I was in a sea of afros, twist outs, finger waves, wash and go's, and every Black women's style you could think of. There were women every shade of brown, every size imaginable, every sexuality, and every background and though every women was different we were all gathered at the March for Black Women for the same reason, to spread love, positivity, to empower each other, and to fight for our rights.
So what exactly were we fighting for? We marched to end violence against Black women, to renew the violence against women act. We marched against sexual assault, against all of those who perpetuate rape-culture. We marched against Brett Kavanaugh, a man accused of sexual assault, and up for one of the most influential positions in America. We marched for survivors. We marched for Sandra Bland, Kayla Moore, Rekia Boyd and all of those women affected by police violence.We marched against homelessness, deportation, police violence. We marched for intersectionality. We marched against racism AND sexism. At the same time. a black women in the eyes of the other one does not trump the other.
Black women are always fighting for others, but who is fighting for us? This march was an opportunity for us and our allies to come out and advocate for Black women around the county. Our needs have been largely ignored by the feminist movement and the pro-Black movement. As hard as we fought for those movements the energy wasn't matched when it came to issues that predominantly affect Black women, and honestly this march kind of showed that. Yes, the march was well attended, but if you compare it to the Women's March (which may have well been the white women's march, let's be honest) or even Black Lives Matter it was small, yet Black women were paving the way in these marches. To me, that just kind of shows the dynamic that so many people were pointing at the march, that people rely on Black women to lead them, organize them, and fight for them, but when it comes to Black women, they have to fight for themselves. And though I would be remiss to not mention that there were a lot of allies there to support (shout out to all of you all <3) I just feel like considering all that Black women contribute to our society there should've been so many more.
Even still, marching down the middle of the street in the nation's capital army of women who look like you and believe in the same things as you is as empowering and beautiful as any moment that I've had in my life. Walking down the street, surrounded with chants of "Black sisters matter" with people who are dedicated to creating a better environment for Black women was a moment where I felt both at peace and as strong as I ever have. It's an amazing thing to watch, hundred of people gathering to support and protect people like you. You are in a space where there's only love and support for *you* and the type of person you are and you are encouraged to fight for yourself and your rights without holding back.
& on that note,
PROTECT black women. RESPECT black women. ELECT black women
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