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Why I March

Before you bypass this and think it is just another political post, I want to share something I’ve been tussling with for the past several days. I’ve done my best to avoid the news, and my Facebook feed with many in heated arguments, regardless of party. Many are divided, angry at one another, bitter, mean, and some even vicious. Its just extremely tumultuous, and I am horrified.

Last night, I finally got the kids down, and turned on the tv to decompress, when I caught a piece of Trump’s speech. It’s no secret I did not vote for the man, nor do I share in any of his beliefs. The way he spoke out to the people gave me chills, reminding me of my grandfather. My grandfather was not the nicest person. He never treated anyone with respect. You see, my grandfather had money, so he fancied that he had some sort of power, playing some like puppets. His ways were the root of many problems with his children, but it’s something that he said to my sister and I when we were younger that I will never forget. He told us that it doesn’t matter if we went to college, rather we should focus on marrying a rich man. And with this, his advice to my brother was quite different, as he encouraged him to make money. Naturally, my mother shut that shit down real fast. But you know what, I think his misogynist behavior pushed me to evolve into the hard working, strong individual that I am today. I went to college, while simultaneously working a full time job, before getting my bachelors degree. After this monumental accomplishment, you know what he does? He handed me an envelope, with a smirk on his face, and told me he didn’t put money in it, because I never finished paying him back from the money he gave me to pay off a credit card bill the year prior. From then on, I lost all respect for him. As callous as it may sound, when he died, it was like a huge relief, on all of us. In my heart, I do believe he went to hell.

Many of these memories, which have been suppressed for years, came flooding back when I was listening this man who would become our next president speak. This man is just like my grandfather. A man who devalues women, exuding arrogance, racism, and hate. He is someone who doesn’t believe how far we’ve come in the last eight years. It’s really sad.

And so, tomorrow, I will march, because I am raising three children, two of which are girls, and I never ever want anyone to tell them that they shouldn’t be treated equally as men. Or that they shouldn’t worry about getting an education, or that the government should have say on what they do with their bodies. My girls are too young to grasp this yet, but I know when they get older, they will remember the day their mother went out to march for them. I will march for my children, and their children, and their children, who need to grow up in world that believes in humanity, and values girls and women equally.

I will continue to raise my family to choose love, not hate.

 

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9 thoughts on “Why I March”

  1. As a black immigrant woman from the Island, I’m standing on your shoulders. Your writing is poignant, yet progressive. As President Obama states, change is not in him but in each of us. Thanks for being the voice of change. Thanks for not allowing your departed grandfather’s venomous poisons of hatred, racism and misogyny to breed ill-will in you. You’re an ambassador of goodwill and your children are blessed to have you as their beacon.
    I’ve seen some of the public examples you’ve set for them: your trip to Jamaica, lending a hand, caring and sharing. I pray that your resolve to march, to shine a light in the darkened areas of our country and abroad will never be diminished.
    The tears that rolled down my cheeks as I read your article is not of sadness but for the change that I’m witnessing and the hope that is alive.
    Keep on marching my sister. Keep on raising your voice for the voiceless.
    I salute you mother of faith and woman of strength!

  2. You are setting a wonderful example for your children and standing tall for women (and men) everywhere who see that equality for all is the only just and righteous path for this nation (and the world). Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  3. Sarah Donza-Hughes

    Brianne, it must have taken so much bravery to hit publish on this post! My mom and aunts will be marching in NYC tomorrow wearing their pink hats. Go get em girl, do it for our girls (and boys) future!!!!!

  4. Julie Inzanti-Laney

    Brianne, Brianne…I’m crying as I type this… I am so so proud of you. This was auch a powerful and beautiful and courageous post! You are one of the reasons why I will march tomorrow! Women need to stick together! We need strong mothers, like you, to set an example for our daughters. LET’S DO THIS!!!!!!

  5. Pingback: Bring It 2018 | Stroller in the City

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