Last weekend, millions around the world and thousands in Indianapolis participated in the Women’s March Indiana, Reclaiming Our State: Power to the Polls. While I was unable to be an active participant in the local march, it was still incredibly gratifying to see so many people engaged in such a positive and motivating endeavor.
The marches were in opposition to President Trump’s stance on women’s rights, LGBT rights, abortion and immigration.
As I watched highlights from various marches throughout the country and heard some of the powerful female speakers, I couldn’t help but feel an incredible sense of pride, specifically relative to how far women have come. While we still have a considerable way to go, I am confident we will get there largely because of the activism of women.
After last year’s Women’s March, an increased number of women ran for elected office — another objective of the movement. In addition, that was also the time when the #MeToo movement that denounces sexual misconduct grew by leaps and bounds; increasing awareness and encouraging people to share their stories of sexual violence.
Since the demonstrations, the topic of the importance of women supporting other women has intensified with tremendous fever, resulting in passionate conversations and also heated debates. Over the past several days, I have witnessed people being reduced to tears as they shared their perspectives, while other conversations were more like those tense boxing weigh-ins when the fighters stare one another down and some even result to screaming matches.
From observing the conversations and not saying much, to being the most loquacious person in the group I realize the demonstration of “support” is actually relative. Before one can truly desire or denounce support of themselves or from others, they must first determine what support means to them.
For some people, support means they want others to embrace what they do or say — no questions asked. Support to another group of people means they want others to do the work for them … the heavy lifting, the thinking, the execution. While others want support, they want it in what I consider is the truest form — the kind that is thoughtful but also objective.
The latter is what can take us the furthest as individuals and as a whole.
Life is short and most of us want to live it to the fullest, which means reaching our maximum capacity. Surrounding ourselves with yes people won’t help us in that quest. Nor will having others do all the work while we rest on our laurels. The only way to reach our highest levels is by doing the work and surrounding ourselves with people who support us when we are doing right but are also honest with us when we are wrong or need to challenge our own thinking.
One of the things I value most about the people close to me is when they keep it real with me — even if the realness is difficult to bear. I appreciate when someone speaks to me in an authentic manner and their message is derived from a sincere place. If I am wrong, I don’t have a problem with someone saying that I am wrong. If I should look at something from a different perspective, I am OK with someone suggesting that as well. Diversity of thought is just as important and effective as is diversity of age, ethnicity and experiences.
It saddens me when I see women who have diverse perspectives, yet they can’t appreciate or respect another woman whose thoughts aren’t parallel to their own.
I have seen women go to great lengths to intentionally try to destroy another woman. Such actions sadden me immensely.
We have to make an effort to be kinder to one another. We must also learn to work through our differences. I think women are the strongest, most compassionate beings alive. When we use our power for good and not evil, we are one step closer to being as powerful, strong and fearless as the millions of people who marched last week and countless others already know we are. I encourage all women to put our differences aside and use our true power to transform our neighborhoods, cities and this country. We can do it!
