Today was a good day. A very good day. I spent several hours in the company of three exceptional women that I know, and many hundreds that I don’t. All gathered in one place to stand up for equality, humanity and the future of us all.
We are all human beings. And there are good, bad and indifferent women and men. But that is not the point. It wasn’t the point today, and it will not be the point tomorrow. It will never be the point until the first question is ‘What inequality?’
And so I stood on College Green, with the women I knew, and many more that I didn’t, to state clearly and loudly that the reverse gear that has recently been engaged by Trump and his ilk is not acceptable. In any way.
At least four generations, as diverse as is possible, came together for one reason. To confirm that there is another way. And as long as we continue to watch, and report, and deny, and provide an alternative view, then we can continue to move in that direction.
Over the years I have known some truly remarkable women, each in their own unique way. And i have known many women who, day after day, carry on in a seemingly unremarkable way.
And yet, they too are remarkable. Because in a world where they have never been operating on an even playing field, they still do all and more that is needed to keep themselves, and those men, afloat.
There are so many negatives expanding across the world at the moment. Mysogyny is rampant, there is separation and division being driven forward as a political imperative, and the shadows of battles long thought past are appearing again.
So, to stand with exceptional women, each a true individual, an exemplar, a signpost for the future, was a truly enhancing experience.
Babies who will say thanks to their mothers in years to come, children excited by the positivity, young women taking tentative but determined steps towards political activity, smart and astute women who see the reality, and those who have been through the many battles before, and are back to fight again.
I was honoured to be with them. To see their determination, their humanity, their humour, their solidarity, their acceptance of the diversity of a common purpose.
Yes there were men there. And yes of course they count. But they are not inherently unequal. So, as part of the other groups, races, sectors, religions that are being put into second, third. fourth place, they are part of the ongoing fight.
But women have one extra burden to overcome, one struggle that still needs the constant reminder of marches like today.
I was honoured to be there. And as long as it takes, I will always be there.
Just one small request. Can it be a little warmer next time?
cherokoffdotcom 