October 25th, 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the Million Woman March which was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was a part of that day in history. I was 19 years old about to be 20 years old. My memories from that day are vague because I have a horrible memory of older events in my life. I attended with my mom and some family friends. I feel like we wore matching shirts that day. If so I no longer have it nor would I probably be able to fit it. Lol. I remember after the event walking to the mall all by myself and buying a few clothing items and a famous Philly cheese steak, not a fan. I know I’m going to get some flack for that statement. Not enough vegetables and too much meat for me. The next day walking around and seeing some of the historic sites of Philadelphia. The end.
Did the Million Woman March make an impact? At the time maybe, lasting not at all. How many times have you or someone you know ever talked about it? Were you even aware that there was such an event? I have a nightgown that reminds me of the March every time I wear it. Yes I have a 20 year old nightgown. But if I had not attend the March would I remember that it happened. Probably vaguely. Like I said I have a horrible memory for older events. I am sure that the founders may still have things going on that are tied to the original event. There is nothing on a mainstream level that I have heard of. Hell what was the purpose of the march? The Million Woman March was similar to the Million Man March. It was a March organized by African American women to bring awareness to social conditions, injustices and inequality experienced by African American woman. We were coming together as women to support each other and encourage each other.
Recently I walked in another March, the Women’s March. I attended a local March in Ann Arbor, Michigan with my dear friend Sherry. Her friend made us pussycat hats and I took my walking sticks. We chanted and cheered with other women and a fair amount of men who love their women. When I made it home to look at all the news stories from around the world in support of the Women’s March, I teared up. It touched my heart. I was humbled by the amount of people that showed up to protest the treatment of women in 2017. And here I was a part of a similar March in 1997. Why are we still revisiting the same issues? As a married woman you cannot get your tubes tied without permission from your husband. As a married man, he can get a vascetomy and you would be none the wiser. Huh? Women in similar or equal positions to men in the workforce are still being paid less. Oh we dont have families to feed too? Women are sexually assaulted on a regular basis, even big name celebrities, and it is ignored or looked at as normal. What? The loser currently holding office as President is shown on tape talking about how he sexually assaults women and people vote him into office because God forbid you vote for a woman. The worst part is that women who should be looking out for other women support him. Girl, you just another nasty bleeding pussy to him. I can’t make sense out of that.
After 20 years, nothing has changed. Black women are not united, we do not march through our day to day lives encouraging and uplifting each other and we do not stand in support of each other. I know this statement has ruffled some feathers and that’s fine because the truth hurts. When I say this I’m not talking about your friends. Of course we do that for our friends. I’m talking about random women. Women you meet at your job, women you see walking down the street, women you see at social events. How often do you compliment a woman of color? When you see a woman succeeding in life at her own business or whatever she chooses to be, do you go over and encourage her? Or when you see a woman down and out, do you uplift her? I did not used to do these things when I was younger. Now I am quick to offer a compliment, high five someone about their successes and give any woman an encouraging word and send prayers up on her behalf. I don’t care who you are. Race is not a factor for me. We are all women and that is the bonding factor. I realize that all women in this society are not seen as equal. But that shouldn’t stop us from supporting each other. How will we ever get to where we want to go by letting our color divide us? We won’t.
I am not a feminist. I’m just a woman, a black woman, that is seen as less than in a society that is ruled by men. Stupid ass men. As a woman, I want my rights to be equal to theirs. And if my participation at 19 years old in a march and 39 years old in a different march brings some amount of awareness to our strength and our fight, I’m all for it. What I would really like to see is women truly coming together in our day to day lives standing up for each other, loving on each other and praying for each other. Women have so much more power than we are aware of. It’s time we start using it to help each other and therefore help the world.
For those who may not be aware, there is a Women’s Convention being held by the Women’s March organizers happening in Detroit, Michigan on October 27th – 29th. There will be about 42 speakers in attendance including featured speaker Rep. Maxine Waters. Side note, Maxine Waters was one of the speakers in the Million Woman March in 1997. The title is “Reclaiming Our Time”. If you have attended either of the two previous events I mentioned, tell me about your experiences. Did it change you in any way? If you plan on attending the upcoming event, why? What is your motivation? What would you, as a woman or man, like to see differently in this world where women are concerned? What are you willing to do to effect change? Please share your comments on this post. Or as always, you can email me at elsims27@yahoo.com.
P.S.
Sorry I’m late. I fell asleep.
