On Saturday I marched in Washington, D.C.

I marched because I was raised by a bad*ss mom and a feminist papa.

I marched because, during the march, a brown woman I was with was told by a counter protester that this great country was founded by beautiful people with blue eyes and blond hair. He told her how important it is to return to this (illusiory) America.

I marched because every woman I know has had an unwanted sexual experience.

I marched because anti-choice is anti-woman.

I marched because the Stanford rapist got off with a slap on the wrist and a concern over his future while the woman was left to her own devices to repair what he broke.

I marched because every day his story is repeated.

I marched because every day her story is repeated.

I marched because being homosexual isn’t a choice but bigotry is.

I marched because that is what democracy looks like.

I marched because my papa and my uncle, these fathers of strong daughters, these husbands of strong women, these sons of strong women, these men who have shown me that strong men aren’t afraid of strong women, marched.

I marched because I could not think of a better way to spend my day.

I marched because the hate and the fear in our country breaks my heart again and again.

I marched because the love, endurance, kindness, acceptance and strength demonstrated yesterday in Washington and around the world repaired some of those breaks.

I marched because women’s rights are human rights.

I marched because I want to spend more time building up my strong, amazing sisterhood and less time breaking myself or anyone else down.

I marched because black lives matter.

I marched because all life matters.

I marched because optimism is my default, the other option is too dark and exhausting.

I marched because equality creates liberty for all.

I marched because nasty women make history.

Author: Faith Levine

Image: Author’s Own

Editor: Sara Kärpänen