I’m going to the march in Canberra next Monday. I don’t do marches very often, but I’m going to this one.
I’m going because I’m angry and I’m going because I’m sad and I’m going because I’m tired. Because this shouldn’t still be happening. But it is. And I can’t bear the idea that this is just politics as usual, and that the government will get to move on as if nothing ever happened. It’s important to me that they see that we are here, and that this means something, and that we will not forget. It’s important to me that my niece doesn’t grow up in a world where a woman’s life is less important than a man’s career.
One thing that happens when you share your story of sexual assault is that other people come forward to share theirs. And there are so many people with these stories. These past few weeks, my DMs, my twitter feed, my blog comments, my email, my ears have been a clamour of women’s (and a few men’s) stories of pain and abuse. So I’m also going to Canberra because I feel like I’m carrying a lot of new stories now, in addition to the ones I was carrying already, and I’m hoping that if I take them with me they will start to mean something.
But speaking of carrying stories…
There are marches all over Australia, but I know that for many people, taking time off work or from caring duties to go to a protest just isn’t possible or practical. And I know that for others, attending a march isn’t feasible because of health or other issues. Marches simply aren’t accessible for everyone. (Which… is a problem, I think, but not one for this post.)
So if you really wanted to go to a march next Monday, but you can’t make it, drop me a comment. I’m not sure what the front of my placard is going to say yet (nobody who follows this blog will be surprised to learn that my mind runs more to essays than to pithy slogans), but the back is going to be the names * of the friends who can’t make it in person this time around, but who are with us in spirit.
I reckon those names will be a lot lighter to carry than the stories have been.
* Full names, first names or nicknames are all fine. And if you want me to screen your comment so others can’t see it, just let me know in your reply, and I’ll make it so.
Any chance you could have my name (Kirsten) and my daughter’s (Laura) on your placard? I can’t get to a march, though I’m so bloody done with this crappiness too. And I’m constantly teaching my daughter to be careful, to watch what she says and wears, and I’ve noticed that I’m not having to do that to my son and it’s so TIRING.
(I am, however, teaching my son to respect women, so that there’s at least one good man in the future.)
I would be honoured to march with you and with Laura!
And yes, it really is tiring.
Any chance you could have my name (Kirsten) and my daughter’s (Laura) on your placard? I can’t get to a march, though I’m so bloody done with this crappiness too. And I’m constantly teaching my daughter to be careful, to watch what she says and wears, and I’ve noticed that I’m not having to do that to my son and it’s so TIRING.
(I am, however, teaching my son to respect women, so that there’s at least one good man in the future.)
To the commenter at 7:19pm – thank you for your comment. I’ve added you to my sign. I’m honoured to carry you with me.