I vote, but I don’t vote a party line and I always try to support whoever makes it to office with the intent to support our ongoing struggle to fight for justice and equality. I rankle when public servants impose their personal agendas on us.
Because this nation’s last presidential election was so, well, bazaar, I decided to make my way to the Women’s March, to unite for the sake of uniting.
While traveling to Washington D.C. on Friday, I sat in a truck stop diner eating lunch and watched and listened to the inauguration over the television. President Trump spoke pointedly against government status-quo.
But, my take-away on the inauguration was President Obama’s display of decency. A decency I hope never to forget and always to respect.
Come Saturday morning, I was on The Mall at 7 a.m. Words that come to mind to describe my observations until 6 p.m. are: impressive, well-organized, peaceful, offensive, and massive.
I chatted with Lisa Christopher. She told me, “I’ve lived in Washington D.C. for thirty years. I walk this street to work every day. This is big. I haven’t seen close to this big of a crowd since President Obama’s first inauguration. This is big. I was here yesterday during President Trump’s inauguration and it was nothing like this. I had to come see it for myself.”
Apparently, arrests were made on the day of the president’s inauguration. I was aware of no arrests on January 21.
The Women’s March pulled in an estimated 500,000 people.
Activist, Gloria Steinem, told us, “You look great. I wish you could see yourselves. It’s like an ocean.”
Steinem thanked the “hardworking visionaries. The women who led this inclusive march, one of which gave birth when organizing.”
Mayor of Washington D.C., the Honorable Muriel Bowser, talked about female empowerment and D.C. statehood. She told the crowd that women officials are more wrongly criticized than men, and when women are more harshly criticized for speaking up for equality, both women and men need to speak up for women.
The list of speakers goes on. Much of the language mirrored the condemnatory, self-serving agenda rhetoric touted by President Trump. But the majority demonstrated and gave voice and presence to integrity. I hope the same for new administration.
I personally knew someone at the March who voted for Trump. The voter wasn’t angry, but he listened to the marchers. I listened. We went to learn.
When the over-extended, fatigued human emotions were filtered out, a strain of awareness was apparent.
It was a show of we the people. Waking up maybe.
Singer, Alicia Keys, recited Maya Angelou’s poem, “I Rise,” before telling the crowd to respect mother energy.
Filmmaker, Michael Moore, encouraged us to join organizations, talk to our representatives, and run for office. He said, “Petition to run for any public office, whether for congress or the school board, be active.”
A few favorite signs I saw bobbing up and down in the crowd read: Trump, start leading, stop tweeting. All elections matter, local, state, national. I’m with her (next to a picture of the Statue of Liberty).
Once the speakers ceased, the mass of human bodies began walking to the White House.
The march was orderly, respectful, and powerful. We made way for wheelchairs and strollers without hesitation. There were some crude signs and language, but it didn’t barb the true purpose to unite and fight as we the people for the higher good.
During the hours required for the gathering to move, they chanted or rather yelled. The chant I remember: What does democracy look like? This is what democracy looks like.
Tagged: fight for life, stop complacency, womensmarch
Healing Science Today 
Dear Cheryl Your post is really calling my attention: as a CS student, I have the highest respect for Mrs. Eddy’s stand against misrepresentation, slander and false news, all exemplified in the motto of the Chrtistian Science Monitor, when created by her. Unfortunately, it seems to me, the CSM has forgotten its roots and joined the mainstream News Industry of the world to systematically hurt or misrepresent Mr. Donald Trump’s campaign to give back power and well-being to the American People (vs. the so-called System). At the same time the said mainstream News has praised the Clinton’s view of the world (continuing the Obama line) although scandals, wars and poverty have paved the past Administration. I am not talking about the alleged misconduct of Mrs. Clinton, yet to be fully investigated. Now, I read your comments on the Saturday March of Women and ask myself whether this anti-Trump outburst is really the answer to the discontent of the 50% of the American People who didn’t win this time. Instead of attacking the legitimately elected President, why not “pray for him” to ensure that Peace and Prosperity finally come? I wish you a Happy New Year. Claude Bertin Mexico City
Dear Claude,
Thanks you so much for your thoughts. I agree about being positive toward and praying for our leaders. That is why I attended the Women’s March. I stood with those marchers who weren’t slamming Trump, and yes, prayerful people were at the women’s march.
I continue to find people who courageously recognize that the Women’s March was evidence that “we the people” are empowered to be truthful.
In other words, our intents weren’t aimed at Trump or Clinton, but at truth.
The same goes for when I revised Mrs. Eddy’s “Science and Health.” I didn’t do it because someone was right or wrong, but because truth is ever-revealing and it is up to us, not only leaders, to manifest unfolding spiritual ideas. We all are empowered by truth, to be truthful and to be useful.
I’ll tell you: the day after the Women’s March, I attended a nearly empty church service at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in New York City. The members insistence that we must study Mrs. Eddy’s writings is resistance to studying and advancing Christian Science. However, that doesn’t stop us and others from discovering and being embraced by and sharing and advancing truth or Christian Science. We can advance truth seeking for the ordinary person as “we the people” whether through our participation in our nation or revisions of books with good ideas or a multitude of other beautiful ways.
Thank you for praying for our leaders.
Cheryl
Cheryl, I very much enjoyed this article. Thanks for covering this march and sharing your impressions.
Thank you for reading, Holly, I’m still learning from the experience. Spiritual ideas continue to unfold. God’s ideas unfold for all of us, no matter where we are and what we are doing.