I will not be silenced
Yesterday was a great day and a disturbing day all at the same time.
Mary and I got up at the crack of dawn to board the buses headed to Denver to participate in the Women's March on Denver. Am I one who would normally protest? No. Have I ever protested a Republican president before? No.
It was an overwhelming and emotional day. Peaceful marches across this country and around the world. Being a witness to the solidarity amongst women who only want equal rights--equal pay, the right to control their own reproductive choices, and access to health care.
Yesterday morning started off really nice. A friend of my spouse's family, who has polar opposite political beliefs, posted a message on Facebook saying something to the effect of "Ellen, I hope in the next few years this President will change your mind". I replied saying that was my hope also. I thought it was a great extension of an olive branch.
However, the remarks after getting home from the march were more ignorant than kind. I lost sleep about a couple of these comments last night, not because of what was said, but because of who said them. This person has repeatedly posted hurtful, condescending comments on Facebook because she thinks she has the right to.
Okay, so you want me to get in the back of the bus and just accept what it is? You want me to be content with $.80 on the dollar for every dollar that my male counterpart earns. You want me to be silent and let all the old, white Republican men decide what a woman can and cannot do with her own reproductive parts? You want me to be silent while young women loose their right to healthcare provided by Planned Parenthood? You want me to sit idly by while I lose my own health insurance due to a now very serious pre-existing condition? You want this country to be transported back to the 1950s? And for the old, redneck, fat guy who doesn't think this administration will have any effect on women's rights--keep living in your all white, male dominated dreams.
Shame on you for even suggesting American women should stay silent! Instead of criticizing those of us who choose to be vocal maybe you should join us rather than sitting on your couch playing the victim.
And for those of you who choose to also post racial comments or memes yesterday--I can tolerate your ignorance when it comes to women's rights, but if you choose to openly display your racism you will be dealing with a fire-breathing, fierce grandmother who will do whatever necessary to protect her grandson and any other person of color. Despite what our current leader exhibits, it is NOT okay to be openly racist! You need to go back to pretending you're not a racist, although now we know what you're really all about.
Yesterday the biggest protests in American history took place. I'm proud to have been part of it! I am a strong woman and I have strong daughters! It's not okay for anyone to say otherwise just because they are content with the status quo.
This is what strong American women look like:
I will not be silent and accept "it is what it is".
Mary and I got up at the crack of dawn to board the buses headed to Denver to participate in the Women's March on Denver. Am I one who would normally protest? No. Have I ever protested a Republican president before? No.
It was an overwhelming and emotional day. Peaceful marches across this country and around the world. Being a witness to the solidarity amongst women who only want equal rights--equal pay, the right to control their own reproductive choices, and access to health care.
Yesterday morning started off really nice. A friend of my spouse's family, who has polar opposite political beliefs, posted a message on Facebook saying something to the effect of "Ellen, I hope in the next few years this President will change your mind". I replied saying that was my hope also. I thought it was a great extension of an olive branch.
However, the remarks after getting home from the march were more ignorant than kind. I lost sleep about a couple of these comments last night, not because of what was said, but because of who said them. This person has repeatedly posted hurtful, condescending comments on Facebook because she thinks she has the right to.
Okay, so you want me to get in the back of the bus and just accept what it is? You want me to be content with $.80 on the dollar for every dollar that my male counterpart earns. You want me to be silent and let all the old, white Republican men decide what a woman can and cannot do with her own reproductive parts? You want me to be silent while young women loose their right to healthcare provided by Planned Parenthood? You want me to sit idly by while I lose my own health insurance due to a now very serious pre-existing condition? You want this country to be transported back to the 1950s? And for the old, redneck, fat guy who doesn't think this administration will have any effect on women's rights--keep living in your all white, male dominated dreams.
Shame on you for even suggesting American women should stay silent! Instead of criticizing those of us who choose to be vocal maybe you should join us rather than sitting on your couch playing the victim.
And for those of you who choose to also post racial comments or memes yesterday--I can tolerate your ignorance when it comes to women's rights, but if you choose to openly display your racism you will be dealing with a fire-breathing, fierce grandmother who will do whatever necessary to protect her grandson and any other person of color. Despite what our current leader exhibits, it is NOT okay to be openly racist! You need to go back to pretending you're not a racist, although now we know what you're really all about.
Yesterday the biggest protests in American history took place. I'm proud to have been part of it! I am a strong woman and I have strong daughters! It's not okay for anyone to say otherwise just because they are content with the status quo.
This is what strong American women look like:
I will not be silent and accept "it is what it is".
Comments