women's march on washington

So many things on my mind seeing the hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets today in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington.

Our country is a political dumpster fire. We've actually elected a reality show star for president. His cabinet is full of anti-gay, anti-poor, anti-women racists and corporatists. His first speech as president was written by racist-in-chief, Steve Bannon, and took a decidedly nationalistic and patriarchal tone (and even plagiarized Bane to boot). They don't even try to hide their contempt for non-WASPs, especially women, utilizing political slogans from the golden age of American nationalism and repression, and wasting no time in ridding the White House website of references to the LGBT rights, climate change, and civil rights. It's like I've died and woken up in the prequel to A Handmaid's Tale.

The protests are amazing. But protesting alone isn't going to fix the problem. Yes, it gives people hope, and it forces the ruling class to pay attention to the real anger, frustration, and suffering of all those who are discriminated against and marginalized. It shows their numbers and their solidarity, their willingness to shut everything down, to not be further victimized or ignored. But it also unintentionally harms a lot of working-class people, those who can't afford to take days off work to be out in the streets otherwise they'd be out on the streets.

Shutting down bridges and public transit gets the ruling class' attention, but it also prevents working-class parents from getting home to their children after a long workday. It sends a powerful message to the minority in power, but it can also alienate huge pockets of working people. The fight must also include educating people about the importance of resistance and the ways real people are being harmed, as well as long-term strategies for staying relevant and not burning out, utilizing political activism and community organizing as much as direct action.

And while intersectionality is super important to any movement geared towards equality, women have definitely been at the forefront of the fight to put out this particular dumpster fire. They're out there marching and organizing and making their voices heard, which is amazing. Women have been the motivating force of this resistance from day one, and they are inspiring solidarity amongst all walks of life with their fire and determination.

I'm not sure what's going to come out of the seeds of today, but I'm cautiously optimistic about the future. Not because of my faith in our political system, but my faith in ordinary, everyday people. And I'm proud to follow the lead of all the amazing women who are leading the way into a better tomorrow.