EHS students attended Women’s March on Washington

story by Melanie Reese≫

More than one million hopeful American men, women and children of all ethnicities and religions rallied in major cities all around the nation on Saturday, January 21, according to the Washington Post. The national event is known as the 2017 Women’s March on Washington. Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, a diverse range of people from all corners of the nation came together to support equal rights for all people.

Some of the Eudora community members attended the Kansas City march.

“Women are generally thought of as the caretakers of love,” said Shaun Musick, mother of Leslie Douglas, Jr. “We’re coming together to protect the rights of all people: gays, blacks, poor, immigrants, etc. and I think it’s important to stand up for the protection of everyone.”

Over Trump’s timeline of presidential campaigning and before in his publicly famous life, he had made comments about immigrants, those of colors and of women. An infamous quote reported by Washington Post, from our nation’s president and the most powerful man in the world, Donald J. Trump: “Your girls hot as sh–, in the purple. I’ve gotta use some tic tacs, just in case I start kissing her. And when you’re a star they let you do it. Grab them by the pus–. You can do anything.”

As a man who represents millions of people, he is very influential. Generations of Americans may look up to him and his actions, creating a domino effect of, in this case, making it OK to objectify women.

“Trump’s comments about women are extremely upsetting to me,” said Emma Schmidt, Sr. “But the fact that he can say those things without facing any sort of consequence is beyond upsetting. It’s disgusting. It’s insulting to me as a woman that the American people would tolerate that sort of behavior from anyone. The fact that he became president after saying those awful things is just ludicrous. There was a time when I refused to believe that my country would ever fail me. Now I have been told that I don’t matter.”

Fears similar to Huff’s were visibly present during the march. Many signs along the lines of ‘This pu— fights back’ were common, as well as a common clothing item. Pink hats were hand-made and sported throughout America called ‘Pus– hats’.

For the march, there were people who supported many causes: the acknowledgement and government support of climate change, to stop the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, funding towards Planned Parenthood, helping immigrants and refugees, wage equality, social equality and more.

“The stories of refugees [are really important to me],” said Leslie Douglas, Jr. “They spoke of how it’s easier to get into Harvard than it was to get citizenship into the United States. I think it’s crazy and definitely something I want to fight for.”

Adults were not the only ones to attend the marches. Children and teenagers were well in attendance in KC and at the hundreds of other sites all over America as well.

However, there may be question as to why young Americans who can’t yet vote should voice their opinion and participate in the march. As a comment on a private EHS student’s instagram account mentioned, ‘protesting in Kansas as a 14 or 15 year old will make no difference.’

Yet, adults still vote in Kansas even though the end vote will ultimately only support Republican. This is a result of the nation sticking to the electoral college – a system which allows for a candidate to lose the popular vote and still win the presidency and represent the majority of people who did not support that individual.

“I think it’s important for those under 18 to attend the marches because it is the future generation of America, after all,” said Haley Hoffman, Jr.

But the voting is now in the past, and the march sent a message to the nation. The march was able to bring together people of all ages, genders, religions and more to raise awareness that there needs to be change in the country. It allowed for individuals to be surrounded by others to gain confidence that there is a growing desire among millions for a country that is filled with equality and security.

Many different speakers appeared at rallies all over the nation. In Kansas City, different individuals shared their personal stories on a stage at Washington Square Park about hardships they have faced in our society.

“So many of the speakers’ stories stood out to me,” said Hoffman. “Each person got so into what they were saying and you could hear the passion in each of their voices and the longing to be heard. The many immigrants who spoke about their struggles to their journey to the US and how they are the exact same people as us really hit home. Another woman was fighting for her trans rights and LGBT rights, her passion was so imminent and everyone really got riled up and motivated.

“Lastly, a woman shared her story with rape. After a terrible ordeal, she described how her two-year-old held her hand through the whole attack. During this, the whole park with 10,000 people grew so silent, you could really feel the sadness and impact. Each person made each thing they fought for become something that you yourself was rooting for, and I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.”

Over the nation, American speakers encouraged the marchers to call the numbers of House Speaker Paul Ryan and local US Senator: 202-225-3121 and 202-224-5721 every day, and in effect, the grand numbers of equality supporters will help to make a change happen.

Hoffman shares her hope for America.

“The sooner that young minds become exposed to the harsh truths of the world and learn to love and respect each other sooner, the more hope I think we can have for the future.”