Married 8/12
MC 4/15
BFP 10/10/16
June 2017 Moms
lizerspitz
member
Options
Any women marching 1/21?
lizerspitz
member
I keep going back and forth if I want to go into DC next weekend or go to my first prenatal swim class. Is anyone else planning to do a local march or a trip to DC? I'm just outside of DC in Arlington, so it would be local for me to go to the big one.
The reasons I'm hesitant to go is because I often have crowd social anxiety, and I'm worried about the amount of time I will be on my feet. I don't know if I have the stamina or the snack skills to go out to an event like that.
The reasons I'm hesitant to go is because I often have crowd social anxiety, and I'm worried about the amount of time I will be on my feet. I don't know if I have the stamina or the snack skills to go out to an event like that.
Re: Any women marching 1/21?
By the way, for anyone who doesn't know what PP is talking about:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-march-on-washington-official-tickets-29428287801
They have local ones all over the country, just Google search "Womens march January 21st [your major metropolitan area]," and you should find local info on Eventbrite. I thought about going to a local one here in the San Francisco Bay Area, but DS's play date friend is having her 2nd birthday party at 11am (our march starts at 10am about 30 minutes away). These marches are going to be AMAZING!
Me: 31 DH: 34
Married 11/09/2013
LO#1: LMP 09/14/2014 BFP 10/15/2014 EDD 06/24/2015 DS Born 06/14/2015
LO#2: LMP 09/18/2016 BFP 10/19/2016 EDD 06/27/2017 DD Born 06/27/2017
LO#3: LMP 05/16/2018 BFP 06/18/2018 EDD 02/20/2019
Like PP said, a huge thank you to all the ladies who will be taking part in this all across the country.
If you have crowd anxiety you might want to consider driving even though traffic is going to suck. How is your stamina for walking right now?
I think it's a great cause and you should go if you are motivated, but also cut yourself some slack to skip if you aren't feeling up to it that day. If you do go, make sure you pack plenty of food and water; there will be food trucks apleanty but the lines will be long.
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
I've gotten used to 15 minute walks, but I've been feeling very wishy-washy on the weather. I've started to get very nervous about my internal temperature warming up too quickly and then having too much clothing. I had an overheating episode on the bus two weeks ago. I'm not shy to decide to sit on the ground for a while, but I'd rather not have to do that. What I'd really like is to bring a camp chair and sit on the side lines for a while, but I have a suspicion that crowd control wouldn't like that too much.
I learned that Arlington is also having a gathering at Courthouse, so that might be a more palatable option. I know I have choices!
MC 4/15
BFP 10/10/16
BFP: 9/30/16, EDD: 6/9/17
MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
DD: Born 8/22/14
Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
And my other love: writing
MC 4/15
BFP 10/10/16
I did find this site helpful and was very surprised to find a march in my hometown. Type in you zip code and it gives you marches near you.
https://www.womensmarch.com/
At one point, a woman just started shouting, "Thank you for being here! This is the America I came here for!" I was very emotional for me to just see the masses of people going in and supporting the walkers. I wish I could have stayed longer to chat and cheer, but my first prenatal swim class called me away!
MC 4/15
BFP 10/10/16
That said, the marchers in Boston better not interfere with my night out. My patience is very limited today thanks to my toddlers. I have bday dinner reservations in the city tonight with my best friends (one of whom also has a bday we're celebrating). It takes literally a month+ for me and my two best friends to coordinate a night that works for all AND get babysitting. This is one of the very few nights out I get in a year. If I can't get parking... if I can't have a peaceful meal without the masses ruining it... I'm going to spiral into a full on masshole rage! The restaurant I'm going to is right by the area everyone is gathering and when we just called they didn't even know what to tell us Re: expectations tonight. WTAF! I take three things very seriously in life. Boston sports, wine and food. I already can't enjoy one of the three. Lets not have that increase to two Boston.
I am certainly disappointed with his talk about women, feel he is excessively condescending and I don't feel that women who are strong and powerful, and threatening to him, should have their names torn down in public by calling them names or dismissing their opinions. The internet culture - not just Trump - of threatening women is a huge problem, and that is another reason I wanted to stand with others. It felt like a very safe place to be and to feel the mass of people who support respect and dignity for all.
I don't think Trump will stand for parental leave changes in this country, and I am afraid what healthcare will look like. I don't think I personally will ever have a problem with receiving care from a doctor of my choice, but when it comes to families who have limited options, I fear for them. I also personally don't think he has "done anything to me," but the threat is there that he will dismiss (and possibly mock) the needs of others if they are not part of his definition of majority.
MC 4/15
BFP 10/10/16
That said... The Boston event still better steer clear of this pregnant lady as she marches to her reservations. I just wanna eat!!!!!
edit: spelling
For most women that I know marching, it's all of that combined with the frustration that someone so openly misogynistic and creepy towards women is accepted by a large portion of the American public.
But I do have to ask why just Trump? I get he has said things about women, but women's inequality probem did not start with him. Why haven't we been marching against every administration that has done little to nothing to help these matters? Obama (and every president before him) had 8 years before this to change the pay gap, to change maternity leave, etc. and yet does nothing. These problems didn't start with this campaign and should be dealt with every administration and action should have been taking place way before this.
Now that I've gotten on my soapbox, I'll also say that the March today was amazing. It felt incredible to be united with so many people for the same cause. It definitely gave me hope to be there.
MC 4/15
BFP 10/10/16
Let's also be honest, Obama made many strides for women, minorities, LGBT, etc.
I think it's less about opposing/trying to rid of Trump and more about bringing awareness to the fact that every move he has made so far is threatening to the above people/issues.
I feel he did mare minimum and kept saying for 8years that the pay gap was wrong, yet put no legislation forward to end it. He did put one forward that extended a statues of limitation on fighting pay gap, which failed.
I guess it depends on how you look at ACA to say if that was an advancement for women. It gave coverage to some 8 million women but you are penalized if you don't sign up and the premium isn't always affordable. A whole new health care plan and nothing for maternity leave?
As for immigration, he kicked out 2 million or so illegal immigrants, yet Trump is a ahole for it.
@Mtnmommy
You shouldn't have to be afraid to express your views. I respect them and anyone who doesn't has a major tolerance problem.
Discussions is important so both sides can hear and maybe understand the other point of view.
I think Trump is extremely outspoken and considered offensive to many people but he has been in office for a day and planning to march, protest, rally, etc. before he even took office for issues he didn't start, although doesn't appear to be helping, I guess I don't get it... I have always been supportive of women's rights and human rights in general but like @Wino0920 I'm just not a fan of assembly, I don't see it as an effective measure and my experience in my city is that it always turns violent or with people arrested after they try/succeed at blocking the interstate. No change is made to their cause...
Not knocking anyone that did feel moved to participate, I'm just not one of those people... regardless of political affiliation.
Edit: autocorrect is the devil
As far as immigration, I can't say I know much about it, but a quick google check tells me you're correct; Obama has deported 2.5 million. My issue with Trump is not his deportation policy, as much as it is his blanket statements regarding Muslims and the hate that he incites. His claim that we're going to force Mexico to build this wall. That's just not going to happen. Is illegal immigration an issue? Sure, but come up with a legit solution.
I'm all in favor of the ACA, I have two children who have had seizure disorders, therefore precluding them from coverage, so the ACA was a life saver for my family. It's one of those things that seems like it's not beneficial and just expensive until it actually saves you.
As far as maternity leave, I'm with you. I promise you though, it's not a priority of Trump's either.
I might be naive but I do believe it's Ivanka's agenda and she will get stuff for women done. But only time will tell that.
My whole point was I believe a March is exactly that, a day you March for a cause, and tomorrow you go back to your normal life and nothing changes. I just don't get assemblies at all for any reason. I feel there are many more effective ways to accomplish these goals.
I also don't agree with not liking Trump cause he creates hate, then turn around call him orange and call him names, and say he made me do it? Lets be grown ups and take responsibility for our own actions. If you think calling names is wrong, it's wrong no matter who you do it to.
My child also was born with a condition that had to be corrected with surgery and will continue to threaten his life and threaten more surgeries. But making people sign up for coverage they can't afford isn't going to fix that problem. It actually has nothing to do with it.
I agree that we shouldn't be 'do as I say, not as I do' re: hate, name-calling, etc.
I just personally think the man is giving lip service to America, I'm hoping so in some regards.
I hope Ivanka can be the voice of reason here and with him.
The marches are what they are, if they are done without violence, then I'm not sure what the issue is. I'm hoping that these people aren't just marching and that's where their activism stops, I'm hoping they volunteer, donate, march, inspire, etc.
Kidding. Only a little. These marches will be in vain without follow through and continued activism.
In response to those asking why Trump or why before his presidency I will limit the laundry list I have to just a few!
Since November I've had strong concerns about the ethical ambiguity of Trump's transition. His lack of complying with precedent to divest from his businesses and/or put them in a blind trust for the duration of his presidency, his appointment of family members to senior political positions. This implies to me a lack of prioritizing his role as president over his personal gains. His intention to split time between DC and NYC costing an additional $1million taxpayer dollars A DAY is hardly a prudent economic decision.
Also, given that this is a forum for expectant parents/parents with children I'll address some specific parental concerns as well...
His pick for education, Betsy DeVos, is alarming to me. As a parent her basic lack of understanding about a vast educational system is unacceptable. She couldn't answer questions during her hearing about growth v. proficiency. This is a basic assessment debate in education. She has not committed to continue funding of Title IX on college campuses. I do work in conjunction with Title IX at a university, this would have unfortunate consequences for students across the country.
As an expectant mom the repeal of ACA is scary too. It's not just about healthcare plans. The ACA helped mandate across the country space and time for working mothers to pump. This could be taken away. I received a breast pump covered through health insurance with DD courtesy of the ACA. Pregnancy? A pre-existing condition that could be denied coverage by insurance companies prior to the ACA.
This is is to say nothing of his seriously problematic rhetoric on everything from foreign governments, women, people of color, the LGBT issues, Islam.
/end rant/
I think the march was a good move. Why? Because 2016 has confirmed that you just can't reason with those that have opposite views. I don't know how many times I've shaken my head at the "what about black on black crime crowd" because they just don't get it. I reference this crowd because 9 times out of 10 they are the ones in my life supporting Trump. And, as a minority woman, I will use my "I can talk about my mama but you can't" card and say that for me, it's especially saddening when it's a minority person subscribing to some of the beliefs that counter mine on these issues of human rights. So, the march was a good way to say "you may not agree, but we are here in numbers, and you will have no choice but to listen to us and work with us."
otherwise, I agree with most of what you said. I voted for Trump but also was glad he said gay marriage wouldn't be affected and in no way shape or form dislike or think less of people not like me. I do know the "black on black crime" people do exist and I'm not blind to it.
There are so many things that the two groups can do together. I can't remember who said it, very very few people are actually pro-abortion and there are many things that these women and men can do to make abortion less of an option that people feel like they need to choose when that choice is an option: affordable non-judgmental health care, affordable day care, competitive parental leave, less side eye for single mothers (AKA more support for single mothers), affordable school lunch programs, early education for at risk children, healthy sick and vacation policies for parents so they can manage emergencies and recharge, public education options that are competitive with private... All these things would and have helped abortion rates go down.
Being a Democrat, I believe legislation is the way to do that. I do not have faith in the goodness of corporations and institutions to "do the right thing" out of the goodness of their hearts, because the bottom line is, these things are expensive, and the only way to make them work for everyone is to have everyone participate in making them happen. AKA Taxes.
There are some policies that are bipartisan enough that Republicans also support. Many disability policies get pushed through (with a lot of fight from the disability community). What it often comes down to is how expensive is it going to be? Policies that are more expensive and protect things that people see as working "good enough" are going to be on the chopping block in the next 4 years. I feel the need to fight to keep what could be working better in the law.
MC 4/15
BFP 10/10/16