Categorized | Editorial, Local Perspectives

Our Perspective on the Women’s March on Washington 1/20/17-1/22/17

This past weekend saw the Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

The crowds included people from all over the world, but the most talked about event was the Women’s March which not only occurred in Washington D.C. ,but nationwide and all over the world.

This march began because of a Facebook Post that went viral after shortly after the election. More and more participants got together and organized a worldwide march.

What many people who were curios what was the reason why they were marching, there were many different answers.

Many people marched based on statements that were made by Trump during his campaign Others marched because for different reasons.

If you go to their website www.womensmarch.com you will see a laundry list of their issues.

Before the Inauguration, there was another stink going on about any Black individual or organization who spoke to Trump and/or were planning to participate in the Trump Inauguration Ceremoies. This is embarrassing and I say, “Enough already!”

Instead of complaining and protesting and sitting it out, the most constructive thing you can do is try to line up a meeting with Trump to discuss your concerns and fears. It’s not up to you to condemn others who are trying to open up a line of communication.

Talladega College *Photo Courtesy AP

In this editorial, I’m going to praise Dr. Billy C. Hawkins who is president of the historical Black College: Talladega College, Alabama. Their marching band participated in the Inauguration parade. Hawkins appeared on the Bill O’Reilly show and because of that appearance, the College was able to raise the much aneeded funding in their GoFundMe account to send their band to Washington D.C.

Now with the additional money from that college, they can offer scholarships to students who couldn’t afford the tuition before. This is a win-win situation.

This is outstanding for many reasons. This is the perfect opportunity for these students to visit Washington D.C. where they would not have been able to afford to go before. Besides participating in a Presidential Inauguration Festivities, this will be an opportunity for them to visit some of our historic sites in our Nation’s Capital, especially the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the newly opened Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture. These two memorials are shining examples to show the positive aspects of African-Americans and that is exactly what needs to be shown instead of some of the nonsense that I find embarrassing.

Let’s look at some of these real women who fought for real women’s rights:

Madame C.J. Walker: She was the first black female millionaire in America and the first woman of any race to be a self-made millionaire, born Dec. 23, 1867. It was reported that the people who worked for her made at least $5.00+ a day compared to unskilled white workers who earned $5.00 a week. She was also a philanthropist.

Mary Jane McLeod Bethune: She was an educated, author and African-American Civil Rights Leader. She was appointed a National Adviser to Franklin D. Roosevelt. She advised Roosevelt on issues concerning Black people.
Now, any African-Americans that are meeting with Donald Trump are being vilified from other Blacks who I feel are being unreasonable.

In the music industry where artists degrade women with their graphic lyrics. It’s even more embarrassing when it’s women degrading other women in their songs. This is bullying in its worst form and that is what some of these women’s groups should be protesting.

If you have a problem with Donald Trump coming in, it’s not up to you to denigrate others who are looking to a possible path to build bridges instead of burning them. Trump won because of the Electoral College Results, even though he lost on the popular vote. Not everyone lives in Los Angeles or New York City. You still have to remember that Trump defeated mostly career politicians. If these career politicians had pleased enough constituents nationally, Trump wouldn’t have been elected to office, period.

First of all, Trump is not the first incoming President that had protestors at their Inauguration. I just want these protesters to know: will they be raising funds to benefit those who they feel will be discriminated by Trump.
Personally, if I was invited to any Presidential Inauguration, let me tell you something – I’m going!

It’s about a peaceful transfer of power. There were people who called in radio stations to tell about their experiences at the Inauguration. One New Yorker and his 19 year old son said they met people who flew in for other countries, specifically for this event. These visitors explained that they wanted to see a peaceful transfer of power, which is something that they do not have in their country.

Another person who called was a woman who said her group came to support Trump. She said some of the women who were pro-choice were pleasant to them even though her group was pro-life. Others were not as polite, but all in all except for a few instances, it was a peaceful group.

To those politicians who decided to sit it out, that is your purgative, as it is with any of your fellow countrymen. But as a representative of your State, you have to remember those voters who voted for Donald J. Trump as President. and they also have to be taken into consideration. You are supposed to represent all of the people – not just some. You do them a disservice when you choose when you do not acknowledge a person who was dully elected by the election process.

Unless for some reason that calls for him to leave office, he is our President.

Many Hollywood stars criticize Trump as a misogynist and just as a hater of women in general. A lot people have been attacking Meryl Streep both as her ability as an actress on her looks and her age. They did this after she made comments at the Golden Globe Awards when she referenced Donald Trump. I’m not going to join those who denigrated her on her acting abilities, etc., but I am going to jar her memory. In the past she was one of many celebrities who gave Roman Polansky a standing ovation when he won an award. He could not be there to accept the award because he fled to another country to avoid be arrested for drugging and sexually assaulting a 13 year old. So, Ms. Streep aren’t we being a little hypocritical?

Then we have Madonna who spoke at the Women’s March – and I will confess, I enjoy her music and I believe she’s talented. But when she stated, “Yes, I’m angry. Yes, I am outraged. Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House. But I know that this won’t change anything.” What was she thinking? She has to remember the history of the White House and all of the famous women who lived there including Eleanor Roosevelt and many other strong women. Eleanor Roosevelt allowed Marion Anderson, a Black Opera Singer to perform at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939.

As an aside, remember in the United States, the protestors are protected by the Constitution. Look at other countries where protestors are automatically arrested/shot or tortured and then killed. Women tend to be the most victimized.

I also want to bring attention to human trafficking going on in the United States of young children: both girls and boys. There there at least 300,000 victims. There is a special unit in the FBI that deals specifically in this matter and they say it’s being pushed under the rug and it should be pushed in the forefront.

I wish as many protestors would show up to fight to stop this victimization.

It’s important even if you disagree vehemently, you owe it yourself and to your constituents to have your voice and their voice heard so you can all have equal footing. If you lock the door and throw away the key before allowing an exchange of ideas, you’re already admitting defeat.

C.M. & K.M.

P.S. If you or you know someone that has a rags to riches story that you feel should be told, please contact us. We would be more than happy to have you share your experience with others. May God Bless.

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