I have returned home! And late as always I am getting my photos up. I am ever so thankful to everyone who got me to DC. Thank you Faye for getting me on a flight. Thank you Julia for giving me a place to sleep so close to the action. Thank you patient colleagues who helped out in my absence. And thank you to the millions of women who made this event what it was.
I have a confession: I was not always the crazy liberal activist you are following today. Most of my early 20's I didn't care about political issues. Nothing affected me enough for me to care. I do remember my first terrified visit to the Planned Parenthood. I remember a being feeling like I was doing something wrong and being afraid I would be caught. But I went and walked out with birth control. It was there for me, I assumed it was there for everyone. And when I learned it might not be there for everyone I thought the solution was simple: don't get pregnant then, don't have sex. Simple! I was wrong. I am doing my best to make up for it.
In college my roommates were the rainbow love children of the world. I mean they were liberal as all hell. They ticked every stereotypical liberal box. Vegan hippies to the max. And they were (and still are) amazing people. I fought with them about politics. I was stubborn - and dear lord so were they. I still remember playing darts at a bar called The Up-and-Up and watching my roommate walk by in a Take Back the Night protest, advocating for women afraid to be outside alone after dark. I admired her. And soon I would be joining in protests for the first black president nominated by a major party. I even started jumping into protests I ran into by chance - most memorable being in Thailand and Coasta Rica. The addiction became so bad I once accidentally found myself in an anti-abortion protest. I realized my mistake when I saw the counter protesters and ran over to join them. I became fascinated with the idea that so many strangers could come together for a common cause and send a message to the government. A right the Founding Fathers of my country felt was so important they made it the very first amendment.
What is so amazing about the protest is that it made it impossible for everyone not to know it happened. If it forced one person to question if their government was taking away rights - if one person is now voting differently to stop it - that is one new voter. If my stubborn ass can flip to the different party because of one protest of MAYBE 100 women in a small college town imagine what impact this had on the world.
The election is over. Trump is our president. Republicans control every branch. But that doesn't mean we have to accept it and do nothing. Call and meet with your Representative. Bring your friends and get photos. Post them on social media. One of the reasons we are in this mess is because a lot of people who should have voted (like me when I was younger) didn't. Because I didn't realize how much our government could affect us. Show your friends and family these are real people in real positions and they work for us.
My selfie with my Representative, Rick Larsen! It was a long day and I was appreciative of our meeting. But I look like crap.
There is still a lot of work to be done. But I must return to the mountains. I goal was to take photos of places that are difficult to get to. It is my true passion and why I take pictures. So I am going to be returning to that. And photos of my dog. Cause I have a very cute dog.
All of you deserve to be happy. Go do things that make you happy. Go for a run. Run a marathon. Knit a sweater. Take selfies with your cat. Ride your bicycle. Hike to the waterfall. Post everything on social media that brings joy to your life. Don't give anyone the satisfaction of knowing you aren't still living your life to its fullest because of all the terrible things that are happening. Show people you are fun and you are loving.
Create art. Any art. I received a text message from a friend this morning that said the world is a mess. It is a mess! Use that mess to inspire you. Expose it. When everything is getting uglier make the world a more beautiful place. Remember art is a powerful political weapon. And you are all warirros.
And never stop posting your political thoughts and articles on social media. People who voted in the Republican party have never had to fight for anything important. You are the ones who know your fight is important and that makes you stronger. Call people out when they are hateful. Don't let them justify it. Don't let them walk away without making it clear what they did was hateful and none of their excuses for it will fly. Don't let anyone tell you they don't like seeing what you post. Don't let anyone dictate what you share. If you like to share a lot of politics because you are concerned about what is going on - SHARE IT. Let's drown the hate with our love. Back hate into a corner until it has no where to run and must be exposed. Expose them and show the world the rights of everyone are important. And don't let anyone try to confuse someone gaining more rights with them losing there's. There are people who are afraid to lose power and they will twist your words. Stick to your message of love and expose their hate.
There are more people like me out there. They are counting on you. Share with them.
The biggest accomplishments in our history were a result of protesting. Civil Rights. Ending of Suffrage. Ending of the Vietnam War. Ending of prohibition (if that doesn't get you out there). What happened Saturday was extraordinary. It will go down in history as an amazing turning point. There will be more protests, and I will see you there. Until then - does anyone want to carpool to our Representative's offices?!
This is just a warm up. See you out there!
NeeNeer! NeeNeer! I didn't proof read! I'll get to the typos tomorrow.