Women’s March 2019
I struggled a lot with deciding to write this post. After the election of 2016, I struggled a lot with my blog overall. It felt small, pathetic, and unimportant compared to the issues we were going to be facing with the new administration. But I received a lot of encouragement to keep going, as it is important to still have joy in your life. I also believed I wanted to keep my blog free of politics. But today I’m throwing that out the window, because what I’ve realized is that women’s rights, trans rights, gay rights, and civil rights are not a political matter, politicians have made them as a means of control. Today also gave me a perspective on history, which is an aspect of this blog.
As many of you know, I have a bachelor’s degree in history, with a focus on the mid-20th century in America. A great deal of progress was made in America during that time. We had the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and the Feminist Movement of the 1970s, all of which helped broaden equality across race and gender. But today there are many who would love to turn back the clock, and I’m here to tell you, despite my love for “all things vintage” I’m not one for the laws, sexism, and racism of the time, so I will not quietly see my rights taken away. That is why I marched in the Women’s March (the Orange County one) over the weekend, along side Pat, who took all of these amazing photos, and my dear friend, Kaitlyn.
Oh, and I know I mentioned in my On the Basis of Sex post I made the RGB dissent collar to wear to this, at the last minute I decided to change my outfit, opting for a 60s look.
I had a special appreciation for this sign, as it harkened back to my favorite election, which was the one of 1964 between President Lyndon B. Johnson, and Senator Barry Goldwater. Goldwater suggested the use of atomic bombs in Vietnam, and for his campaign ran with the slogan “In Your Heart You Know He’s Right” to which Johnson supporters responded with “In Your Guts You Know He’s Nuts.”
It is shocking to me that I’m still marching to make it known as a woman I am worthy of respect, that I am more than a sexual object or a womb. It is shocking that I still have to march to keep the right to choose. It is shocking we have had to have so many different “waves” of feminism over the years. One or two didn’t take care of it all. I made a double signed sign to reflect my frustration in having the knowledge of the movements from the past, and in retrospect I feel like I should have made a sign that said something like “I just arrived from 1969, and we’re still fighting for women’s rights?!” Maybe next time!
I’m a historian, I know what marches do. I know the outcome. Marches show a desire for change. Those who are silent and complacent will not be looked back on positively. I’m here to be part of that change. I’m here to show my support for women, the LGBTQ community, and people of color. I know where the right side of history is and it is not with hate and white supremacy. Spoiler alert: the Nazis lose.
I want to address the recent information regarding one of the Women’s March founders having anti-Semitic ties. First, I condemn all anti-Semitic words and actions. Second, in Saturday’s march I saw women of the Jewish faith marching, according to their signs. And third, of the organizers of the Orange County march spoke often of welcoming all religions.
Outfit
Scarf, Earrings & Bangles: ???
Coat & Dress: Belonged to my mother
Motherfuckin’ Woman Pin: Kesha
Shoes: Target
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You are a total badass.
Thank you!
The rights you are standing up for are not just personal rights of the individual involved, but human rights that have an effect for all of us. I remember the election of 1964 as an 11 year old who was scared of the reality of the nuclear weapons that I grew up with. I was relieved that Johnson won that election, making the world at least safe for another ten or so minutes…I understand the reluctance to speak out, the fear that your ideals, thoughts and anger will be misconstrued, that as a blogger (a form of entertainment), it might not be right for you to speak up (at least that’s my impression of how you feel)…I was one of the folk who wrote to you in 2016, frustrated as you were (and still are) and all I have to say is go for it. You have the right, as a citizen of this often bizarre and contradictory country to speak your mind, especially when there are factions and individuals who are actively trying to take that right from you. DO NOT LET THEM…I am an old man, but your spirit, as well as the spirits of my grandchildren who, young as they are, see what needs to be done and are willing to stand up for what we believe in and ultimately what is right, not just for ourselves but for those who follow. And in the end, that is what all of us should be looking toward…a better future for those who follow. Hang in there young lady…speak your mind, stand up for what you believe in…
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! I have always felt confident in speaking around my friends, however, yes, when it comes to a different, wider platform, such as blogging, there is a desire, out of fear, to keep things neutral by just not talking about certain things.
Oh, one more thing…love the sign! Those who forget…
I’m on board for a vintage-wearing posse of angry, well-dressed women marching in the next round. You’ve said everything I’ve been thinking. We’re STILL fighting the same fight? We’ve been there, done that, and it IS shocking that we’re having to do it again.
Good for you!!! Thank you for doing the march. I follow you and find you delightful. I’m old (my granddaughter got me to you) and I grew up in the 40’s and graduated from the university of Colorado in 1961. Your clothes, your house and your decorating bring back such happy memories. I don’t march now but I have fought for equal rights for us thru the struggles. We are still not there but thru your efforts and my daughters and others, we will get there. Thank you ( My daughters are now wishing I hadn’t given all my mid century modern furniture alway because they now want it! Funny. )
Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for the work you did! Without you and others like you, we wouldn’t be where we are today!!!
Thank you for marching! I’m 56 years old and can’t believe we are still having to do this.
Janey! You nailed it and you are simply awesome…and such an inspiration is SO many ways! –Erik in Ohio
RIGHT ON!!!
Love this, and love you!
Thanks for making it to the march and for your words here.
And…
as always, you look so great!
Thank you so much for saying this. The bullying that is prevalent online (and within the current administration) now keeps many people silent, so I’m here to support you and applaud your stance. We can’t let them silence us. I keep in my mind the old poem, “First They Came”:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
The ones “they” have come for this time around may be different, but the end result is the same. Shameful.
Thank you for your kind words.
I first read that poem in middle school, and it stuck with me since. It is powerful and speaks greatly to helping others.
Janey, There’s so much to say. First, your history education was my life! My biggest problem with the present situation with our sorry president is the gut-wrenching deja vu he induces. I lived through Nixon and Watergate, and I should not have to live through this. One of the biggest disappointments of my life was the failure of the Equal Rights Amendment. The future is with you. I thought my generation (Boomers) would change the world, but boy, was I wrong! Stay tough.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lizzie!
I’m so glad you wrote this article on your blog. I lived through the history you studied as well and it gets so frustrating that we are going backwards in this country after making some progress. Reading your article helps knowing that we are not alone and together we will push back against the hate and divisiveness of this administration.
Thanks for writing this. Never be silent.
We all need to find fun things to be involved in or we will all go nuts! So I’m glad you have continued your blog. We also need to be involved with the serious issues of the day. So good to see you getting out there and voicing your concerns. I went to Salem OR for the march. Keep moving forward, one tiny step at a time.