8 Thoughts we all had during the Women’s March

The Women’s March was the best thing to happen for feminism in ages, but as photos flooded in, news teams documented the events and Piers Morgan continued trolling, what were we really thinking as the protests unfolded? Here are 8 thoughts we all had during the Women’s March. (Image courtesy of Katie my favourite slice of cake who can be found on Instagram @katiec2210)

Why can’t I stop crying? Oh I know, maybe because this is the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed: 600,000 people in Washington, 200,000 in LA, 200,000 in New York City, 100,000 in London plus thousands in Amsterdam, Paris, Melbourne, Mexico City etc. all letting Trump know that misogyny isn’t cool. No, the marches aren’t going to get him out of office (RIP Ending Climate Change), but they sent the president the memo that people power is at the heart of democracy. Cue non-waterproof mascara steaming down my face.

Why hasn’t someone gagged Piers Morgan yet? And no I don’t mean in a sexy, fifty shades of grey kind of way, I mean stuck a bed sock in his mouth and taped his fingers together to stop him from tweeting or speaking or even thinking. Obviously, I value freedom of speech and so I enjoy reading different perspectives but Morgs has a habit of just spewing out his view without any consideration for others. Like a kind of potato-faced volcano. I think gagging him is justified.

Why is that guy holding a ‘Bring Back Democracy’ sign? No one (except maybe Ted Cruz and Kanye West) like the result of the election but, ultimately, it was a democratic process. Everyone had the right to voice their opinion in the voting booth and now you have the right to protest against the outcome. I’m loving your enthusiasm random guy on Snapchat but maybe you need a different sign.

Where’s my pussyhat? And are they now available to buy on Depop?

When are people going to stop using Saudi Arabia to silence Western women? Women in Saudi Arabia are some of the most disadvantaged on the planet. No one marching at the weekend was denying that, in fact I don’t think any feminist has ever denied their suffering. It’s awful and if I could change all their oppressive laws tomorrow then I would. What I don’t appreciate is using their suffering to silence Western women for complaining about their treatment. Mentioning women in Saudi Arabia has become almost a way of men saying ‘look at how poorly we could treat you so be grateful the most powerful man in the world can win an election after a campaign of misogyny because at least you can drive without your husband’s permission.’ If you only care about less fortunate women when more fortunate women start protesting then you clearly don’t truly care about the less fortunate ones at all. If you did you’d be organising your own pussyhat protests against their misfortune.

Are my friends bored of me sending ‘OMG LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE’ texts yet? Let’s just say, it was a day with lots of ‘Read’ but little reply. However I was sending about 62 pictures an hour so I don’t blame them.

Where’s Beyoncé? Realistically, probably on a yacht in the south of France somewhere. But Queen B is usually in formation when it comes to feminism so her absence from attending or even mentioning the marches on social media is a little strange. Especially as every celebrity on the planet seemed to be at least there in spirit. I’m just going to tell myself that she was too distraught about Obama leaving the white house to join in, but tbh her no show status still makes my heart hurt a little.

What happens now? Protesting is how I imagine taking class A drugs feels. You do it once and suddenly need to do it again, but bigger and better in order to get the same feeling as last time. Sadly, I don’t think a march of that size will be happening again anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean the activism has to stop. There are some obvious things to do like donating money to or volunteering with charities dealing with feminist issues such as child brides, domestic abuse or male mental health, but it doesn’t end there. Sponsor a girl in Saudi Arabia. Sign a petition to end tampon tax. Buy from shops which don’t exploit female workers. Read only female authors for a year. Take the time to educate yourself on what black/trans/lesbian/disabled women experience every day and find ways to support them. Someone (who I can’t remember the name of, typical Jess) on Twitter recently said ‘be aware of all the times that you’re the Lena Dunham of the conversation’ and I think that’s a pretty nifty mantra to live by.