I'm still kind of riding the high from the Womens March on Saturday, and honestly, I could write an entire novel on it - from watching Joan Baez perform with my mother and godmother, to marching with breasties (get it?), to really taking in how incredible and supportive the men in our lives are (they were out in full force too), to witnessing a moment in history, shared by over 2.9 million people who attended rallies and marches all over the world.

I could talk about how caring and considerate everyone at the marches were to each other, or the inspiring speeches that quite often brought tears to my eyes, or outpour of solidarity from people online whom I've never met before but have come to call my friends.

Stephanie and I discussed our signs a lot prior to the march. We wanted ones that would stand out, but also made a point. And so, we chose two F words that to say the least, have some heavy weight behind them.

While I'm not someone who swears a ton (unless I hit that weird nerve in the elbow... then watch out), I believe in using a word when it's appropriate. And given the divisiveness and marginalization of so many groups that has been brought to the surface within the last year (and I say brought to the surface because they have always been there, but this year pulled back wool in a serious way), I felt there were no other words to use than the ones I did. And apparently, Madonna felt the same. Not to mention, that the best life advice article I've ever read uses it 127 times...

As for Stephanie's sign, we added another F word that has some controversy around it - Feminist. Some people see feminist as almost a dirty word - assuming that it means negativity and hatred towards men. And while it might sometimes be used that way, the grand majority of times, it's used to express a belief in equal rights for women and men. It's a belief in equality in general. Which is why so many men, even if they don't know it, are actually feminists.

And it's not just about feminism, but intersectional feminism - meaning, not just equal rights for middle to upper class, able-bodied, straight white women, but equal rights for women of all races, ethnicities, classes, education levels, abilities, religions, gender identities, sizes, ages, sexualities, and the list goes on. And the more we un-demonize the F word, the more people may start to understand that it's an inclusive word and concept. So yes. I'm a feminist, and I'm fucking proud of it! ;)

P.S. For anyone who didn't understand what the march was really about, the other side of my sign sums up (in my opinion) why there were so many who cared enough to put their own lives aside for a moment and take action. I love my country with all my heart. And that is exactly why I marched.

xx,

Tienlyn

THE F WORD