A Monumental Movement for Gender Equality
The Student Action Committee attends fourth annual Women’s March in downtown San Jose
By Selena Ganguly
The Student Action Committee attends fourth annual Women’s March in downtown San Jose
By Selena Ganguly
People of various backgrounds strode down with pride and gripped tightly onto their posters. Repressed anger and fear of injustice spewed out through blaring microphones. Four years strong, this march is just the beginning of the efforts to close the doors on gender inequality.
On Jan. 18, people all over the United States joined together at the Women’s March in support of gender equality. The protest advocates for numerous minority groups, both social and economic. Representing Pioneer, the Student Action Committee arrived in downtown San Jose to attend the local branch of the protest.
Club member Emerson Hill, 9, felt the march to be both empowering and comforting.
“There was a chant that said, ‘Rise up! Rise up! We are women!’ I think it was beautiful,” Hill said. “Not only is it that you’re in this huge group of people and you feel immensely powerful, but there is music, there are signs and there are chants. So it’s layers upon layers creating this wave of overwhelming safety and confidence in you.”
While the true definition of the word “feminism” has been hotly debated, Hill believes that true feminism is gender equality, rather than female superiority.
“A common misconception I’ve heard of, is that women are better than men. That’s not necessarily what feminism is,” Hill said. “You believe what you want to believe, that’s something that shouldn’t be changed by anyone else’s opinion. You should stand up for what you believe in and you will have support. It’s equality — no one rules anyone else.”
The women’s suffrage movement began 150 years ago. 50 years after the movement began, the 19th amendment was finally ratified, ending what many believed to be the final step in expanding women’s rights. Yet, in 2020, Americans are still protesting for several rights relating to gender equality, using the Women’s March as a platform for their message. SAC member Travis Hill, 12, hopes to see a change of pace.
“I hope 50 years from now, we would be able to see that our differences make us stronger. There is no question of equality, but rather the question of kindness or character. It’s about not judging people based on the category they’re put into, but rather who they are as a person,” said the older Hill.
Michaela Harrel, 12, feels that all branches of freedom must be acknowledged in order to achieve true gender equality.
“You can’t talk about gender equality if you’re not considering the individual rights of women of color, working class women or women who are at risk of being environmental refugees. If you try to say that you are for gender equality and you are not supporting those individual parts, then people of all genders won’t actually end up being all equal,” said Harrel.
For those unsure about going to the next march, Harrel illustrates why the Women’s March is important to attend.
“Gender equality is a basic human right. Just having more people to show up at the march (helps). If any part of you, even a little bit, like even your pinky finger, is for gender equality, I say that you show up to the march and talk to people that have a little bit more than a pinky finger,” said Harrel. “You can learn more about it and see if you want to support it. If you do want to support it, then welcome to the club! We are always looking for new members.”
On Jan. 18, people all over the United States joined together at the Women’s March in support of gender equality. The protest advocates for numerous minority groups, both social and economic. Representing Pioneer, the Student Action Committee arrived in downtown San Jose to attend the local branch of the protest.
Club member Emerson Hill, 9, felt the march to be both empowering and comforting.
“There was a chant that said, ‘Rise up! Rise up! We are women!’ I think it was beautiful,” Hill said. “Not only is it that you’re in this huge group of people and you feel immensely powerful, but there is music, there are signs and there are chants. So it’s layers upon layers creating this wave of overwhelming safety and confidence in you.”
While the true definition of the word “feminism” has been hotly debated, Hill believes that true feminism is gender equality, rather than female superiority.
“A common misconception I’ve heard of, is that women are better than men. That’s not necessarily what feminism is,” Hill said. “You believe what you want to believe, that’s something that shouldn’t be changed by anyone else’s opinion. You should stand up for what you believe in and you will have support. It’s equality — no one rules anyone else.”
The women’s suffrage movement began 150 years ago. 50 years after the movement began, the 19th amendment was finally ratified, ending what many believed to be the final step in expanding women’s rights. Yet, in 2020, Americans are still protesting for several rights relating to gender equality, using the Women’s March as a platform for their message. SAC member Travis Hill, 12, hopes to see a change of pace.
“I hope 50 years from now, we would be able to see that our differences make us stronger. There is no question of equality, but rather the question of kindness or character. It’s about not judging people based on the category they’re put into, but rather who they are as a person,” said the older Hill.
Michaela Harrel, 12, feels that all branches of freedom must be acknowledged in order to achieve true gender equality.
“You can’t talk about gender equality if you’re not considering the individual rights of women of color, working class women or women who are at risk of being environmental refugees. If you try to say that you are for gender equality and you are not supporting those individual parts, then people of all genders won’t actually end up being all equal,” said Harrel.
For those unsure about going to the next march, Harrel illustrates why the Women’s March is important to attend.
“Gender equality is a basic human right. Just having more people to show up at the march (helps). If any part of you, even a little bit, like even your pinky finger, is for gender equality, I say that you show up to the march and talk to people that have a little bit more than a pinky finger,” said Harrel. “You can learn more about it and see if you want to support it. If you do want to support it, then welcome to the club! We are always looking for new members.”