Donald Trump’s acension to the highest position in the land has inspired a backlash from millions across the nation. One day after Trump officially became the 45th president of the United States of America, over one million women converged on Washignton, D.C., for the Women’s March on Washington.
The peaceful protest was in response to the election of Trump. Trump’s controversial views on race and sex were key during his campaign. His blatant disrespect for women was another factor that caused many to see Trump as being unfit to serve as president. But now that he’s officially the nation’s new leader, it was time for the people who disagreed with his antics to have their say.
The Women’s March on Washington featured guest speakers such as Janelle Monae, Alicia Keys, Angela Davis, Maxwell, Michaela Angela Davis, Zendaya, and Madonna to name a few.
Empowerment and progression were the two themes that remained prominent throughout the event, Janelle Monae issued one of the more powerful speeches during the rally by speaking on the impact of women in the world. “Martin Luther King, Jr. was birthed from a woman,” Monae said. “Malcolm X was birthed from a woman. And, to my knowledge, Jesus was birthed from a woman…Women will be hidden no more, we will not be hidden figures. We birth this nation and can unbirth a nation. We are here to fight against the abuse of power.”
Following her speech, Janelle Monae led a chant to pay homage to the victims of violence. The mothers of Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, and Eric Garner were all on stage and chanted their son’s name as the crowd screamed, “Say his name!” It was a chant that revealed the reality of Black mothers who have lost sons due to systemic racism that continues to go unpunished.
Michaela Angela Davis also shared her thoughts on the event during an interview with our publication. Davis hopes the march will inspire young women.
“Young people are so dope,” she said. “We have access to each other in ways that we never had before. There’s Instagram, Tumblr, and we are telling each other’s stories. Young women need to stand by each other and not tear each other down, They have everything they need. The only reason why I’m here is because young people got this. We see you, we love you. But we got this. Tear this mother—r down.”
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