Yesterday, January 21st, saw millions - yes millions - of women join marches across the world in support of women’s rights.
Now I think we all need to take a moment to fully absorb the enormity of what happened yesterday, because it was bloody amazing. The cultural perception of feminists just ten years ago was shameful - they were irrational, bra-burning, man-hating women. You just didn’t see celebrities proclaiming themselves to be feminists on public platforms, lest they be branded with such a radical characterisation. Radical, you know, for wanting people to be treated with respect regardless of what’s going down in their underwear.
At yesterday’s US marches, an estimated 2.9 million people took to the streets. Yes, 2.9 MILLION PEOPLE (including men, btw). In the UK, the number is reported to be around 100,000, with events held in London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol. We were joined in solidarity by women across the world (even in Antarctica).
The date was obviously no mistake; the marches came the day after the inauguration of President vom Trump. If you’ve avoided media coverage of the President Wotsit, and we don’t blame you, then you might not be up to date on his attitude towards women. Here’s a handy recap to bring your blood up to a nice simmer.
But it’s not just Trump that’s got us angry. He is just one symptom of a political attitude towards the acceptance of inequality, injustice, hatred and separation. I’ve noticed a few people on my Facebook feed asking why we’re all so angry, and why can’t we just go to the kitchen and make a nice sandwich, or wash our hair, or send a polite letter to our local representative? LOL.
So here’s why we marched, and why we will continue to;
So, no, the marches might not make Trump step down from his presidency, but it might make a few of the approximately 42 million immigrants living in America feel a little safer, or a little less alone. It might change the mind of a little girl who doesn't want to play a sport for fear of looking 'unladylike'. It might give someone the confidence to tell their friends or family that, actually, they are a feminist. And that makes it worth it.
Like this? Then you might also be interested in:
Anti-Feminist MP Philip Davies Has Been Elected To The Women And Equalities Comittee
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Schools Everyone On How Racism Played A Part In The US Election
Follow Bethan on Twitter @BethanMcGrath
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.