On Saturday, LJ and I joined some our neighbors (and about 175,000 other people) at the Women’s March in Boston. To say that it was uplifting would be an understatement.
After the election, I felt hopeless and lost. It felt like we were about to step off of a cliff, and that some of the most vulnerable populations out there were going to get pushed off that cliff before us. I didn’t know what I could do, and (even from inside my coastal elite bubble) I felt totally alone.
The march was so incredibly positive. The MBTA was completely packed, but everyone was so kind to each other. We all made room for each other, helped each other with our kids, talked and laughed together. Boston Common was so packed, you could barely walk anywhere, but folks just made space where they could. There were a few mean-spirited signs, but most of what we saw was positive and hopeful.
The march is just a start. We can’t just pat ourselves on the back for showing up. But I know I wasn’t the only person in Boston on Saturday thinking to herself, “If we keep this up, we might really be able to make a difference.”
Things that I will be doing, in my own small part:
- Focusing really hard on teaching my daughter about compassion and understanding. We’ve always emphasized the importance of being kind and of looking out for other people, but there is so much more that I can teach her, and so many amazing people out there that I can introduce her to.
- The organizers of the women’s march have action items, and the first is sending postcards to your senators. We’re hosting a postcard making party at our house this weekend.
- Sometimes the best way to be helpful is by utilizing your most valuable skills, even if they don’t feel as immediate as direct action. I’m going to be looking for opportunities to help progressive organizations out with their tech problems.
There’s a saying that it’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. 175,000 candles is a pretty impressive display of light.