Shoulder to shoulder
with people determined
to be heard,
holding up signs
in weary arms,
speaking in twitter-like tweets
to a man who cannot
turn his back
and ignore millions
around the country
and around the world.
No one can expect
to be heard
if he will not listen.
I hear all of you,
America the Beautiful.
Your voices matter:
We Will Not Be Silent.
Love Trumps Hate.
Insist on the Impossible.
Make America Think Again.
We are ALL Immigrants.
Black Lives Matter.
Don’t Make America Hate Again.
No One is Free If Anyone is Oppressed.
A Woman’s Place is… Wherever She Wants.
Show Up. Dive In. Persevere.
Women’s Rights Are Human Rights.
We’re Lawyers. We’re Ready.
Real Men of Quality Don’t Fear Equality.
Women’s Rights aren’t up for GRABS.
Disability Rights are Civil Rights.
Respect for Existence or Expect Resistance.
Indivisible Under God.
With Liberty and Justice for All.
Healthcare for All.
Words NOT Weapons.
Make Love Not Walls.
Resist Hate.
Roar.
Nasty Women.
Roar.
Never Surrender.
Copyright 2017 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: Where were you Saturday, January 21? Not everyone could march, but people gave rides, wrote in support, served food, made space at the table, honked, gave high fives, thumbs up and woo-hoo’ed out windows. Yay for women’s marches everywhere, here and around the world! I would rather roar than despair.
How can these folks claim to love when they automatically hate trump? What is resonable about caiming issues that trump hasn’t even mentioned seriously. Are they so bound by “Hillary-Love” that they cannot see the evoidence right in front of them? NOBODY TAKES CAMPAIGN RHETORUIC SERIOUSLY–Clinton didn’t…Obama didn’t–and you folks loved him–so why have a double standard with Trump! Honestly–settle down and face reality—he is working to bring back jobs. That’s his first prioruty. Stop listening to your propaganda and to your uncaring, manipulating political handlers! (enough for me–it’s hard to convince a screaming mob of anything by reason and facts when EMOTION STIRRED UP BY HATEFUL PEOPLE HAVE CONTROL OF THAT MOB!( 🙂 sORRY BEVERLY–I CAN BE DISOWNED!
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Are you saying I’m hateful? The women’s march was peaceful. Not a screaming mob. I don’t know about other people, but I don’t hate Trump. I fear him. Women who marched object to what Trump said on the bus. He wasn’t campaigning then. He wasn’t in a locker room. He made sexual assault sound like a fun, rich-male privilege. You’re not female and can have no idea how enraging that idea is to a woman. I had to discuss what he said with my young kids. Then he was elected, despite having said something that indicates he should be in jail.
I don’t love Hillary. I think she deserved more respect than she got. I don’t think she’s a criminal. Unlike Trump, she has never admitted to committing a crime like sexual assault.
I do think our president should be a person we can respect who will act for the good of the country, not the good of big business. We have limited resources in this country, and he will be further limiting those as he gives tax breaks to corporations.
Are you seriously saying that the NY Times is propaganda and that they don’t check facts? The Boston Globe? If so, where do you get your news? Fox? I’ve watched Fox with my dad. They “interview” people who give opinions, then they report those opinions as if they are news. Opinions aren’t facts and probably shouldn’t be news either.
Okay, I’m doing some deep breathing and picturing a successful country, that doesn’t become totalitarian and doesn’t slide back, erasing 50 years of progress. I’m picturing that Trump and Tillerson’s lack of diplomatic experience doesn’t result in WWIII, despite recent actions taken by both that defy belief. Okay, I’m calm.
I hope you’re right, Jonathan, and that he doesn’t let you down.
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Many women and men were…screaming, smashing things,setting fire to lady journalist’s shoes! Are you hateful—I believe NOT! If Trump lets us down…he lets all of us down. The news media in general is all biased. 10-25 years ago, a survey said 85 % or more liberal. Judging from the way “news”is slanted around here–basically championing everything Progressive as perfect, nearly, doesn’t that giver you pause and fear? Of course FOX news plays the same games. If i could stop making typos…! 🙂
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I wonder if journalists are liberal because they caught some contagious disease or because they get out there and talk to people who’ve lost their houses in a fire, or who’ve lost their spouse in a war or survived rape. They talk to the relatives of people murdered, to people laid off, to survivors of tragedies and accidents. I would think that talking to people in great distress would change you, make you more inclined to think we need social welfare. As for what I read, I read for facts and disregard opinion, speculation and other filler. I don’t have time to care about so-and-so who thinks that Trump is doing everything right (for instance, someone with the initials KAC) because I want to see evidence. But then, in addition to being a lover of fairy tales, I’m a lawyer. I’m trained to evaluate the evidence. So far, the evidence is that Trump is pro-big business and anti-environmental issues. He will be making decisions that benefit him and his family (pro-business and pro-pipeline) and will ignore anyone who doesn’t agree with him. Or he will attack anyone who doesn’t agree with him. He’s dangerous. He has all the markers of someone who could become totalitarian and fascist. I’m not quoting anyone when I say that except myself — from what I’ve read of history. I’ve seen Hitler’s speeches. He was angry, too.
The first thing dictators attack is the press and their opponents. Once they are hobbled or muffled, next, actions are taken in secret. The full effect doesn’t become clear for awhile, but helping the little guy is never the result.
My hubby is so outraged that Trump is president, he can’t even discuss it. I’m going to call it off there. I’m tired. Have to get up early with the kids.
Have a good night.
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Good nigh! I can leave it here. I’ll still give you a blogger’s hug and kiss—if you give your permission first!
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Virtual XO. Take care.
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DITTO! And may none of your fairy stories be scary ones—unless you like them that way!
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LOL May you have no nightmares.
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I’ve referred another blogger to you, if she’s interested. A “Rosie Rockets” at http://aredlipandanudeshoe.wordpress.com/ Asone of my friends. don’t know if she’ll respond or not–she’s from out in Australia. Fashion Blogger. Go to sleep soon, please!
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Powerful stuff, Brenda. I am roaring all the way with you.
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Yay! It’s good to know that women all over the world support us. It’s easy for women to feel isolated, alone and powerless. But we aren’t, are we?
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No way are we alone.
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Reblogged this on Journal Edge and commented:
Article Source: friendlyfairytales.com
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Brilliant! 🌹🌹🌹
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Thank you, Dorna.
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Beautiful. I was home supporting friends at the March and writing till 1am. The words won over sleep. A just cause.
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Good for you. #WritersResist. I think I just ranted on your blog. Sorry about that. My dander is up since November.
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Rant away! I’m right there with you. It’s hard not to be.
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My daughter and I marched in Binghamton, New York, where we had about 3,000 people, more than three times the number expected. Thank you for your poem and your activism!
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Thanks for your activism. We had over 150,000 in Boston, but then it’s a hotbed of activism since the Boston Tea Party (at least according to the ever proud Boston Globe). Everyone I met were full of smiles and joy that so many are moved to act with us.
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Yay, Boston! I grew up in western Massachusetts, so have a soft spot for my childhood state capital. Thank you, Brenda, and all the others who marched in body and/or spirit!
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My pleasure. It was a good day.
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Hang in there!! Good luck to you all awesome American women! (and also to other women everywhere!) This is a really beautiful poem!
P.S. I hope your daughter still likes My Little Pony because I got the motivation to draw again! Anyone can download this, but I originally made this for her! ❤
MLP EG Stickers: http://wr0.deviantart.com/art/MLP-EG-Decals-658283469
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Thank you! You drew those defiant girls? They are awesome!
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Yup! And it was your daughter who got me out of a drawing slump!
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Wow. That rocks. As I tell my kids, we all need each other. I hope your drawing continues to be fierce. 🙂
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Thank you miss Harsham! That’s what my mom tells us too, which is so true! I’ll be making more MLP stickers by the way.
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Fabulous idea!
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Excellent dear Bren… your commitment is so appreciated!.
By the way: there were also a march here in BA, against Trump… Women´s Marchs worldwide: Cause as they said “Puss7 grabs back!” 😉
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Yay to women around the world. We can do anything once we decide to.
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Reblogged this on Art and Life and commented:
I rarely reblog but am feeling a connection with women across the globe at present. This poem by Brenda Harsham of Friendly Fairytales says it like it is. https://friendlyfairytales.com/2017/01/21/america-the-beautiful/#more-14414
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We’re all sisters, my friend. Thank you and hugs.
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Women’s Rights aren’t up for GRABS.
Disability Rights are Civil Rights.
Respect for Existence or Expect Resistance.
This are Excellent and Profound Words. . Some years back we had our own simlar version of Trump, on a State level. He only lasted 3 years but another 3 years on, we are still feeling the after effects of his “reign.” One hopes that common sense will prevail. Keep the faith!
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Yes, let’s hope he doesn’t damage what so much effort brought us.
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It certainly would be a regression of many hard fought and won rights. That would be devastating for many. Sometimes a lack of certain freedoms change forever the psyche of a nation. We must not give up.
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I feel for all the people with preexisting conditions that may lose their healthcare and not be able to get more coverage. Ever.
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That I think is the saddest thing. These people had hope of affording treatment and it has been snatched from their grasp.
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That’s what the insurers and companies want — to go back to denying people coverage as soon as they are diagnosed with an expensive illness. I wonder what’s in store for medicaid.
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Then why pay for a premium if they have a disclaimer? Do all American insurers do this?
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They can’t under the Affordable Care Act. They used to. People who get cancer are too sick to work, leave their job, lose their health plan and can’t get another. Insurers used to give you healthcare and take your money, but they would deny coverage to any health problems that began before the date coverage started. So if you had a preexisting condition, you could never change insurers or leave a job or you were out of luck. I know people who were bankrupted by health care costs for this reason. Most people cannot afford catastrophic illness bills without health insurance. Especially sick people who are out of work. This affects everyone in this country, but some may not remember or understand this issue. I know people who are terrified, who do.
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It must be a terrible worry for people who are aging! They are too old to work or to find employment, and if health insurance is tied to one’s job, then they miss out. We have independent insurance here, not tied to a job. The government gives you a rebate on some part of private health insurance costs, however, it gets more and more expensive every year. Not everyone can afford it and then they must wait in the queue to see the free public hospitals and Doctors. I am so sorry that American citizens have this concern, particularly as the population is aging overall.
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A lot of people made financial plans around things being the way they are now, but the Republicans seem inclined to yank the rug out from under people.
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Again. Such a shame.
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Great ! Wonderful!
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Thanks, Juan!
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My head is spinning from the news of the last few days. And this guy has been president for only 2 days. We don’t have to like him but we can’t tear each other apart because of him either. We are all we have. Our friendship, our support. Things must cool down. Must.
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Hi Claudia, He must listen to our voices. Then things will calm down. If we don’t have a place at the table and he seeks to take our rights away, things will only heat up. I hope you’re right that we can keep the peace.
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Very powerful,Brenda, very well done!
It’s absolutely amazing and truly wonderful to watch this progress, look at all the flags on the map! Keep walking! 👣don’t tolerate hate 👣
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Yes, thanks for raising your voice, too. We appreciate your support.
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Very well done!
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Thanks, Dan!
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Amen!
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I am deeply moved by the world-wide marches. I know I’m not the only one. Thanks for your support! Woo-hoo!
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Excellent and powerful
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Thanks, Derrick!
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Matched in Ann Arbor yesterday
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Woo-hoo to us!! I hope you won’t be upset if I point out that I love your typo. We’ll set the world aflame with our peaceful protesting. Not a single arrest in DC despite record-breaking crowds. And all Donald can do is call the media dishonest. That is starting to sound like whining. Or as the Brits would say, whinging. So sad. The first thing he did in office was to take the heart of healthcare for all. I sat on the train home next to a woman who is dying of cancer and is about to lose her healthcare. But Donald doesn’t know or care. We have to make him hear us.
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not at all. and i guess that i did ‘match’ some in ann arbor. )
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I have to admit, this is one of the most beautiful, powerful blog…wow
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Thank you. Truly.
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This may be my favorite of your blogs! ROAR Nasty woman!
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LOL Oh my, be still my heart. I’m glad you’ve raised your voice, too!
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Yes. Of course. ROAR! It has begun~
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We may be domestic cats, but we have the souls of lionesses. 🙂
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Yes, Cindy, this is the kind of ROAR we want to hear!!
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Yay!
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This is brilliant Brenda. Can I please reblog it? I love the line ‘make America think again’ though think it could be applied globally.
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Please do. Glad you are still here, my friend. I was very moved to hear that Sydney and Melbourne marched, too, and that someone said that racism and sexism aren’t just American problems! Yay for that!! XOXO
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I will reblog now. Yes racism and sexism are problems everywhere. Climate change affects us all too. It’s time we all began to think clearly about these issues and to communicate with each other.
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Yes, we are all on this planet together. And we can’t leave everything to the businessmen, or we won’t have a planet left. Or any parks. They will indenture us all with student loans, mortgages, insurance and car loans. We will work just to pay our debts, rather like the indentured servants of old. Or the modern trafficked women.
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Absolutely. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider and the degradation of the planet is getting worse. Maybe through joining together we can turn this around yet.
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Amen!
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I was at the Denver March. We must March on!
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We can’t let them take our rights away! Woo-hoo for you!
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I was at the Portland March! https://theecofeminist.com/2017/01/21/millions-strong-marching-for-women/
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Woo-hoo!
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Juchu!!
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This is beautiful Brenda. I tried to get to Miami today. I wanted to participate in the protest against what is happening but I was unable to! I truly believe he does not hear the outcry around the world because he has surrounded himself with the closed minded and power hungry . We must not be silent. Thank you for this lovely statement .
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That is what worries me. He thinks he knows and nothing anyone else says matters, except a select few. Even if he won’t listen, legislators must. His staff will know. Or we will keep marching until they listen.
We have to keep the press free and the constitution intact. He is already undermining both.
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I have a feeling he is planning to derail the free press. He has an agenda and I am very fearful of what that is.
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He would have to alter the First Amendment. The FIRST amendment. The one our democracy hinges on. NFW. I will not go quietly into that night. We took back the night, and damned if we wouldn’t do it again. #WritersResist is a movement, a call to arms and a privilege.
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He is such a vindictive person his flunkies are fearful to stand up to him, even member of our House of Representatives fear being on his enemies list. Shades of 1931.
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We survived the civil war. This time opponents aren’t separated geographically as they were then. We will get through this, too. This is the strength of democracy. Peaceful revolution is part of the process.
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Yes! ❤
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XOXO
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