“Why I will march . . . ” An opinion

January 19, 2017 5:05 p.m.

Editor’s Note: On Saturday, January 21, a group of local women have organized a local “sister march” inspired by the Women’s March on Washington. The march will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday. The route take the marchers west on Ash Street, north on 2nd Street, and then east on Centre Street ending at Central Park.

By Carolyn E. Phanstiel

Why I will march . . .

• To remind myself of the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
• To show solidarity with women and men who will march in the 370 Sister Marches throughout the world.
• To honor the American tradition of legal, non-violent protest.
• To be part of the collective voice that protests the dangerous and hate-filled policies which portend to be the agenda of many elected officials.
• To advocate for access for all women to quality health care.
• To remember the need for environmental justice to assure clean air and water for all citizens.
• To give a voice to all marginalized people and especially women with disabilities.
• To say a prayer of gratitude for lessons taught me by my mother about the necessity of common decency, the values of inclusiveness, and the love of the United States of America.
• To be able to tell my granddaughter Jennifer and other young women that over 1000 people in Fernandina Beach, Florida showed support for them in their efforts to break the glass ceilings of their lives.
• To mark the beginning of my commitment to call and email members of Congress more than I ever have done in my lifetime.

Carolyn E. Phanstiel, is a retired Professor of Communications; Florida State College at Jacksonville: South Campus. We thank Carolyn for her contribution to the Fernandina Observer.