By Laura Townsend
Following the Women’s March on Jan. 21, I was surprised to find that many people were taking to social media to accuse those who did not participate of being anti-feminist. Accusing someone of this for the sole reason of not marching indicates that there is only one way to be a feminist. This is simply not true. It’s time that feminists support each other instead of tearing each other down in the name of a movement that is meant to unite us.
I am a proud feminist, which in its simplest terms means I believe in equal rights for all genders. In my case, it also means that I stand up for my rights and those of my fellow females when I see they are being ignored.
It means that I support all women, regardless of the color of their skin or their reproductive organs. It means that I support all men, regardless of the color of their skin or their reproductive organs. It means that I support equality for all people, everywhere.
I did not attend the march this past weekend. I spent Jan. 21 driving across three states for six hours, stuck in traffic and heartsick that I could not join my friends in standing up against a president we do not believe in, in standing together for rights that we deserve. I do not think my absence from the march makes me any less of a feminist. My absence from the march did not affect the strength of my beliefs or transform my values in any way. I was a feminist when I woke up Saturday morning and a feminist when I went to sleep Saturday night.
On Sunday, I witnessed hatred spewed from people who accused those absent from the march of being anti-feminist. I saw a multitude of these types of posts and articles, calling people out for not caring about women’s rights. This surprised and confused me. It angered me. People cannot tear each other down at a time when it is so imperative to come together and take action to achieve equal rights. If we fight against each other, we will never achieve our goal.
There are many ways to show support for feminism. Attending the march was one wonderful and commendable way. Donating money to feminist organizations such as Planned Parenthood or Women’s Global Empowerment Fund is another fantastic way. Calling your senators to tell them about the importance of maintaining the rights we have been granted and fighting for the ones we have yet to achieve is another still.
Standing up against sexual assault, harassment, and rape is another critically important way to support women.
If you stand in support of all women, if you believe in equality and do not work, speak, or fight against it, then you are a feminist.
If you are a feminist who did not attend the march, it is OK. You did not do anything wrong. You are still a feminist. I am still a feminist.
If you did attend the march and believe that those who did not do not stand beside you in this cause, you are mistaken. We do. We are in this fight together.