Letter to the editor: Here’s why I’m marching in Washington, D.C.

To the editor:

I’m marching. I am going to attend the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21.

Why? I hope it will draw attention to what women in 2017 have to say.

We have a tendency to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. Washington should not be threatened by our voices, but recognize our strength and listen.

I respect the ideals of politics and politicians in our great country but in return, as an American citizen, I expect nothing but the best.

Nowhere in the fabric of our country should we get caught up in this us-against-them way of thinking. Many of the extremely important issues of today seem to be two-sided, and sometimes the division factor seems to be more important than the actual issue at hand.

Our big, beautiful world was designed to be diverse in habitat and culture. Our time here is short. We must take the opportunity to learn from each other.

Out of respect for all children of today and tomorrow, we need to work harder to find common ground and look seriously at what war and bloodshed and hate are doing to us as people.

It costs nothing to reach out to those we don’t fully understand and let them know we recognize they are suffering.

As I march, I do not think I will be protesting as much as I will be promoting.

I will march for the 10-year-old girl in Perry who wrote a letter to our president because even at her young age she recognized discord in our country.

I will march for a sweet friend (whom I’ve known for years) who just recently shared with me how her family immigrated to America after leaving her home in Africa with no belongings in the middle of the night because her brother was privy to a planned uprising and feared for their lives.

I will march for a successful friend I met in Kazakhstan who left his home country of Vietnam during gunfire as he ran for a boat. Through his determination and hard work, he eventually made it to America with little money or understanding of the English language, yet he managed to put himself through college.

I will march for the sister of my childhood friend who was disabled and spent the majority of her days in a chair in their living room, and yet she taught me the importance of laughter and optimism. She was living proof that dreams do come true.

Our first granddaughter was born a few months ago. As I march, I will be thinking of her. I hope her world will be peaceful. I hope her world will be kinder. I hope earth is kind to her, and I hope her people are kind to the earth.

Some think the verdict is still out, but wouldn’t it make sense to err on the side of safety?

My thoughts on “playing the woman card”: There’s only one major chromosomal difference between women and men. Without that 23rd chromosomal difference, none of us would be here.

That makes us equal.

Carol Jackson-Cavanaugh
Perry