Hours after the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 45th president of the United States of America, most citizens breathed a collective sigh of relief that once again our country had witnessed a peaceful transition of power. There were a few nearby protests that turned violent, in which the police used pepper spray on the crowds, but nothing that disrupted the flow of the somber and dignified ceremony. What has been mind-blowing in the aftermath is the worldwide protest marches going on just one day after the inauguration that has all but stolen the limelight.
It has caused some to wonder: has President Donald Trump inadvertently given a boost to a group that he has been repeatedly caught disrespecting? That group is women.
Trump responsible for building up a well of frustration that has exploded
Throughout the election campaign Trump was known for jumping on Twitter and making snide remarks about everyone from Rosie O’Donnell and Ariana Huffington, to Carly Fiorina. Although each of his many ungentlemanly comments enraged women’s rights activists, they were soon swept under the rug by spin masters like his female campaign manager Kellyanne Conway. Out of thin air, she grabbed popcorn excuses to bandage the small cuts he kept making into the fabric of women everywhere.
Well, like any festering wound, infection slowly set in and now all those tiny stitches have burst at the seams, ironically, the day after Trump took his oath to faithfully uphold the values of the American constitution. With no intention of doing so, Trump has played a big role in unleashing one of the most all-encompassing women’s movements in not just America, but the entire world.
Women’s marches cross-cultural
It would seem almost logistically impossible to organize a global movement. There are time differences, language barriers, and cultural differences about how strong a voice women have in some of the more patriarchal countries. But in an amazing feat that started with local grassroots organizations planning travel, housing, and funding arrangements, social media streams have been broadcasting all day the huge outpouring of support the movement has garnered.
In countries from Antarctica to Vietnam (view full list here), women are flooding the streets to gain encouragement in a united sisterhood to ensure that their rights are not trampled by the new administration. And while Trump had problems getting celebrities to perform at his inauguration, many important figures spoke at the various marches today.
So, while many have been fearful of all the hidden bigotry Trump brought out from the red baseball-cappers, there appears to be a bright light on the other side of his actions. He has opened a Pandora’s box loaded with women around the world demanding their civil rights be upheld. And everyone knows the outcome of that fable. Once Pandora’s box has been opened, it’s impossible to close it again.
