I appreciate this article because I have wanted to know where the younger women have been. Good to know you are right here.
Seeing so much anti-Hillary in the news I began to think there were far fewer women who objected to how the media, Trump and other republicans treated her and many other women, minorities, gays, immigrants, all populations Trump identified as "not worthy".
And I appreciate this article because I have wanted to know where the younger women have been. Good to know you are right here.
3
What is this woman even complaining about? Trump has said some "sexist" things, but so what? Are you so thin-skinned that you become hysterical (a fitting word) every time a man says something insulting against women? This constant victimhood and whining is one big reason Trump won.
8
Thank you, Kansas Sam, for reminding us of the ignorance we marched against.
8
In my mind, there were two critical things about today's protests: One was spontaneity--it was established, I think, that people, not just in the US but around the world can mobilize quickly to oppose threats to our future. So while democratic institutions may have failed, participatory democracy asserted itself.
The second is the fact that the demonstrations were organized and led by women. I don't mean to suggest that that is surprising, but I think it demonstrated a paradigm of women as leaders and decision makers, and men as supporters. The results were peaceful, well organized, and, most importantly, effective demonstrations. This represents our best hope for the future of this country.
Obama was a man clearly in touch with his female side. It seems to me that that paradigm of leader--women and men who aren't afraid of them seem to be much safer as leaders of a world that sits on a razor's edge between humanitarian progress and a technological dystopia.
The second is the fact that the demonstrations were organized and led by women. I don't mean to suggest that that is surprising, but I think it demonstrated a paradigm of women as leaders and decision makers, and men as supporters. The results were peaceful, well organized, and, most importantly, effective demonstrations. This represents our best hope for the future of this country.
Obama was a man clearly in touch with his female side. It seems to me that that paradigm of leader--women and men who aren't afraid of them seem to be much safer as leaders of a world that sits on a razor's edge between humanitarian progress and a technological dystopia.
5
Where were all these women, where was all of this enthusiasm, when Hillary was running against Trump? they were busy being hyper-idealistic. Campaigning and voting for fringe political parties because Hillary wasn't perfect or black or Hispanic or champagne socialist enough, that's where they were. Too proud to vote for the "lesser of two evils". Well, now you've got the greater of the two evils; don't pretend it isn't partially your fault. Marching isn't going to fix the disaster that you helped enable.
2
The march was disorganized and lacked a clear message. It was more like a group therapy session where disenfranchised voters could be surrounded by like-minded people. We saw the same baseless accusations that Trump is anti-immigrant, xenophobic, racist, misogynist...etc that were heavily pushed by the mainstream media without much evidence to support them. We also saw quite a few posters describing Trumps' campaign as a "platform of hate and divisiveness", which I find equally ridiculous. The only legitimate grievance they have is possibly on Planned Parenthood.
7
I wasn't at home in St. Louis this morning when at least 10,000 women and men marched in opposition to Donald Trump. Go, St. Louis! Instead I was in Naples FL for the funeral of my 93-year-old Aunt Opal, who died disappointed that we hadn’t elected Hillary to be our president.
Somewhat by accident my brother and I took a walk in a city park where the local women's march ended in a rally.
One of the speakers, a woman who said she was a member of the new Resistance Movement, made a very important point. She said that in the coming months people who voted for Trump, particularly women, were going to experience "buyer's remorse." It is our responsibility to welcome them without making them suffer for what their votes produced.
When did you ever appreciate someone telling you "I told you so"? Did you like being criticized for having bad judgment? As we continue our opposition to Trump and his GOP supporters, we must make sure we do not demean people who decide that they voted for the wrong person.
We are going to need their help in the months ahead to fight the horrible legislation that Trump and his friends are planning. Please do not turn them away. Your judgmentalisman would be counter-productive.
Somewhat by accident my brother and I took a walk in a city park where the local women's march ended in a rally.
One of the speakers, a woman who said she was a member of the new Resistance Movement, made a very important point. She said that in the coming months people who voted for Trump, particularly women, were going to experience "buyer's remorse." It is our responsibility to welcome them without making them suffer for what their votes produced.
When did you ever appreciate someone telling you "I told you so"? Did you like being criticized for having bad judgment? As we continue our opposition to Trump and his GOP supporters, we must make sure we do not demean people who decide that they voted for the wrong person.
We are going to need their help in the months ahead to fight the horrible legislation that Trump and his friends are planning. Please do not turn them away. Your judgmentalisman would be counter-productive.
92
Marching is energizing, but if we really want to make a difference we need to withdraw financial support from anything related to those that would negatively impact women's rights.
59
"Don’t marry until you’re at least 30."
Because, when you are 30, you think with your mind, and when you are younger, you think with your heart ?
I will not be surprised if some of those who marched actually voted for Trump. Not because they are misogynists etc. but because they agree with him on policies that are more important to them. e.g. crime and jobs vis-à-vis LGBTQ and illegal immigrant rights.
That also marks a key difference between these marches (not that they are useless) and voting : Broadly, elections are decided by minds, Marches are driven by hearts.
Because, when you are 30, you think with your mind, and when you are younger, you think with your heart ?
I will not be surprised if some of those who marched actually voted for Trump. Not because they are misogynists etc. but because they agree with him on policies that are more important to them. e.g. crime and jobs vis-à-vis LGBTQ and illegal immigrant rights.
That also marks a key difference between these marches (not that they are useless) and voting : Broadly, elections are decided by minds, Marches are driven by hearts.
2
The lost opportunity to install a female President - over a man who laughingly admitted to the criminal assault of women - will be judged harshly in the light of history.
12
Unless we elect a woman in 2020, I likely won't see a woman president either. That was one of the most heartbreaking things about Trump's electoral victory. I really believed up until the polls closed that we would have the first woman president.
4
The feminist movement has failed to show younger women what it has actually accomplished and how much society has changed. In the 70s, despite earning more than my husband, my salary was not included for a furniture purchase because "I might get pregnant." Younger women have never seen want ads for "males" or "females." They have no knowledge of the ordinary women who fought the everyday battles for equal pay, or for a job that was a "man's." As a result I had to sit in a class on the "Sixties" and listen to a 20 year old tell the class that feminism was a failure, and nothing had changed. Today's marches demonstrate that many generations of women can stand together and say " We will not accept going back!"
11
The energy of the Washington DC march that Ms Gutting describes matches my experience at the march in Madison, Wisconsin. I'm sure that was also the case at marches across the US and around the world.
5
Today's marches demonstrate how to properly respond to the dark, carnage-laden world view of Mr Trump - civility, determination, inclusiveness and hope. Let's get to work.
6
Oh yes! hank you for your thoughts. Thank God you have the presence of mind to realize this. Nothing can ever be taken for granted. Please continue to spread the word and join us, your older sisters, in the continuing struggle and hope for equality. Be well.
6
I have been discouraged by the complacency of young women regarding the last election- not voting because it wasn't Bernie, not realizing that Hillary was a flawed human but so much better than Donald Trump and that she had to succeed in an era past when women were seen as arm candy for powerful men. Now we have an administration with a Stepford wife and daughter that looks like a throwback to the early 60s. Women like Hillary were the pioneers and brave crusaders of that time that allowed today's young women to assume that what they now have is a birthright.
12
What percentage of women, again, voted for Donald Trump? Okay, so lets file all this under- Cute - and start paying more attention to reality.
4
I've read and listened to the stories of women who attended the march over these last weeks. All of them seem to have come to their decisions after careful consideration, reaching out to family and friends or friends of friends or Facebook to locate a place to stay, have numbers to call for help if needed. Unlike many commentators on news shows suggested today, in trying to explain away their surprise at the numbers of participants appearing in marches in the U.S. and all over the world, women/men knew they were coming to this march. Look at the ages of participants; women have more to do than hop on a plane, bus or in a car to zip off to a protest. This came about because of careful consideration and planning. That the press or public didn't foresee how many women and men would attend suggests a need to recalibrate. No woman made plans based on Trump's inauguration speech; they bought their tickets weeks ago. Don't attempt to parse out division in this group; it is many points of view but one strong purpose. Women's rights are human's rights.
8
Hmmm, I wonder if voter turnout might improve if elections were held on a Saturday?
2
"I have been taking for granted the progress my mother’s generation made..." Me too! I also believed we were going to have a woman as our president, and it felt like a death when that didn't happen. I have been so disappointed to hear and see what we've heard and seen for the last 18 months from the man who is now 'president.' I did not march today, but seeing the movement today has inspired me to knit my hat and be ready for the next one. Thank you to those who did march.
5
Thank you, Elizabeth. Your self-awareness, honesty and optimism are an inspiration to us all.
2
I thought of marching.
But I'm pro life and it was made obvious that I was neither needed or wanted on this march.
So don't call it a woman's march, as if all women opposed to Trump were welcome. That's a lie.
"Organizers of the Women’s March remove pro-life group from list of partners"
http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2017/01/17/organizers-of-the-...
But I'm pro life and it was made obvious that I was neither needed or wanted on this march.
So don't call it a woman's march, as if all women opposed to Trump were welcome. That's a lie.
"Organizers of the Women’s March remove pro-life group from list of partners"
http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2017/01/17/organizers-of-the-...
4
I marched to end the Vietnam War; to end racism; to get Hillary not to vote for the Bush War (marched with Code Pink). I went to Obama rallies in 2007 and 2011, and Bernie Rallies last year; and registered hundreds of people to vote. I volunteered in Selma in the 1960s and did that Wall Street thing a couple of years ago. I even voted for "her" though I stopped being with her after the Bush War vote.
But I would not march today, not even here in Norfolk's sister march.
What specifically is the goal? To protest an election that he won? To save whose lives? To show we're sad, mad, disappointed, worried? Yeah, so what?
Unless goals are specific and positive, movements, like Occupy Wall Street, will die. I cannot march to show my hatred of Trump; I have to hope the country gets past hatred.
But I would not march today, not even here in Norfolk's sister march.
What specifically is the goal? To protest an election that he won? To save whose lives? To show we're sad, mad, disappointed, worried? Yeah, so what?
Unless goals are specific and positive, movements, like Occupy Wall Street, will die. I cannot march to show my hatred of Trump; I have to hope the country gets past hatred.
8
I have always taught my daughters that they must earn more than their husbands; when the kids are born, the husbands stay at home to raise them ...
2
Today, marching with 200,000 others in Denver, CO, the tension settled down. The stress of the last weeks since the election was ventilated. I have to add that it wasn't just the signs, the chants, the hats; it was the kindness, the cheerfulness, the sharing. i went in a wheelchair, and strangers helped me over barriers, lifting me and the chair. Friends pushed me over potholes and tracks, and bumps. The sense of generosity, warmth on a very chilly morning, loving kindness, gave me enough to lay aside the anxiety and have faith that with so many of us--men, women, children--the forces of greed and power will not prevail. Our goodness was a tsunami today, a powerful force for washing away fear.
8
Thank you!
1
Just attended the Women's March in San Luis Obispo, California. There were 7800 registered but estimates indicate something like 10,000 marched. The whole day was upbeat, exhilarating, and fun. The organizers spoke of human rights over and over again. Attendees ranged from babies to women I know are in their 80's. Plenty of spouses and friends attended; I'd guesstimate that about 30% of the marchers were men. What made me proud was to see young women who are finally realizing that their rights are in jeopardy. Gutting is right, we've forgotten what the fight was like and not emphasized how important it is to keep up the struggle. If any one had told me back in the 70's that we'd still be facing legal challenges to rights we thought were secure, I'd have laughed. I'm not laughing now.
63
I found myself marching today in Madison, Wisconsin. Though not mentioned by the national media, I was not alone. In fact, I was part of a crowd estimated to be 75,000 to 100,000 in size. Why was I marching? Simply because I oppose every single thing Donald Trump wants to do, from privatizing education to killing Obamacare to supporting voter suppression to denying and making climate change worse and the rest of his basket of deplorable ideas. I will continue to protest until congress figures out we are serious and if they want to keep their jobs, they better listen.
83
Don't just protest....organize! Run for office! Make your representatives' lives miserable until they listen.
1
Seven Steps to Victory--
--
...Marching is not enough. "Solidarity," is not enough...
--
President Donald J. Trump must be impeached. It's the only way that will work.
--
Here's what to do--
1. Take heart! As soon as things begin to go badly, Congress will turn "on a dime!" against President Trump.
2. Be in sympathy with the Republican Majority. ["What!?"] Remember. Most Establishment Republicans despise Trump, even as President. They are not about to forget how he literally, "stole" the Nomination from them in 2016.
3. Be bold! and high minded. Remind those in Congress, who know "the ins and outs" of our Constitution, that using the law to impeach Trump is the only honorable thing to do.
4. Be patient. Donald Trump will eventually break the law. He is an uncontrollable brute who acts on impulse, lies habitually, and glories only in the use of force. Being President won't break any of his habits.
5. Keep your eyes open! "Winning is everything," is a dangerous motto. To keep winning, the President will be tempted, sooner or later, to thrust himself into some dark corner, and then he will be forced to lie his way out, as Nixon did.
6. Be organized. Know when and how to influence those who who have the power to impeach. Start drafting letters now.
7. Be ready! Trump will transgress. And when he does, prepare to exert maximum, unrelenting pressure, "to force him out!"
--
We can win. But we must use the law. Let's start now.
--
...Marching is not enough. "Solidarity," is not enough...
--
President Donald J. Trump must be impeached. It's the only way that will work.
--
Here's what to do--
1. Take heart! As soon as things begin to go badly, Congress will turn "on a dime!" against President Trump.
2. Be in sympathy with the Republican Majority. ["What!?"] Remember. Most Establishment Republicans despise Trump, even as President. They are not about to forget how he literally, "stole" the Nomination from them in 2016.
3. Be bold! and high minded. Remind those in Congress, who know "the ins and outs" of our Constitution, that using the law to impeach Trump is the only honorable thing to do.
4. Be patient. Donald Trump will eventually break the law. He is an uncontrollable brute who acts on impulse, lies habitually, and glories only in the use of force. Being President won't break any of his habits.
5. Keep your eyes open! "Winning is everything," is a dangerous motto. To keep winning, the President will be tempted, sooner or later, to thrust himself into some dark corner, and then he will be forced to lie his way out, as Nixon did.
6. Be organized. Know when and how to influence those who who have the power to impeach. Start drafting letters now.
7. Be ready! Trump will transgress. And when he does, prepare to exert maximum, unrelenting pressure, "to force him out!"
--
We can win. But we must use the law. Let's start now.
2
This administration fully intends to tell every female citizen in this country that they have neither the moral compass nor the intelligence to determine what is best for them and their families when it comes to family planning.
Imagine telling your wife , your mother , your daughter that they are basically the same as brood farm animals. Too stupid to figure out what is in their own best interests. And , immoral to boot.
Now that abortion rates are at a national low because of contraception and education , the administration will also work to limit or inhibit entirely the dispensing of contraception. Not because the administration really believes this hypocritical nonsense , but because the GOP knows full well that the Bible beaters and fanatics compose some 20% of those that vote.
Accordingly the desires of this 20% comprises the proverbial tail that is wagging the 80% or so of the population that endorses Roe
It is beyond shameful , this treatment of our women as chattel not citizens. Every woman forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term against her wishes should turn that child over to the tender mercies and care of an administration that has absolutely no business making such personal , intimate decisions for any citizen
Women are not brood sows and it is the pigs who treat them as such that really belong in the pigpens to be found in both the Oval Office and the right side of the aisle in Congress as they treat the American female like the slave that she is not
Imagine telling your wife , your mother , your daughter that they are basically the same as brood farm animals. Too stupid to figure out what is in their own best interests. And , immoral to boot.
Now that abortion rates are at a national low because of contraception and education , the administration will also work to limit or inhibit entirely the dispensing of contraception. Not because the administration really believes this hypocritical nonsense , but because the GOP knows full well that the Bible beaters and fanatics compose some 20% of those that vote.
Accordingly the desires of this 20% comprises the proverbial tail that is wagging the 80% or so of the population that endorses Roe
It is beyond shameful , this treatment of our women as chattel not citizens. Every woman forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term against her wishes should turn that child over to the tender mercies and care of an administration that has absolutely no business making such personal , intimate decisions for any citizen
Women are not brood sows and it is the pigs who treat them as such that really belong in the pigpens to be found in both the Oval Office and the right side of the aisle in Congress as they treat the American female like the slave that she is not
7
The number one grievance that women should be protesting is not Trump's misogyny or his objectification of women. Those are evidence of bad character. Immediately before the election, we learned that Trump groped 12 women. That is criminal behavior that makes his election perverse. Had those allegations stuck, the message against Trump would have been universal and all of us should have been out there marching. But the day after the election the allegations went away and have not returned in force. Nothing sickened me about Trump more than the evidence that he was a serial abuser. And nothing shocked me more than the sudden evaporation of the issue. As far as I am concerned that was the greatest travesty of the campaign and the second greatest would be the failure to come forward with an explanation.
3
@ Michjas: "...Immediately before the election, we learned that Trump groped 12 women..."
If these were unproven allegations, how again did "we" learn them?
If these were unproven allegations, how again did "we" learn them?
3
marching must lead to organizing and become a movement if it is to have an effect.
that's one lesson that we learned in the movements of the 1960s and 1970s. I was there. I know.
and organize to retire all the Congressional people who care about only preserving their job and purse. they've used their perks and more to go from modest or less means to wealth. don't shed a tear for them.
that's one lesson that we learned in the movements of the 1960s and 1970s. I was there. I know.
and organize to retire all the Congressional people who care about only preserving their job and purse. they've used their perks and more to go from modest or less means to wealth. don't shed a tear for them.
4
Today the women’s march took over midtown Manhattan. Surely one of the biggest public protests ever in NY. Women and men of all ages there know this is serious.
I tried to join it late, and couldn’t get near the Trump Tower 5th Ave Royal Palace. All blocked off---police let people leave, but not enter---the turnout was much higher than expected. But you could hear the periodic roar of the huge crowd from blocks away. The TV won’t do it justice.
I did attend the exciting NYC anti Trump rally Jan. 19---much easier to get to---outside the Trump Hotel near Central Park. The crowd of thousands was heartened by the positive, realistic, assertive messages of Mayor DeBlasio, Michael Moore, Baldwin, Ruffalo, Cher, and Rosie Perez, and many others. They didn’t minimize what we face. “This is the beginning of the 100 days of resistance” they said.
The crowd listened intently to their messages---get real, stop expecting any Trump moderation and compromise, don’t be passive and resigned, or hope for the best.
Also fascinating to read the rationalizations of many women who voted for Trump. See NYT article “ ‘You Focus on the Good’: Women Who Voted for Trump, in Their Own Words” by Susan Chira, Jan 14.
Says, “....millions of women went to the polls for Mr. Trump...including 53 percent of white women.”
Wonder what they think of massive protests against the man they voted for, by women across the nation and the world today?
I tried to join it late, and couldn’t get near the Trump Tower 5th Ave Royal Palace. All blocked off---police let people leave, but not enter---the turnout was much higher than expected. But you could hear the periodic roar of the huge crowd from blocks away. The TV won’t do it justice.
I did attend the exciting NYC anti Trump rally Jan. 19---much easier to get to---outside the Trump Hotel near Central Park. The crowd of thousands was heartened by the positive, realistic, assertive messages of Mayor DeBlasio, Michael Moore, Baldwin, Ruffalo, Cher, and Rosie Perez, and many others. They didn’t minimize what we face. “This is the beginning of the 100 days of resistance” they said.
The crowd listened intently to their messages---get real, stop expecting any Trump moderation and compromise, don’t be passive and resigned, or hope for the best.
Also fascinating to read the rationalizations of many women who voted for Trump. See NYT article “ ‘You Focus on the Good’: Women Who Voted for Trump, in Their Own Words” by Susan Chira, Jan 14.
Says, “....millions of women went to the polls for Mr. Trump...including 53 percent of white women.”
Wonder what they think of massive protests against the man they voted for, by women across the nation and the world today?
5
To all those around the globe who marched today and to the extensive coverage in all the mainstream media... THANK YOU. After yesterday's soulless dark dismal display of "American Carnage " you helped lift the hearts of millions and gave us back some hope for good hearts over hateful ones. Thank you all.
I'll be there with you next time.
I'll be there with you next time.
5
I was crying after the election of President Trump but they were tears of joy. I also did my happy dance because I never dreamed he had a chance of being voted president. We had seen eight years filled with failed policies and a broken economy. Hillary Clinton would have been more of the same and probably even worse.
Donald Trump was not a career politician and was beholden to no one. He appeared positive and had excellent ideas to make America great again. He listened to the people's concerns and they in return gave him their vote. The people in middle America and rural areas were hurting financially and having a difficult time making ends meet. Neither political party took them seriously until Donald Trump appeared. He felt their pain and they trusted he would deliver on his promises. They do not regret their voting for President Trump and are very excited about the wonderful changes that are coming to the US.
Donald Trump was not a career politician and was beholden to no one. He appeared positive and had excellent ideas to make America great again. He listened to the people's concerns and they in return gave him their vote. The people in middle America and rural areas were hurting financially and having a difficult time making ends meet. Neither political party took them seriously until Donald Trump appeared. He felt their pain and they trusted he would deliver on his promises. They do not regret their voting for President Trump and are very excited about the wonderful changes that are coming to the US.
3
Another PR piece supporting the protest.
The NYT has promoted this protest as strongly as it demonized conservatives who protested President Obama.
Further proof that the NYT is just a bloated version of Slate. Lame.
The NYT has promoted this protest as strongly as it demonized conservatives who protested President Obama.
Further proof that the NYT is just a bloated version of Slate. Lame.
4
My daughter gets it; my sons, raised only by me, don't understand what "this women's movement thing" is about. When I told them that when I graduated from college there were only two medical schools where women could go to study to become doctors. "That's ridiculous," they said in tandem. Probing further it seems they didn't get the issue because they had been raised by me alone and I seemed to them to be able to handle everything, including establishing a successful legal career after going to law school as a single mother, taking care of them through thick and thick and signing all the checks for their college educations. So, march on nasty women, and carry signs that draw attention to the demands placed on you and shout and be angry and let's do it until even those that have benefitted the most from our marathons through their lives join us because they get it and because we tell them they need to join us.
6
I get the sense that your sons "don't understand what this women's movement thing is about" is because they currently live in the present. At this moment 60% of Undergraduate admissions are female, 46.7% of Medical School admissions are female, men have a five times higher suicide rate than women, and the male gender on average lives 4.8 years less than women. This is not mention the epidemic of rape happening in male prisons, the unfair burden of registering for the draft, rigid traditional expectations still being applied to males. Explaining these inequities, the modern feminist movement relates blame on the individual choices of men, rather than applying the same standards they apply to their feminist ideology; unfair societal norms/forces at play.
I agree with your sons. I would go a step further, the modern feminist movement is living very simply in the past. This explains the disconnect of older women vs. younger women and their corresponding votes for Mrs. Clinton. Today is not pre-1920, thank god. The modern feminist movement needs to get up to speed, acknowledge the problems facing both sexes, and recognize that women are real people too and have flaws as well (Mrs. Clinton was not the ideal candidate to beat Trump).
I agree with your sons. I would go a step further, the modern feminist movement is living very simply in the past. This explains the disconnect of older women vs. younger women and their corresponding votes for Mrs. Clinton. Today is not pre-1920, thank god. The modern feminist movement needs to get up to speed, acknowledge the problems facing both sexes, and recognize that women are real people too and have flaws as well (Mrs. Clinton was not the ideal candidate to beat Trump).
3
A sign I saw at the Washington march today:
Mr. Trump, please take note,
WE ARE
THE POPULAR VOTE.
There is not much evidence the new president cares, but other elected officials know there is no wide mandate for the gutting of rights Trump has proposed. We need to show up and remind of that whenever Congressional action threatens our health, our dignity, our security, or the breadth of our democracy.
Mr. Trump, please take note,
WE ARE
THE POPULAR VOTE.
There is not much evidence the new president cares, but other elected officials know there is no wide mandate for the gutting of rights Trump has proposed. We need to show up and remind of that whenever Congressional action threatens our health, our dignity, our security, or the breadth of our democracy.
4
Ms. Gutting, while I feel for your financial predicament now that your husband is out of work, please do not blame President Trump for Crooked Hillary's failings, and your family's bad swing of luck.
Please also don't presume to speak for women like myself -- Trump supporters -- for whom the liberal policies you and your ilk supported brought nothing but devastation and ruin.
The tide is turning, and feminism needs to adapt to account for women who support life at all stages, not just birth, and women who prefer to live in a country that protects its own rather than subsidizes global trade.
Please also don't presume to speak for women like myself -- Trump supporters -- for whom the liberal policies you and your ilk supported brought nothing but devastation and ruin.
The tide is turning, and feminism needs to adapt to account for women who support life at all stages, not just birth, and women who prefer to live in a country that protects its own rather than subsidizes global trade.
1
Believe me, feminism was not casually forgotten. It was systematically crushed by men running corporations, re-normalizing sexism. See the Mario Brothers' females being nothing but helpless princess kissing and baking cakes- in 1980! The younger generation was silent. Now, just try to buy a birthday card for a female friend. The displays are segregated. It's either pink and lace- that's not her at all- or funny jokes about a mug of beer- good, she likes beer- but proffered by buxom cheerleaders. This is now touted as normal, just the way it is and has to be.
You know, if greeting cards were segregated "White" and "Colored", maybe then someone would notice what is being done to us all in the name of corporate profit.
You know, if greeting cards were segregated "White" and "Colored", maybe then someone would notice what is being done to us all in the name of corporate profit.
5
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, power is ever stealing from the many to the few - Wendell Phillips. We have marched before, we are marching now, and we will certainly march again. And eventually we will secure the liberties to which we are manifestly entitled. Full and equal rights for women. I march for my mother, myself and my daughters. I march for my sisters, wherever they are.
4
Your analysis of your personal assumptions about the financial aspects of marriage/family relative to your feminist principles, the impetus for which was your husband's sudden and unexpected job loss due to Trump winning the election, is insightful. My wife and I met and became immediately involved early in college and we went off to law school together. We never had children, by choice. We have both worked full time in private practice, and given that we graduated in 1980 have had the fortune of good careers. Although I have worked hard and done well, my wife is very competitive and has made more income than me in most years--which is known to our friends and has never bothered me. I admire my wife for having done well in a business dominated by men (somewhat less so recently, but certainly for the first 20 years of her career), and having pursued her work as the core of her life. Very few of us, men or women, can "have it all." But at least women can now actually choose to take a path which not so long ago was not accepted by society for women.
4
Women of the World, Unite.
I know it's an extremely wide generality I make here, but without women leading us men toward a saner understanding of the human condition we men will continue to be barbarians at the gate. Marching off at the drop of a hat, or rattle of a saber, to foreign lands, once again accomplishing nothing but making us good cannon fodder.
Men, stop obsessing over maintaining your machismo, and stop gulping those magic blue pills to increase your stamina. Men like Trump and Vlad the Impaler, who I've seen shirtless more times than Matthew McConaughy, and far more than I care to, are possessed of this burning desire apparently to flex their bellicose muscles. Muscles, by the way, men now lovingly refer to them as their "guns" (well, isn't that special?). Their need to do this is simply for the sheer sake of proving they have not long passed the point of potency.
Enough with brutish beasts like Donny and Vlad. Women, please put these men in their place. The male ego is extremely fragile. It will not take much to undo these two egotistical braggarts. Do it now, before they blow up the world.
DD
Manhattan
I know it's an extremely wide generality I make here, but without women leading us men toward a saner understanding of the human condition we men will continue to be barbarians at the gate. Marching off at the drop of a hat, or rattle of a saber, to foreign lands, once again accomplishing nothing but making us good cannon fodder.
Men, stop obsessing over maintaining your machismo, and stop gulping those magic blue pills to increase your stamina. Men like Trump and Vlad the Impaler, who I've seen shirtless more times than Matthew McConaughy, and far more than I care to, are possessed of this burning desire apparently to flex their bellicose muscles. Muscles, by the way, men now lovingly refer to them as their "guns" (well, isn't that special?). Their need to do this is simply for the sheer sake of proving they have not long passed the point of potency.
Enough with brutish beasts like Donny and Vlad. Women, please put these men in their place. The male ego is extremely fragile. It will not take much to undo these two egotistical braggarts. Do it now, before they blow up the world.
DD
Manhattan
7
I'm a female boomer who was beyond devastated by the election of Trump over Hillary Clinton. I was so looking forward to having a female President, but I also love Hillary Clinton specifically. After the horror of the inauguration Friday, I marched today in St. Petersburg, FL with my husband, and it was magical. Women, men and children, black, white, brown, Muslim, Christians, LGBTQ, all came together to make our feelings known about women's rights, immigrants' rights, religious rights, climate change, racism, education, peace, healthcare. Not in so many words, but by signs, songs, chants and just seeing and being with each other. I am energized by this march, and all the others here and all over the world, knowing that there are millions of people out there and together we can still change the world! It's going to take a lot of work, but the good thing about Trump is that we are coming together in defiance. I would like to grab hold of this momentum and carry it forward in a meaningful way. I hope that others in the USA and the world feel the same way. Let's don't let this flame go out!
6
Political appointees should expect to be out of a job every few years. This is not a single-party state, and when a party loses (or even when the administration changes to another of the same party) political appointees lose their jobs. It's part of the deal. Usually they are quite employable, peddling influence in the private sector, or sometimes even earning an honest living. Competent lawyers with government experience are in demand.
No one should get a humanities or MFA degree and expect it to lead to a well-paying job. That has nothing to do with being a woman---it has to do with vanity and self-indulgence. Male MFAs are waiting tables.
No one should get a humanities or MFA degree and expect it to lead to a well-paying job. That has nothing to do with being a woman---it has to do with vanity and self-indulgence. Male MFAs are waiting tables.
4
Annie and i marched in New York City. It was the largest crowd I've ever been in and the estimates are all over the place, ranging from 200,000 up to 500,000. What the news coverage isn't mentioning is that there were at least two "shifts" of marchers: the crowd turned over at least twice. We started marching at nearly 3 and didn't finish until 5:30. The crowd moved at a very slow walk and sometimes standing still.
The crowd had all ages and kinds, people brought their kids. It was peaceful and very well behaved.
Everybody in the crowd knows that these marches, by themselves, won't stop Trump and the Republicans from hurting many Americans. The question now is what will.
The crowd had all ages and kinds, people brought their kids. It was peaceful and very well behaved.
Everybody in the crowd knows that these marches, by themselves, won't stop Trump and the Republicans from hurting many Americans. The question now is what will.
9
AS usual the neo 'Left' overdo everything. If the DNC had chosen Warren as most of us eventual Sanders supporters originally wanted we would have a women POTUS now just as we would have a good man Sanders there if the media and the DNC had not already made their mind up to push for 'her Turn' just because her foreign policy values are closer to McCain's and McConnell's than Sander or Obama's in their desire to provoke Russia.
At 55 years old I find my old Party have become the enemy and in this I include the ultimate betrayal of the NYT, which like the UK Guardian, is now mocked in the UK by anti Blairite Labor (Corbyn fans, UKs version of 'Bernie fans) as the Daily Mails mirror so the NYT has become the DNC's FOX.
AS depressing as Trump as POTUS, the media's utter failure to do it's job to tell us the truth (hence the focus on hunting the whistle blower truth tellers like Assange, Snowdon ; Manning and 2014 Pulitizer prize winning Glen Greenwald) is the speed by which once fellow Democrats have become war mongering McCarthyists believing everything wrong between the USA and Russia is Russia's fault, even this last election.
Even Obama does not believe this. Whether or not this is printed here it will be printed in other places and there I will mention how my comments once accepted 95% of the time are now done maybe 5% of the time. I am beyond outraged just as I am depressed. How quickly folk forget their values putting loyalty to party above, truth and the American way.
At 55 years old I find my old Party have become the enemy and in this I include the ultimate betrayal of the NYT, which like the UK Guardian, is now mocked in the UK by anti Blairite Labor (Corbyn fans, UKs version of 'Bernie fans) as the Daily Mails mirror so the NYT has become the DNC's FOX.
AS depressing as Trump as POTUS, the media's utter failure to do it's job to tell us the truth (hence the focus on hunting the whistle blower truth tellers like Assange, Snowdon ; Manning and 2014 Pulitizer prize winning Glen Greenwald) is the speed by which once fellow Democrats have become war mongering McCarthyists believing everything wrong between the USA and Russia is Russia's fault, even this last election.
Even Obama does not believe this. Whether or not this is printed here it will be printed in other places and there I will mention how my comments once accepted 95% of the time are now done maybe 5% of the time. I am beyond outraged just as I am depressed. How quickly folk forget their values putting loyalty to party above, truth and the American way.
5
A good and honest column. I so appreciate the acknowledgement that a divide had developed beween the earlier feminists and the younger women. That turned into accusations of taking progess for granted, or that the older women were obsolete, etc. etc. So destructive!
This march, this president has brought together the generations as nothing else has before. There is always much work to be done, and when women turn on each other, progress stops. Many speakers today spoke of black, immigrant, white, all kinds of women needing to realize that together we have the necessary power to finally prevent our rights being taken away. I am thrilled that women are showing we can grow and learn to be stronger together.
Maybe some day we will finally get the ERA so as to remove the need to fight some of these battles. The defeat in 1982 broke my heart -- I really thought the country was ready to declare us equal. Now in 2017 we get Trump.
Yes, we have more work to do!
This march, this president has brought together the generations as nothing else has before. There is always much work to be done, and when women turn on each other, progress stops. Many speakers today spoke of black, immigrant, white, all kinds of women needing to realize that together we have the necessary power to finally prevent our rights being taken away. I am thrilled that women are showing we can grow and learn to be stronger together.
Maybe some day we will finally get the ERA so as to remove the need to fight some of these battles. The defeat in 1982 broke my heart -- I really thought the country was ready to declare us equal. Now in 2017 we get Trump.
Yes, we have more work to do!
3
Thousands of women marched against Trump. Yes, I know, they all voted for Hillary and lost. What part of peaceful transition of power do they not understand?
3
We did not march against Trump as much as for human rights. The marches were peaceful and had no effect on the "transition of power." The problems in the transition was due to the lack of experience, judgment and concern, on the part of the incoming administration.
2
What part of having your rights and dignity as an American citizen taken away do you fail to understand ? Child bearing requires the participation of dolts like yourself who bear no responsibility whatever for the result.
I guess in your mind , women should forego their rights as citizens and march peacefully into the ovens of slavery that this administration is busy preparing for them.
I guess in your mind , women should forego their rights as citizens and march peacefully into the ovens of slavery that this administration is busy preparing for them.
4
I marched today locally with my 2-year-old son. I grew up in a faith community (Quakers) where it was unusual not to know someone who had been arrested at the Nevada test site or had marched for human rights. For the past few years, I thought my marching days were past. Today, making protest t-shirts and gathering with others, I realized they've just begun.
40
No, you didn't expect to make less than your husband. You expected your husband to make more than you, to support the family while you were able to work at an emotionally satisfying job, and he worked as a political lawyer with a lot of risk. Do you think those expectations and pressures are easy for men?
You actually pointed out the sexism in your logic, and then failed to realize it. How disappointing.
You actually pointed out the sexism in your logic, and then failed to realize it. How disappointing.
6
"I felt ashamed that it took the dread of Donald J. Trump to wake me up to the reality that progress is never permanent, or certain."
I felt ashamed too, that I have profited from all the work and sacrifices of other women, so today I marched. In Ann Arbor Michigan my family and I marched. Strollers to wheelchairs, people and families marched. I was surprised and heartened by the numbers of fathers with sons and daughters who marched. It was a beautiful experience.
I felt ashamed too, that I have profited from all the work and sacrifices of other women, so today I marched. In Ann Arbor Michigan my family and I marched. Strollers to wheelchairs, people and families marched. I was surprised and heartened by the numbers of fathers with sons and daughters who marched. It was a beautiful experience.
58
MD - i recommend this short film to get a perspective on where we've come in 100 years. Yet there is still work to do.
https://youtu.be/zGJTHi0rliA
(If the link doesn't work - go to YouTube and search "A Jury of Her Peers."
https://youtu.be/zGJTHi0rliA
(If the link doesn't work - go to YouTube and search "A Jury of Her Peers."
Yesterday was a great day, but it was only the beginning. Now, each and every one of us who value and demand civil rights, human rights, and respect for the rule of law and our Constitution must become daily activists - constantly contact our representatives on federal, state and local levels (something the right has done for years) and volunteer for progressive causes.
Although the new president seems not to have noticed (given the absence of tweets thus far on the marches), he has awakened a sleeping giant of energy and determination to take back our lives, control over our own bodies, and civil rights from those who would deny them to us.
Although the new president seems not to have noticed (given the absence of tweets thus far on the marches), he has awakened a sleeping giant of energy and determination to take back our lives, control over our own bodies, and civil rights from those who would deny them to us.
13
Oh he noticed. His backlash was to lie (via his press secretary)blatantly that his inauguration had the biggest crowd ever. He has the
emotional maturity of an 8 year old. Our job is to keep him sulking when the focus is not all on him
As for the Republican congress, we need to hit them where it hurts, in the wallet. Boycott their sponsors/ lobbyists.
emotional maturity of an 8 year old. Our job is to keep him sulking when the focus is not all on him
As for the Republican congress, we need to hit them where it hurts, in the wallet. Boycott their sponsors/ lobbyists.
3
The great numbers of women who merged for the day despite many different paths and goals gave me hope. The participation of younger women, like the writer, along with a lot of young men was even more wonderful, because without them, there will be no resistance to destroying what limited safety net we have, and to accepting the rule of corporate titans.
55
The March participants estimate applies to the U.S. only.
6
Yes. Most of news stories use the word "hundreds of thousands". Actually, when you start counting, there were over a million in the U.S. only. This does not even include participants in other countries.
1
May millions of women are in solidarity with what you've experienced and today we connected, we opened our hearts, and marched all over the world.At least 370 marches took place in U.S. cities, and 600 cities around the world. Estimated participation -- adding in smaller cities to this list, likely puts participation at 6 million. Estimated umber of participants:
Albuquerque, NM - 10,000; Atlanta, GA - 60,000, Ashville, NC - 7,000 to 10,000; Bend, OR - 3,000; Boston - 170,000; Chicago - 250,000; Cleveland -15,000; Cobleskill, NY - 100,000; Fairbanks, AL (& other Alaskan cities/towns) - 6,500; Fresno/Oakhurst/Visalia/Yosemite, CA - 4,000+; Oahu, Honolulu & smaller cities - 5,000; Helena, MT - 10,000; Houston,TX - 23,000; Las Vegas, NV - 15,000; Lexington, KY - 5,000; Little Rock, AR - 7,000; Los Angeles, CA - 750,000; Madison, WI - 75,000; Miami, FL - 10,000; Montpelier, VT - 20,000
New York - 400,000; Oklahoma, OH - 12,000; Oakland, CA - 60,000; Orange, CA - 20,000; Park City, UT - 8,000; Portland, OR - 100,000; Reno, NV - 10,000; San Diego - 30,000 to 40,000; San Francisco - 100,000+; San Jose - 25,000; Seattle -130,000; Seneca Falls, NY - 10,000; St. Lewis - 10,000; St. Paul - 100,000; Tallahassee - 15,000; Washington, D.C. - 500,000+ (1,000 *more* buses were required to take attendees to the Women’s March than to the inauguration); Yakima, WA - 12,000. I'm confident the total number of participants will grown when all cities and towns are counted.
Albuquerque, NM - 10,000; Atlanta, GA - 60,000, Ashville, NC - 7,000 to 10,000; Bend, OR - 3,000; Boston - 170,000; Chicago - 250,000; Cleveland -15,000; Cobleskill, NY - 100,000; Fairbanks, AL (& other Alaskan cities/towns) - 6,500; Fresno/Oakhurst/Visalia/Yosemite, CA - 4,000+; Oahu, Honolulu & smaller cities - 5,000; Helena, MT - 10,000; Houston,TX - 23,000; Las Vegas, NV - 15,000; Lexington, KY - 5,000; Little Rock, AR - 7,000; Los Angeles, CA - 750,000; Madison, WI - 75,000; Miami, FL - 10,000; Montpelier, VT - 20,000
New York - 400,000; Oklahoma, OH - 12,000; Oakland, CA - 60,000; Orange, CA - 20,000; Park City, UT - 8,000; Portland, OR - 100,000; Reno, NV - 10,000; San Diego - 30,000 to 40,000; San Francisco - 100,000+; San Jose - 25,000; Seattle -130,000; Seneca Falls, NY - 10,000; St. Lewis - 10,000; St. Paul - 100,000; Tallahassee - 15,000; Washington, D.C. - 500,000+ (1,000 *more* buses were required to take attendees to the Women’s March than to the inauguration); Yakima, WA - 12,000. I'm confident the total number of participants will grown when all cities and towns are counted.
80
In Michigan, two that I'm aware of: Lansing, 8,000+ and Ann Arbor, 11,000+. And even here in the west Michigan heart of the Trumpian, DeVosian, right wing Bible belt, Kalamazoo turned out 1,000 and Grand Rapids, "hundreds."
I marched in Austin, TX. Estimated that 50,000 marched in Austin, TX
Add Denver, CO: 100,000
The election is over.
It is nice you feel good about marching if the future of democracy is about you feeling good.
Based on Times coverage the future of democracy is about you feeling good and Chelsea Manning and other transgendered and reparations.
I suspect the future of democracy is about votes and competent candidates. But go ahead and repeat the 2016 debacle if it makes you feel good about yourself.
It is nice you feel good about marching if the future of democracy is about you feeling good.
Based on Times coverage the future of democracy is about you feeling good and Chelsea Manning and other transgendered and reparations.
I suspect the future of democracy is about votes and competent candidates. But go ahead and repeat the 2016 debacle if it makes you feel good about yourself.
10
the 2018 election prep is beginning. politics is a continuous exercise - and .that is a piece of what these marches signify. Nothing ends with a single election.
41
I did not march "to feel good." I feel good already. I marched for those who did NOT feel good....the hundreds of millions who will lose their health insurance or access to healthcare, their jobs to continued outsourcing overseas, their chance for self-determination because their right to decide when to have a child is taken away, the ability to marry whom they wish, to be safe from life-threatening prejudice because of the color of their skin, religion, or nationality.
Many of these issues will not affect me directly and that's what you don't understand. It's not about ME, it's about WE.
Many of these issues will not affect me directly and that's what you don't understand. It's not about ME, it's about WE.
68
@ In deed. The election is over. The resistance to Trump's fascism has now begun. You don't get that yet. But you will.
3
Older women's advice to put off marriage has caused a lot of heartache for many who would have liked to be mothers, and ended up waiting too late. Not everyone is interested in a career-type job. But, that doesn't mean everyone shouldn't earn a living wage. As I see it the real problem is that wages, for everyone, are too low. THAT is what helped put Trump in the White House.
26
Yes, Daisy, wages are too low. So they vote for a person that said: I think having a low minimum wage is not a bad thing for this country.”
Donald Trump, Aug. 20, 2015
Hillary Clinton embraced a $15/hr. minimum wage.
If wages are too low, and that put Trump in the White House, the real problem is that those voters didn't LISTEN, or THINK. If any middle class person, or poor person in this country thinks Donald Trump has your best interests at hand, you are sorely mistaken. As Donald said after the Nevada primary win, "I love the poorly educated!"
Donald Trump, Aug. 20, 2015
Hillary Clinton embraced a $15/hr. minimum wage.
If wages are too low, and that put Trump in the White House, the real problem is that those voters didn't LISTEN, or THINK. If any middle class person, or poor person in this country thinks Donald Trump has your best interests at hand, you are sorely mistaken. As Donald said after the Nevada primary win, "I love the poorly educated!"
6
What putbTrump in the whitehouse.
1. Muslim leaders trying to take over.
2 Men being allowed in a little girls bathroom.
3 Unchecked immigration
4 Racial divide brought on by Obama
5 America not being at the forefront of our leaders decision the last 3 presidents.
6 Proposed UN law to de-arm the USA and flood it with over 1/2 billion of the worlds worst people.
1. Muslim leaders trying to take over.
2 Men being allowed in a little girls bathroom.
3 Unchecked immigration
4 Racial divide brought on by Obama
5 America not being at the forefront of our leaders decision the last 3 presidents.
6 Proposed UN law to de-arm the USA and flood it with over 1/2 billion of the worlds worst people.
2
To all of us who believe and delight in our shared humanity, today's Women's March is a point of great pride.
84
It is too easy to become disheartened and complacent, especially when you are stuck in the middle of nowhere. But, today, my daughter texted me pictures of herself and her two girls at the march in Raleigh. I cried. I am so proud, encouraged and even hopeful. The arc of justice is long, and I believe in karma.
130
I marched in phx arizona, my oldest daughter marched in grand rapids, michigan, and my youngest daughter in flagstaff, az. there's nothing we would have preferred then to march together in the same city, but marching in solidarity in three different cities was perhaps even more meaningful.i cried from joy receiving texts from them at the marches. Together, we will be ok!
2
The number one grievance that women should share is not Trump's misogyny and not women's rights.
1
Well what is it then?
2
So, what is it?
2
And that woul be?
2
When I was 13 my mother handed me The Feminine Mystique, and said: here, you're going to need this. This didn't really translate in our relationship moving forward, as I was the youngest, and therefore, I realized, her last hope of a child going to university (I did), and getting married (I did, eventually, for a period), and have children (I did not). When I was single and hitting 30, she informed me that if I was a lesbian (I am not), that it would be OK to tell her.
Years of therapy, for 'other family issues', allowed me to examine these expectations of my mother. I realized that she wanted me to do things that she had not been able to do, career wise, and also still wanted me to be traditional and have my babies before I turned 35. In short: it was a stacked deck she dealt me, and I sensed that if I didn't disappoint her for not having it all or doing it all, that I confused her with my life choices. I'm OK with that now, as I've done my work and know the difference between doing something because someone else wants you to, and doing it becasue you want to. Sadly for me, I married a man much like my mother--he wanted me to do it all, too (make heaps of money and be 'available' and cook and do laundry). And I've just never been up to that. It just took me until my late 40's to get all that figured out.
Years of therapy, for 'other family issues', allowed me to examine these expectations of my mother. I realized that she wanted me to do things that she had not been able to do, career wise, and also still wanted me to be traditional and have my babies before I turned 35. In short: it was a stacked deck she dealt me, and I sensed that if I didn't disappoint her for not having it all or doing it all, that I confused her with my life choices. I'm OK with that now, as I've done my work and know the difference between doing something because someone else wants you to, and doing it becasue you want to. Sadly for me, I married a man much like my mother--he wanted me to do it all, too (make heaps of money and be 'available' and cook and do laundry). And I've just never been up to that. It just took me until my late 40's to get all that figured out.
34
I came from Michigan with my daughter. 95% of our plane yesterday were coming to march. My son lives and works here in DC and we stayed and marched with him.
Unlike the author, I raised my children alone as a single Mom. My generation, her Mom's. protested the Viet Nam War and for Civil Rights. We paved the road for the lives they were able to embrace, but now is in jeopardy.
As someone from Michigan I particularly listened to Michael Moore. While I may not always agree with his methods or stance, he often speaks the truth about what has to happen. Our baby boomer generation is aging and has to, at some point, hand off the baton. We will continue to fight but it will take younger voices to speak, younger feet to march. We aren't giving up..........oh no, not by a long shot.
Listen to him...make calls to your local, state and federal representatives, daily. The march was not the end all and be all of the actions needed. I see a lot of passion in the Millennial generation, but it has to be turned into action. Most of your parents did this. We wrote, called and marched before the internet, snapchat and twitter. There's nothing wrong with these communication methods, but any staffer in any legislator's office will tell you that it takes CALLS of support or opposition to be heard. If you are lucky enough like us to live in an area with Democratic US reps or Senators, then all the opposition.
Don't forget the state level either. We haven't and won't.
Unlike the author, I raised my children alone as a single Mom. My generation, her Mom's. protested the Viet Nam War and for Civil Rights. We paved the road for the lives they were able to embrace, but now is in jeopardy.
As someone from Michigan I particularly listened to Michael Moore. While I may not always agree with his methods or stance, he often speaks the truth about what has to happen. Our baby boomer generation is aging and has to, at some point, hand off the baton. We will continue to fight but it will take younger voices to speak, younger feet to march. We aren't giving up..........oh no, not by a long shot.
Listen to him...make calls to your local, state and federal representatives, daily. The march was not the end all and be all of the actions needed. I see a lot of passion in the Millennial generation, but it has to be turned into action. Most of your parents did this. We wrote, called and marched before the internet, snapchat and twitter. There's nothing wrong with these communication methods, but any staffer in any legislator's office will tell you that it takes CALLS of support or opposition to be heard. If you are lucky enough like us to live in an area with Democratic US reps or Senators, then all the opposition.
Don't forget the state level either. We haven't and won't.
147
And don't forget the local level - where most start out - which is where you start building the group of supporters who wll stck with you and spread their beliefs.
27
Like you, I have marched for women's rights, peace, health care, nuclear disarmament, gay rights, HIV/AIDS, and in opposition to nuclear power plants for starters. My children were with me. They, like me, vote in every primary and election. They are active. Our granddaughter is, too. We had three generations out yesterday. I believe that if you don't vote, you have no right to complain about what you get.
I have been concerned that we boomers needed to be replaced by the next generation. It is of great comfort to me to see the millennials picking up the baton. They give me hope.
Democracy requires active participation, not just tweets or "likes" on a computer. Stand up for what you value. No one can do it for you. You have to do it yourself. The only thing that holds the raving beast of greed in check is knowing that huge numbers of engaged citizens are alert and ready to take to the streets to show their disgust. March on, folks. This is only the beginning.
I have been concerned that we boomers needed to be replaced by the next generation. It is of great comfort to me to see the millennials picking up the baton. They give me hope.
Democracy requires active participation, not just tweets or "likes" on a computer. Stand up for what you value. No one can do it for you. You have to do it yourself. The only thing that holds the raving beast of greed in check is knowing that huge numbers of engaged citizens are alert and ready to take to the streets to show their disgust. March on, folks. This is only the beginning.
4
To sign up for a call tonight with MoveOn.org and the newly-formed Trump resistance organization, Indivisible, complete this form: https://act.moveon.org/survey/indivisible?source=indivisible&link_id...
The focus will be on how to move forward at the local, state, and national level.
The focus will be on how to move forward at the local, state, and national level.
2
The weakening of a strong safety net has affected women badly, increasing their insecurity and financial burdens, especially average earning women and the poor.
In other advanced countries with a stronger safety net, women don’t face as much insecurity and personal anxiety. Even if they don’t attain the highest education and earning power, it’s not so crucial for a decent living standard. At the same time, college tuition is low cost, giving access to broader careers for women.
And all women abroad know they have health care, even if jobless. It doesn’t depend on their father or husband’s insurance. Employees generally have more protections, child care and family leave, since their govts realize their obligations to citizens.
The US has many factors working against women’s independence and security, all related to Gop rw hostility to govt itself.
Public protests may seem futile, but they're crucial. Imagine if there were none, and our leaders got no public resistance.
The US is moving backward in related areas---gender and racial equality, and general socio/economic mobility where we were once the most advanced. It's all connected. We're the only modern nation with no federal family leave laws.
Our big money politics shifting power and wealth up to the elites, gives us little remedy. Public protests are all we have now. Then, crucially--campaign finance reform is the 1st step in a long series to bring the American Dream back ---including women's rights. .
In other advanced countries with a stronger safety net, women don’t face as much insecurity and personal anxiety. Even if they don’t attain the highest education and earning power, it’s not so crucial for a decent living standard. At the same time, college tuition is low cost, giving access to broader careers for women.
And all women abroad know they have health care, even if jobless. It doesn’t depend on their father or husband’s insurance. Employees generally have more protections, child care and family leave, since their govts realize their obligations to citizens.
The US has many factors working against women’s independence and security, all related to Gop rw hostility to govt itself.
Public protests may seem futile, but they're crucial. Imagine if there were none, and our leaders got no public resistance.
The US is moving backward in related areas---gender and racial equality, and general socio/economic mobility where we were once the most advanced. It's all connected. We're the only modern nation with no federal family leave laws.
Our big money politics shifting power and wealth up to the elites, gives us little remedy. Public protests are all we have now. Then, crucially--campaign finance reform is the 1st step in a long series to bring the American Dream back ---including women's rights. .
95
The United States spends the least on social welfare of all advanced nations (while complaining constantly about that meager amount). That says a lot about our priorities.
2
oh, please, not "all women abroad know they have healthcare, even if jobless..." You would have to kick the absolute majority of women off Planet Earth.
1
I was in the grocery story late this morning, feeling a tad guilty I did not take the train to Boston for the march (I had an arthritis flare up. I know, I know ..., it's a lame excuse). I commented to the cashier that the store was pretty empty for a Saturday and she told me very matter of factly that her sister and just texted her that the train to downtown Boston was 15 people thick. We smiled in solidarity, I googled the pussy march on my phone and start sobbing when i saw my 'sisters': in Sydney, Mexico City, Prague, Dublin, Oregon, New Hampshire, Geneva, Paris, Missouri etc, etc, etc. I lost it when I saw ANTARCTICA Someone came over to my cart and asked if I was OK. I wiped my eyes and said "Yes. Yes. Yes.I am OK now." Despondent and sick after this election. I am OK now. Hillary , my hero, lost an election, but she jump started a revolution. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
212
There were estimated to be 50,000 marchers here in Austin, TX
1
Thank you for your honesty and this piece. The well funded forces working to undo social progress are anti-life. They profess otherwise, but you cannot want to destroy so many lives unless you care nothing for others. And their thirst for power is unquenchable. We all must stay involved and vigilant; it is terribly true that no progress is permanent in the face of such cruel and unusual people.
25
Should have voted, should have voted, should have voted. Will vote, will vote, will vote, will vote. Every election, every election, every election. Repeat for the rest of my life.
110
Michael Moore said make calls now to your representatives, every day. I would add to that -- we need to boycott Trump's & Fox News corporate underwriters. A list of
http://foxnewsboycott.com/fox-news-sponsors/
http://foxnewsboycott.com/fox-news-sponsors/fox-sponsors-a-l
http://foxnewsboycott.com/fox-news-sponsors/fox-sponsors-m-z
http://foxnewsboycott.com/fox-news-sponsors/
http://foxnewsboycott.com/fox-news-sponsors/fox-sponsors-a-l
http://foxnewsboycott.com/fox-news-sponsors/fox-sponsors-m-z
27
Ann,
It appears that Fox and its "friends" like Rush are telling the gullible that Trump has chosen so many billionaires because "they don't need the money" so they will work for Joe Six-Pak. The cabinet members probably will make a big deal - like Trump himself - of not taking a salary while tilting the playing field and the tax code to their advantage. Insider trading anyone?
It appears that Fox and its "friends" like Rush are telling the gullible that Trump has chosen so many billionaires because "they don't need the money" so they will work for Joe Six-Pak. The cabinet members probably will make a big deal - like Trump himself - of not taking a salary while tilting the playing field and the tax code to their advantage. Insider trading anyone?
1
Isn't the picture of an anti-women's lib group MOM?
18
Yes, it is--Looks like someone selecting photos to go with this essay reached into a file of "Women's Lib Marches, 1970s" blindfolded. They used a photo of women holding signs proclaiming "Men Our Masters" --apparently unaware that this is about as anti-women's rights as you can get!
17
The Clintons were voted out because they had morphed into the Wall Street establishment not because they represented women. Women still have a way to go to get their full citizenship in human rights. But the Obama's and the Clinton's marched under the mantle of the old Democratic party but actually were full fledged members of a self serving new Democratic cabal that has lost its way. Bernie Sanders picked up the old Democratic party members and was on his way to a new liberal era until he was coopted by the now wealthy Clintons whose aims are more Republican than old Democrat. You need to demonstrate for Women but get up-to=date and realize that you are more likely to move Women up and ahead with Trump than with tu Clinton establishment.
10
If you dislike Hillary because she seems connected to Wall Street, what do you think of the five or six current or former Goldman-Sachs guys in Trump's crew? How do you like a cabinet full of billionaires who make no apologies about planning to make themselves and their cronies even richer at our expense?
93
You've got to be kidding.
1
That's just crazy. Trump has chosen billionaires and Wall St. executives to fill his cabinet. He will do nothing for women or people in need of better jobs. People have been manipulated by his dishonest rhetoric and now all we can do is let our voices be heard in the hope that eventually things will turn back to the direction t hat helps hard working people, the disabled, and those in need.
Fight the Power!
Fight the Power!
4
I joined 250,000 people who marched in solidarity today against DJT and in support of women, LGBT, families. After all the depressing events since Trumps win and his unapologetic and completely uninclusive actions, this was the best day. It was a march of people who grew happier as the day and march went on. It is a heady feeling to take over the streets of your city, to walk amongst the beautiful tall buildings. And we were with the milenials. They and parents of young girls, people aged up to 35. I am a parent of a 20 and 26 year old. This was a forward looking bunch and it was wonderful to be with them. We marched for hours. I think populism is alive and well on all sides in this country. I think Trump said this is our country in his speech and he is right. We felt it in the air today in Chicago! I think this is just the first of many many marches to come. Watch out carpetbaggers because we are still here!
51
I joined an estimated. 50,000 here in Austin,TX.
1
Quite a leap from the angry young women who scorned Gloria Steinem and Madeliene Albright for their fierce feminism last spring, and the cheering horde that greeted Ms. Steinem at today's D.C. March.
Welcome, women, whatever you previously thought. In the face of the monstrous fist that threatens to crush all our aspirations, one thing stands true, and firm: we are stronger, together.
Rise up!!
Welcome, women, whatever you previously thought. In the face of the monstrous fist that threatens to crush all our aspirations, one thing stands true, and firm: we are stronger, together.
Rise up!!
59
That is not a picture of a Women's Liberation march from 1970. Just the opposite. Read the signs.
13
Just like Democracy, women's rights must continually be fought for or lost.
If they are not constantly fought for, they will be taken away and destroyed.
Today's young women take for granted quite a bit and assume things will always be the same. As is it said, you don't know what you miss until it is gone.
Lastly, I wish women would be nicer to each other and support one another.
If they are not constantly fought for, they will be taken away and destroyed.
Today's young women take for granted quite a bit and assume things will always be the same. As is it said, you don't know what you miss until it is gone.
Lastly, I wish women would be nicer to each other and support one another.
22
I was marching with Grandma, and I marched today.
And for the same reasons. I want to live in a free, open, and enlightened country.
My grandparents were immigrants, my parents were 1st generation Americans, and soldiers: Mom and Dad.
I was the child who protested the Vietnam War, because I saw then that it was wrong.
I see now that Donald Trump is off his rocker, the figurehead for a group of reactionary, authoritarian fools.
That is not my America. He is Not My President.
He can say what he will about the crooked media: bear in mind that if the media does not have free access to the frivolities of Donald, that will give them all the more reason to report on the majority of Americans who want NO PART OF DONALD TRUMP AND HIS SWAMP MONSTER POLITICS,
And it's a free country: I can say this, and I do.
Today was a great day for America!
And for the same reasons. I want to live in a free, open, and enlightened country.
My grandparents were immigrants, my parents were 1st generation Americans, and soldiers: Mom and Dad.
I was the child who protested the Vietnam War, because I saw then that it was wrong.
I see now that Donald Trump is off his rocker, the figurehead for a group of reactionary, authoritarian fools.
That is not my America. He is Not My President.
He can say what he will about the crooked media: bear in mind that if the media does not have free access to the frivolities of Donald, that will give them all the more reason to report on the majority of Americans who want NO PART OF DONALD TRUMP AND HIS SWAMP MONSTER POLITICS,
And it's a free country: I can say this, and I do.
Today was a great day for America!
63
Yes, good for you for marching! I wish I could have been there myself. I hope more protests, marches and rallies will be organized in the near future. But please do remember the order of your identity:
1. a living being on this planet
2. of human species
3. gender, race, etc.
4. nationality, tribe, etc.
In other words, as a climate change denier, and having appointed a cabinet full of climate change deniers, the threat Trump poses to the planet far exceeds issues of gender! Please consider priorities. We have precious little time left to act effectively. With climate change there is no "do-over" in 4 years.
1. a living being on this planet
2. of human species
3. gender, race, etc.
4. nationality, tribe, etc.
In other words, as a climate change denier, and having appointed a cabinet full of climate change deniers, the threat Trump poses to the planet far exceeds issues of gender! Please consider priorities. We have precious little time left to act effectively. With climate change there is no "do-over" in 4 years.
27
So true. My sign said "I love science".
3
Yes. I agree, I would like that to provoke millions of protesters and floods of letters and phone calls.
1
Small fingers; small crowds. My gosh what thin skin -- he now is obsessed with reportage on his crowd size. Doesn't take much to taunt the Don. Good luck trying to be a leader.
38
Maybe he will fritter away his political capital (what little he has) on inanities. They seem to capture his attention in a way that daily briefings don't. Just waiting for the circular firing squad to start in the GOP. It shouldn't take too long.
1
"Maybe someday I’ll be marching downtown with my son [now 7-mo.] to see a woman take the oath of office."
Grandson.
Grandson.
9
When one runs from the right, she will win. Witness Europe. It's the brand that is repellent, not the gender.
1
I recall attending one of the Kent State – Cambodia demonstrations, among others, and eventually came to the conclusion that the anti-war demonstrations hadn't been effective as the war went on.
The largest political demonstration in US history was against nuclear weapons in 1982, over a million people attended in Central Park. But in his memoirs Regan noted that the TV movie 'The Day After' had a bearing on the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty four years later.
If people attending the current demonstrations can complement their voices with grass roots actions, making some constructive changes in the Democratic party, reaching out beyond their current enclaves, or doing something as simple as voting the next time around some good will have come out of it. Otherwise temper the expectations for implementing change.
The largest political demonstration in US history was against nuclear weapons in 1982, over a million people attended in Central Park. But in his memoirs Regan noted that the TV movie 'The Day After' had a bearing on the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty four years later.
If people attending the current demonstrations can complement their voices with grass roots actions, making some constructive changes in the Democratic party, reaching out beyond their current enclaves, or doing something as simple as voting the next time around some good will have come out of it. Otherwise temper the expectations for implementing change.
19
I suggest a Nobel prize, and more, for whoever can identify why men are so scared of empowered women.
45
I sense it's guilt and shame for treating us so badly. As one of my lovely male friends used to say, "Without you women there'd be no civilization."
14
Why are men "scared of empowered women?" Men's genitals are external! They're exquisitely sensitive but flop around loose, endangered by anything from bacon grease to jostling.
Male genitals scream for attention hundreds of times each day starting in puberty, causing men to experience them as their essence or "manhood," rather than qualities such as love, respect, courage, and fairness.
Men desire sex, yet cannot depend on their genitals to cooperate. The phallus stands up to be counted ("Um, one") in embarrassing situations but sometimes refuses to perform when performance seems vital, producing shame. Male genitals' urgent desire for sex is often met with opposition, for example on crowded subway trains or on a blind date with someone who finds the man repulsive.
A deep sense of fragility produces a desperate need to feel powerful. Shame produces projection: "My weaknesses are not my fault, but women's!" Empowered women always seem threatening to men unable to face their own physical and emotional fragility... their humanity.
Male genitals scream for attention hundreds of times each day starting in puberty, causing men to experience them as their essence or "manhood," rather than qualities such as love, respect, courage, and fairness.
Men desire sex, yet cannot depend on their genitals to cooperate. The phallus stands up to be counted ("Um, one") in embarrassing situations but sometimes refuses to perform when performance seems vital, producing shame. Male genitals' urgent desire for sex is often met with opposition, for example on crowded subway trains or on a blind date with someone who finds the man repulsive.
A deep sense of fragility produces a desperate need to feel powerful. Shame produces projection: "My weaknesses are not my fault, but women's!" Empowered women always seem threatening to men unable to face their own physical and emotional fragility... their humanity.
9
Why do women hang around men who don't respect and empower them That's the question you need to be asking your selves. My sisters, Mom and wife would have nothing to do with anything short of that
1
There is an incredible energy I have never ever experienced before until I marched at the Boston Commons today. Something has woken up the sleeping beast of the peoples conscience, hopes, and dreams. For too long our democracy has functioned without our vigorous participation in it. Yes we would pay attention to the presidential race but we never seemed to show the same care and passion for local government and state officials elections and actions. We have taken our way of life, women's rights, the push for equality, racial equality, and the abolishment of prejudices for granted. Donald Trump and the Administration we march against woke up our biggest fears. Yet as horrible and uncertain our future is I have never been more hopeful about the future of our society and nation. We are finally participating. Not just in the big elections. We need to participate every day for the next four years and far beyond that. We need to call our representatives and demand action when they try to get rid of ethics committees to hold them accountable. We need to explain to them why we need ACA, why equality for everyone is overdue, and why we won't go quietly from their office. So just as the many women and men who marched today in the name of women's rights we have a duty to our country and our future to stay vigilant, hold politicians accountable, and not take anything in our lives for granted.
49
We cannot become complacent. There are internal forces in our country that are mean spirited, greedy and powerful. They now have been able to take over power and will use it no good.
These evil forces do not represent the goodness of America or the majority of present day Americans. However, they can use the heavy fist to suppress and are obviously doing that now.
Don't stop marching, don't stop protesting and most important, don't neglect the civic responsibility of voting in 2018. The Congress must be changed so this evil can be constitutionally removed from power.
These evil forces do not represent the goodness of America or the majority of present day Americans. However, they can use the heavy fist to suppress and are obviously doing that now.
Don't stop marching, don't stop protesting and most important, don't neglect the civic responsibility of voting in 2018. The Congress must be changed so this evil can be constitutionally removed from power.
38
Evidently I am missing something here, but what exactly are these females protesting? Let's see....in my lifetime they got Roe v Wade, which is now the law. The have unlimited birth control, abortion on demand, they occupy CEO positions of major corporations, they've occupied top government jobs such as U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, U.S. Ambassadorships, and they're doctors, lawyers, Supreme Court judges, President's Cabinet positions and other top positions of power....
I get it that many of these people are opposed to Trump, but other than that, what exactly is the problem and the purpose? Did it ever occur to them that Clinton was a horrible candidate and if the Dems had run a Biden/Bernie ticket they'd still be in the White House?
I get it that many of these people are opposed to Trump, but other than that, what exactly is the problem and the purpose? Did it ever occur to them that Clinton was a horrible candidate and if the Dems had run a Biden/Bernie ticket they'd still be in the White House?
9
"What are they protesting?" Well, your list of things we've achieved is also a list of what Trump and Republican politicians plan to take away from us!
21
"what exactly are these females protesting? Let's see...."
Anyone who said the same thing about the angry white men who elected Trump would be laughed out of the water.
Anyone who said the same thing about the angry white men who elected Trump would be laughed out of the water.
6
We are protesting the erosion of the things you just mentioned -- control over our own reproductive choices (including access to safe and legal abortion for those who make that choice), and thus control over our own destinies; access to affordable healthcare for women and families; access to safe and decent jobs to support our families; access to safe and healthy communities.
We are fighting to make "equal rights under the law" a true reality in our lives. We are fighting for equal pay for equal work, and a workplace free of discrimination and harassment (yes, this still happens). We are fighting for equal standing in our society for people of color, immigrants, the disabled. We are fighting to protect our children from injustice because of their gender, the color of their skin, or the nature of their heritage.
We are fighting to protect this earth for our children (including yours) and our children's children, because if we don't do something nobody will.
Those who came before us fought for and won so much, but we cannot rest. We must resist a culture that thinks that just because a few of us made it to the top, that's good enough. We cannot be satisfied with token support. We cannot take what we have for granted when it can be so easily eroded and erased.
We are fighting to make "equal rights under the law" a true reality in our lives. We are fighting for equal pay for equal work, and a workplace free of discrimination and harassment (yes, this still happens). We are fighting for equal standing in our society for people of color, immigrants, the disabled. We are fighting to protect our children from injustice because of their gender, the color of their skin, or the nature of their heritage.
We are fighting to protect this earth for our children (including yours) and our children's children, because if we don't do something nobody will.
Those who came before us fought for and won so much, but we cannot rest. We must resist a culture that thinks that just because a few of us made it to the top, that's good enough. We cannot be satisfied with token support. We cannot take what we have for granted when it can be so easily eroded and erased.
2
I just got home from the Women's March in NYC. What an experience! The solidarity, the love, the feeling of being part of something larger, the knowing that I am not the crazy one....It was fabulous. It was my first time. It will not be my last. I made a great sign and I am keeping it since I already know that I will need it again soon. But if I had known how great it felt, I would have been an activist long ago!
One more thing - I just heard Sean Spicer, the Press Secretary of Donald, try to tell everyone not to believe their lying eyes, but only believe what Donald tells them is the number of people who attended the Inauguration - and also anticipating the numbers that would be reported for the Marches. I was there - I know that the numbers in NYC were unprecedented. So, don't tell me what I am to accept as truth. This is unbelievable, or would be if it were not Donald. I am glad I know my history - and I cannot wait to see how the press will respond. This is a test, boys and girls. Don't screw this up!
One more thing - I just heard Sean Spicer, the Press Secretary of Donald, try to tell everyone not to believe their lying eyes, but only believe what Donald tells them is the number of people who attended the Inauguration - and also anticipating the numbers that would be reported for the Marches. I was there - I know that the numbers in NYC were unprecedented. So, don't tell me what I am to accept as truth. This is unbelievable, or would be if it were not Donald. I am glad I know my history - and I cannot wait to see how the press will respond. This is a test, boys and girls. Don't screw this up!
101
Perhaps there were over 2 million in U.S. alone?
1
You are right---we must never, ever take for granted that women's rights will be respected. It's a case of two steps forward, one step back. But there's only one direction. Forward. And only one way to go. Together.
34
Maybe you marched to get to the march, but I thought there wasn't any room there in DC for the huge group to actually move in any one direction.
In our city, we did actually march as a group of 60,000 down the streets to the state capitol.
In our city, we did actually march as a group of 60,000 down the streets to the state capitol.
10
And there were 50,000 here in Austin, TX. Yea!
1
I too feel embarrassed that it took me so long in life to believe in the power of protest. My parents always spoke to me as though I could do anything I wanted, but then I listened to them in my early adulthood champion my husband's career over mine. After all, they wanted me to be safe and protected. I only then began to realize their their understanding of my potential was clouded in sexist assumptions, and that they had zero working idea of how rights and access are achieved. To my own daughters I can now preach with the example of my own life. It's fine, but it could have been a lot more meaningful had I not prematurely and unconsciously given up on the constant need to be vigilant about my rights and those of others.
38
"For five years he worked as a political appointee in the Obama administration. Like so many others in Washington, we felt confident that Hillary Clinton would be the next president and that he would stay in his position, at least for a while."
One of the few reasons why normal human beings could vote for that fake progressive, Hillary Clinton, besides she was a bit better than Trump.
One of the few reasons why normal human beings could vote for that fake progressive, Hillary Clinton, besides she was a bit better than Trump.
3
This a very thoughtful article with a sweeping perspective. Two sentences gave me particular pause. "But since Hillary Clinton lost to Donald J. Trump, I’ve been wondering whether the rights women have gained are as steadfast as I once assumed." There have been huge consequences to the failure of the equal rights amndment to be adopted. This is true both in practical and psychological terms. We are living with one of its consequences.
"I felt ashamed that it took the dread of Donald J. Trump to wake me up to the reality that progress is never permanent, or certain." Certainty is not possible in almost any area of life. But probable outcomes can be imagined realistically. Donald Trump and the ERA are an improbable combination.
"I felt ashamed that it took the dread of Donald J. Trump to wake me up to the reality that progress is never permanent, or certain." Certainty is not possible in almost any area of life. But probable outcomes can be imagined realistically. Donald Trump and the ERA are an improbable combination.
9
I must confess to thinking it was a mistake; giving Trump attention and something about which he would simply tweet, but given his disastrous speech, the criticism it received from intelligent people on both sides of the political spectrum, given the small turnout for his inauguration and finally today’s massive turnout, I must tip my hat to all who participated. Quite well done!
42
Just back from Portland women's march myself, I agree 100% with the sentiment behind this article. But I do have one critique of a small point.
The writer asks, "Why didn’t I consider getting a degree that would pay my bills, and then some?"
As a writer, musician, and mother of young children myself, I empathize with the financial stress of her position, and I empathize with her reconsidering past career decisions in the first year of parenthood - but I don't agree with the feminist critique here. It sounds to me like she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a writer; had the privilege and gumption to pursue that dream; and is still on that path, which in her case includes a day job at a meaningful but low-paying nonprofit, which presumably affords her time to write.
A challenging life? Yes. But should she have gone to law school? Not necessarily! This reminds me of the recent advertising campaign from Wells Fargo, "Ballerina yesterday...engineer today", discontinued after complaints that it implied that being an artist was childish and not to be taken seriously as a "real job".
Neither artists nor parents of young children are supported in this country at this moment, which is a profound shame. I empathize with the author's struggle, and wish her success. But I disagree with the assertion that deciding to take a risk and follow one's dream of being an artist is in some way less than feminist. I think it's quite the opposite.
The writer asks, "Why didn’t I consider getting a degree that would pay my bills, and then some?"
As a writer, musician, and mother of young children myself, I empathize with the financial stress of her position, and I empathize with her reconsidering past career decisions in the first year of parenthood - but I don't agree with the feminist critique here. It sounds to me like she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a writer; had the privilege and gumption to pursue that dream; and is still on that path, which in her case includes a day job at a meaningful but low-paying nonprofit, which presumably affords her time to write.
A challenging life? Yes. But should she have gone to law school? Not necessarily! This reminds me of the recent advertising campaign from Wells Fargo, "Ballerina yesterday...engineer today", discontinued after complaints that it implied that being an artist was childish and not to be taken seriously as a "real job".
Neither artists nor parents of young children are supported in this country at this moment, which is a profound shame. I empathize with the author's struggle, and wish her success. But I disagree with the assertion that deciding to take a risk and follow one's dream of being an artist is in some way less than feminist. I think it's quite the opposite.
69
The loss of art is the loss of soul.
1
We have too many MBAs. We need more artists. They are people who speak to our souls and move us in ways nothing else can. We need to realign our priorities as a nation. Stop admiring the money grubbers who tell us they are "doing god's work"? All I can say is god must have taken a long nap.
Admire the people who create and keep us human. Admire the people who are generous, kind, compassionate and honest. Admire true morality over false religious posturing.
Admire the people who create and keep us human. Admire the people who are generous, kind, compassionate and honest. Admire true morality over false religious posturing.
1
@ Alicia: "...Neither artists nor parents of young children are supported in this country..."
Who is it who should support them?
Their neighbors it appears, because they must love getting up early every weekday to work eight hours in a cube farm.
Or should everything be "free"?
Who is it who should support them?
Their neighbors it appears, because they must love getting up early every weekday to work eight hours in a cube farm.
Or should everything be "free"?
2
Don't march if you're a pro-life woman, though. You aren't welcome.
6
If "pro-life" means you plan to join the struggle for equal pay, a higher minimum wage, subsidized daycare, affordable health insurance, aid for women experiencing domestic violence, easy access to affordable contraception, equal rights for women, and so on, then you're certainly welcome--since those will all reduce abortion by making it possible for impoverished girls and women to raise a child.
If all "pro-life" means to you is a chance to force girls and women to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term--and your concern for a fetus or baby stops at birth--then you might finds yourself feeling a bit unwelcome, it's true.
If all "pro-life" means to you is a chance to force girls and women to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term--and your concern for a fetus or baby stops at birth--then you might finds yourself feeling a bit unwelcome, it's true.
31
Trust women to make their own decisions. If you're "pro-life," live and choose accordingly.
3
The focus on abortion has virtually let the Democratic Party hijack feminism. It is a bargain for politicians because they only need to protect Planned Parenthood, and downplay or outright ignore the many issues facing women.
1
Your essay includes a prominent omission that I frequently find in similar essays by women. In connection with raising your son, you refer to your husband only in passing, and solely as a source of money. Polls show that women want the dominant role in child-rearing, even if they have husbands who want to participate. My then-wife and I worked out a fifty-fifty plan. And the years of child rearing were the best of my life.
Success at work is fulfilling. Success at home is equally fulfilling, if not more. Women want control of the home. And men are all too willing to give in. I would gladly sign on to whatever equal pay agreement was fair as long as I got a comparable equal parenting agreement.
Success at work is fulfilling. Success at home is equally fulfilling, if not more. Women want control of the home. And men are all too willing to give in. I would gladly sign on to whatever equal pay agreement was fair as long as I got a comparable equal parenting agreement.
7
It's about time that women from generation X and beyond pick up the torch that we baby boomers lit. I have done more than my share of marching back in the 70's and quite frankly I got burned out while watching the shiftless and lazy younger women do absolutely nothing. If they lose their rights they have no one to blame but themselves. They just took all of the hard work we had done for granted. At this point in my life I am past the age of needing an abortion but if any of these women lose that right they can just look in the mirror and see who helped them lose it. Their rights have been slipping away for a long time while they were too busy watching distraction television like Jersey Shore.
19
The conservative revolution and increased corporate stranglehold on perceptions of the world have been going on since Barry Goldwater. Can we get control of the conversation?
You said it sister! My 31 year old daughter has quietly laughed at me for years each time I would comment on a heroine in a movie (Sandra Bullock in Gravity.) She would state something like "Is that all you took away from the movie?" Or laughing at me when recalling that as a toddler, I refused to read to her Peter Peter Pumkin Eater - had a wife and couldn't keep her!!!! AS IF!
Well, now she can quake in her boots! I could have the last laugh! Only, there's nothing to laugh about.
Well, now she can quake in her boots! I could have the last laugh! Only, there's nothing to laugh about.
1
This was my first time marching after a long period of tweeting and re-tweeting sentiments that got lost in a sea of ones and zeros. It's hard to describe the up-welling of pride and patriotism I felt while walking with everyday people I wouldn't be surprised to see in front of me in line at Starbucks. Here were all these people that didn't fit the stereotype of a typical "protester" ready to go out on a cold Saturday to stand up for each-other no matter their backgrounds.
The marches aren't just about sending a message to Donald Trump, they're sending a message to other Americans that for so long have avoided politics and become apathetic. Just now I saw a friend that the day before was complaining about Oakland's activist (and occasionally disruptive) culture heading to the rally. He was going because he saw that it wasn't people angrily yelling and throwing bottles, but families, and friendly people from all walks of life.
It appears Trump has awoken a sleeping giant from apathy, and the silent majority will not be silent anymore.
The marches aren't just about sending a message to Donald Trump, they're sending a message to other Americans that for so long have avoided politics and become apathetic. Just now I saw a friend that the day before was complaining about Oakland's activist (and occasionally disruptive) culture heading to the rally. He was going because he saw that it wasn't people angrily yelling and throwing bottles, but families, and friendly people from all walks of life.
It appears Trump has awoken a sleeping giant from apathy, and the silent majority will not be silent anymore.
34
Beautifully written
5
While we're realizing that our rights as white women are not guaranteed, and sexism abounds in our culture, I hope we all also realize that a lot of these issues have been affecting men and women of color for generations, and our privilege of white skin has shielded us from most of it. So while you're protesting Trump's policies, also learn about and protest against the inherently racist policies and programs that have been in place for decades, and have been promoted by Democrats/liberals (see: 1990's mandatory minimums)
12
I think they blew it. The vulgarity and hatred that spewed out did not address anything. It just showed us a thoughtless reaction to perhaps the hundreds of years women have been surpressed and exploited. The problem is that it also showed that these women were incapable of communicating any issue. It seemed to me that the majority of women there were manipulated to attend under some guise of fun and expression. In case you may not know it, all men desire women and have egos and shared their adventures and conquests. I am not codoning it, I am saying that this is not uncommon and it is not grounds or an excuse for these women to trash their unique femeninity and act like some unknown hybrid species. All that was communicated was reactionary anger using a weak plateform to express from. To disrespect the office of our American presidency is to align yourselves with our enemies abroad. come back....We love you.
4
victor writes that we "trash their unique femininity and act like some unknown hybrid species..."
LOL. Takes me back to 1966, when a teenage boy to whom I mentioned my equal rights beliefs was astonished, and said, "But you have such lovely breasts, such curvy hips! Why would you want to give up all that and become a sort-of man?"
LOL. Takes me back to 1966, when a teenage boy to whom I mentioned my equal rights beliefs was astonished, and said, "But you have such lovely breasts, such curvy hips! Why would you want to give up all that and become a sort-of man?"
10
I pray that happens for you, Elizabeth, seeing a woman hold the country's highest office. I've been watching the march on the web most of the day; hollering at my husband to come see the funniest signs from all over the world! I think our mothers were cut from the same cloth and my heart is with you and your husband. Your family will make it work. You're built from a strong support and things will change. Easy for me to say hundreds of miles away, but I've also experienced road barriers as have most of us. Giving up is not an option.
21
I also took a lot for granted and I'm 64 years old. I never thought I'd see this country take such a backward step as it did in this election. For the first time in my life I am considering social activism as something I need to do for myself and the country. I am retired and have the time and resources to try and make a difference, and I intend to do so.
122
Younger women do not appreciate the hard fought gains women have achieved. They take them for granted and haven't a clue about coat hanger abortions, self inflicted disfiguring and even death to avoid a baby they can't afford or may be ashamed to have. Like as if anyone gleefully wants an abortion! It's a horrible gut wrenching choice, and if it's made, it's a life altering, horrible choice. These "men" want to take that Horrible, gut wrenching, unfathomable choice away from you. They want .to force you to stay in the house and shut up. You don't know what it was like. We remember if we're older. We went through it, and all knew someone who had. These marches are the beginning of waking up the younger, texting, social media loving, apathetic and unaware women and men what our American Taliban has planned for you. The writer of this piece knows, because she was horrified by that inauguration manifesto. Google marches on Washington. Women's protests. The taliban.
13
Beautifully written. Thank you.
7
I just watched the most bizarre press conference I have ever seen in my very long life. Trump press secretary Spicer spent five minutes nervously and erratically defending Trump's "crowds" at the Friday inauguration - and completely ignoring the hundreds of thousands demonstrating outside the White House on Saturday afternoon January 21st, 2017. Then, Spicer almost ran from his first press briefing without taking any questions. Folks, no matter what our political views, we should be very concerned about this administration. And God Bless women. They hold up half the sky.
134
"....take nothing for granted, and to organize and protest whenever our rights are threatened."
That applies not just to women but to everyone. Most of us have taken progress for granted but, now, threats from the right to our rights and our general welfare that have been creeping up on us for years are no longer distant, they are imminent.
Maybe trump in the White House is the shock therapy we needed; I think it was Michael Moore who the other day said that trump is our best organizer. President trump thinks his inauguration was the convulsion our political system needed. He's wrong, by just one day; Saturday's rallies and marches were, and they are just the beginning. They are a morale boost and the start of the fight back.
From those hundreds of thousands will spring activists and organizers who will make sure that congress hears from us when it tries to mess with our liberties, our health care and social security, will provide new blood to run for political office and will inspire people to vote in off-years.
That applies not just to women but to everyone. Most of us have taken progress for granted but, now, threats from the right to our rights and our general welfare that have been creeping up on us for years are no longer distant, they are imminent.
Maybe trump in the White House is the shock therapy we needed; I think it was Michael Moore who the other day said that trump is our best organizer. President trump thinks his inauguration was the convulsion our political system needed. He's wrong, by just one day; Saturday's rallies and marches were, and they are just the beginning. They are a morale boost and the start of the fight back.
From those hundreds of thousands will spring activists and organizers who will make sure that congress hears from us when it tries to mess with our liberties, our health care and social security, will provide new blood to run for political office and will inspire people to vote in off-years.
74
You might be right about the therapy. But I still think this was all so unnecessary. We were on the right road, the majority of Americans agreed, the majority of Americans wanted Hillary Clinton to be the next President and they voted for her. We ran into a perfect storm of the outdated Electoral College, Russian interference, FBI interference, and a candidate who is more entertainer than statesman who ran a circus of a campaign and another candidate who promised free everything and, both of whom were more interesting than the often dry punditry of the woman who was the most qualified candidate in American history to be President. We could have continued sailing along on that bullet train but now we have to stop and repair it because it broke down big time. And while we're repairing it we are in for the fight of our lives to keep those who caused the train wreck from ripping up the tracks.
Let's not ever be blindsided like that again. And let's work like the devil to defeat the devil and get the vote out in 2018. We've a steeper hill to climb because many more Democrats are up for reelection and we can't afford to lose a single Democrat and we have to pick up a solid handful of Republican seats to stop the wrecking ball that is aimed toward the Constitution. And pray that Ruth Bader Ginsburg can hang on a couple more years. Fasten your seat belts; it's going to be a bumpy ride!
Let's not ever be blindsided like that again. And let's work like the devil to defeat the devil and get the vote out in 2018. We've a steeper hill to climb because many more Democrats are up for reelection and we can't afford to lose a single Democrat and we have to pick up a solid handful of Republican seats to stop the wrecking ball that is aimed toward the Constitution. And pray that Ruth Bader Ginsburg can hang on a couple more years. Fasten your seat belts; it's going to be a bumpy ride!
173
Yes. And the good candidates need to step forward!
2
one thing overlooked in your comment are the 60 million voters feeling overlooked by that bullet train because they are in rest belts, and vote Trump and GOP. we need to retool and try to raise all boats as progressives and liberals, and show we are trying, even if that is just spinning wheels because of GOP intransigence. i agree with all else who wrote.
signed,
a progressive who works in rural VA
signed,
a progressive who works in rural VA
4
Ms. Gutting, don't kick yourself for getting a degree in English. You have to be happy. My dad received a degree in engineering from one of the best engineering schools in America. He made a good living, but hated every single day he worked as an engineer right up until retirement.
Sure it great to make a good living, but not if it makes your life miserable.
Sure it great to make a good living, but not if it makes your life miserable.
88
Linda, thanks for sticking up for the English degree. Plenty of English majors go on to lucrative careers in a wide array of areas, all the way up to CEO (Disney's Michael Eisner) to Treasury Secretary (Hank Paulson) and leader of the free world (Barack Obama).
It's not what you major in that matters most -- it's what you do with the critical and creative thinking skills you acquire in the study of liberal arts and sciences.
It's not what you major in that matters most -- it's what you do with the critical and creative thinking skills you acquire in the study of liberal arts and sciences.
3
Ah, a possible good that may come from the election of DT. I am a boomer who has long been dismayed by the assumptions many younger women seemed to hold - the assumption that feminism was over or no longer necessary or that they now had full rights, so there was no need. While women have made progress, back-sliding is possible.
There are also areas in which women still do not have equality. A 20-something I know was hired right out of college to work at a consulting firm where she had previously done an internship. With her father's prodding, she even screwed up her courage and asked for more money when hired. She was told that they paid everyone in the same position the same amount. A few months later she found out that a guy she knew from her college class had been hired at the same time into the same job title but for more pay (he had not done an internship, his college grades were not as good)... It still happens.
There are also areas in which women still do not have equality. A 20-something I know was hired right out of college to work at a consulting firm where she had previously done an internship. With her father's prodding, she even screwed up her courage and asked for more money when hired. She was told that they paid everyone in the same position the same amount. A few months later she found out that a guy she knew from her college class had been hired at the same time into the same job title but for more pay (he had not done an internship, his college grades were not as good)... It still happens.
301
I am so glad to see younger women waking up.
3
Pay disparity is higher for minorities. And when I consider the thousands of hours of unpaid overtime and weekends I've worked -- instead of the .76 cents on the dollar wage gap, my hourly falls significantly.
5
The only thing worse than being discriminated against is to be someone who is discriminated against that isn't supposed to be discriminated against. No one sheds a tear for them. Recogniizing something doesn't necessarily change that thing, it just makes it easier to live with that thing as a known rather than an unknown. That's sometimes what's most important, the living with it.
We are often surprised by the considerable difference there is between technological advances and cultural changes. Why can we go to the moon or see deeply into our bodies and still retain manners of thought that are no longer sustainable or useful. The human mind is capable of unlocking nature's secrets and retain deep prejudices at the same time. We live in a period when there are few physical impediments to an equitable society, but the values that have been inculcated into us by persons who themselves were shaped by people who were formed as long ago as 70, 80 years persist. So, the marches must go on. who knows for how long. However, things will remain forever the same unless each march takes us a step further, and for that, the struggle must continue because if there is one reality in this world, it is that those who possess the power never share it, it must be taken from them.
269
Justd imagine George Washington disallowing poor, those without land property, could not even vote. That is how sainted we all are since the beginning.
1
Thank you. Beautifully said.
2
So called "equitable society" doesn't exist in capitalism because it naturally favors success and destroys failure. My boss is the angriest, most abusive person I've ever met but he has what it takes to make massive amounts of money in a cutthroat business. I do not have that drive so I'll never have what he has. That's just a fact of life.
1