Why I Marched

January 21st, 2017. A day that will now go down in history as one of the largest protests in the history of the United States. People may forget the date, but they'll never forget the reasons.


These are the reasons why I marched.

I marched for my 93 year old great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, my three sisters, my nieces and my love E. I marched for the women that are the most important in my life. 

I also marched for my Muslim friend Ami and the love and peace that is shared between her and her husband. I marched for one of my best friends who is a transitioned trans-man and the fears that he has shared with me in something so simple as using the restroom in public. I marched for one of my oldest friends J and his husband. I marched for one of my closest friends who has been raped and for years was to terrified to tell anyone for fear that she wouldn't be believed. I marched for the countless other women and men who have been molested and raped and the fear that grips them. I marched for my Moms sister who was kidnapped and murdered and the life she never got to experience. I march for one of my African-American coworkers Father who gets threatened by the KKK on his postal route everyday. I marched for the countless first generation Mexican-American friends and coworkers and the beauty that their lives and their culture brings to this country. I marched because I was bullied through middle school and high school and it pains me to see a bully get off scot-free. I march for my girlfriend E and I's future and what this world might look like for us. I march for women who marry young because that is what society tells them to do. I marched for women who did not march, because they were scared of being judged by their husband and family. I marched for middle class, healthy stay at home mothers - I marched for the future of your children. I marched for women who have never experienced sexism, racism, bigotry, homophobic slurs and are therefore are so distant to understanding. I marched because I have the love and compassion of God in me and I know that the greatest commandment is to love. I marched because I grew up learning about the strong women of the Bible and that Esther would be marching right there with me. I marched for the single mother. I marched for the single father. I marched for the Suffragettes in history and their legacy. I marched against the sexism that I see everyday in the corporate world that I work in. I marched for women who have regrets in life, experience and love. I marched for women of every color, every religion and every sexual orientation.

To those who believe that I marched out of anger and hate. I want to tell you this. I did not march out of hate or anger against anyone, but I marched out of love and compassion for everyone.