Reflections on the Womens' March--a poem
May 28, 2019
First story
I showed my solidarity,
I did it voluntarily.
The movement’s popularity
and issues that seemed clear to me
drew me in with many others,
with our sisters, daughters, mothers
to a protest, all newcomers,
so astounding in our numbers!
Yet I’ve been reading and reflecting
on things I hadn’t been suspecting
that folks around me are suggesting:
with our whiteness we’re suppressing
many voices with our choices,
our advantage, and exemption
to injustice in our favor,
which has slipped past our attention.
I’ve come to see with clarity
immeasurable disparity
bolstered by the systems
that brought middle class prosperity.
The ones to blame, my people,
escaped their crimes with full impunity.
Others suffered from their actions,
but it bought me white immunity.
This doesn’t mean I do not suffer
disadvantage as a woman,
nor should it cut me from the movement,
seen as a demon on a cushion.
But it demands responsibility,
to share a greater load,
revamp advantage into action
helping others down this road.
And yet it’s only now I realize
my life is truly cushy
when the thing that riles me up the most
is just this president and p*ssy!
‘Cause if I’m just a weekend ally,
not a go-for-broke accomplice,
I ignore the greater outcry,
and there’s little I accomplish.
Do we dismiss as unimportant
or as angry, bitter chatter
when fellow humans, in a torrent
just want to say that their lives matter?
Do we hijack other cultures
hemming in their visibility
while swooping in like pink-eared vultures
ignoring those with disability?
Can folks without a vulva
still be welcomed as a sister?
And can we find a place to fit
all forms of faith into the picture,
and manage inclusivity
in talk of sexuality,
give the poor a better portion
and just maybe, listen more to nuanced views on, yes, abortion?
May new knowledge of my privilege
guide the language in this message
and give folks like me the courage
to assess the real damage
of our ignorance and arrogance,
injurious indifference,
and every shameful tolerance
of every hurtful utterance
of words that seek to silence
or condone ongoing violence.
May we seek wise words and guidance,
consider fully our alliance,
and then stand as one together, f
acing off each one’s oppressor,
with humility, much better, bring justice, equal rights forever.