Blog

MARCHING TO MY OWN BLEAT

On a week that starts with honoring one of the world’s most recognized figures of peace, protest and civil disobedience, it seems fitting to close it out with a march.

On a week that starts with honoring one of the world’s most recognized figures of peace, protest and civil disobedience, it seems fitting to close it out with a march.

This Thursday, I’ll be heading to D.C. for the Women’s March on Washington. As a woman, as a mother, as a small business owner and as an American, it’s important for me to participate in not just this march but in the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly call to be engaged in our country’s democratic process. My husband and eight-week old will be marching with me. We’re doing this as a family—and I can’t wait to someday tell my son about it. This is the world he is inheriting and I want him to know I did all I could to make sure it’s the best world it can be. 

This march is not a protest of Donald Trump, though I am deeply concerned about his ability to lead this nation, heal our divides and put us all on the path to prosperity. It’s a demonstration—a showing of strength and solidarity. It’s a reminder to those that represent us that we are the people, too—that our leaders have to be leaders for all of us, not just the few that voted in their favor. 

And let me get this out of the way—if you’re a person who voted for Donald Trump, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I may not understand your point of view, but I’m listening. I hope you’ll listen, too. Because we both need to better hear each other in order to move forward in peace, abundance and growth. Like a family in the midst of a deep disagreement, we have to look past our differences and find our way back to commonality. We are far too much alike to get mired down by our differences. We are all Americans. We all want safety, security, a decent wage, a community to belong to and a way to make a living. I want that for you and I want that for me. I want that for our neighbors, too. I want the opportunities I’ve had to be there for my child and for your children. But let’s be clear: I am not cowing to those that preach fear, hate and discrimination. I won’t be told to be quiet, compliant and disengaged. These people represent me, too. They need to understand what that means. 

On January 21st, that means I march. I march because I care about women’s rights. I march because Black Lives Matter. I march because every refugee should be welcome. I march for marriage equality. I march as a constituent, as an ally, as a woman, as a mother and as an American. Most importantly of all, I march.

“We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.

Aimee Woodall

@aimeewoodall
@ShearCreativity: