Be the change

Yesterday’s Women’s March in LA was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The energy of the crowd was positive, uplifting and empowering. When I got home and saw the news coverage from all the world, I felt beyond honored to be part of this movement. 

Why did I march? Because it doesn’t matter that I went to a private school, that I worked at museums and that I was born in the states. I’ve been to parts of this country that do not care about my work or contributions. I’m just brown. I grew up in a community where I was called spic and immigrant regularly. I know what it’s like to be that kid, that woman, that person who is judged by the way they look. I marched for every person who has ever been discriminated against, hurt and brutally targeted because they were born with more melanin. 

I marched for my aunt, who is gay. I heard the whispers, and I saw the rejection from loved ones when I was growing up. As a child, I never understood it. As a woman, I still don’t. It pains me to know that the LGBT community is a target, and that their lives are at risk because of ignorance. Enough already.

I marched for the victims of sexual abuse. Words can’t explain how deep rooted this issue is for me. No woman should ever know what it’s like to be violated. No woman. Ever.

I marched for our right to choose what we do with our bodies. It is not the government’s place to dictate what we should do with our reproductive organs. It is also extremely dangerous to cut funding from places that provide safe services and education to women and men. 

I marched for the many communities that feel scared, unrepresented and lost in this new administration. I was there to be the voice for those who can’t speak and for those who go unheard when they do.

It was a powerful day across the world. We took a stand. Our voices were heard. Now it’s time to do the work.

If you’re not sure what to do next, Women’s March wrote out a plan to get us started. It was clear that millions of people want peace, acceptance and unity. But we have to keep doing the work.

Be the change you want to see in the world.