Moment of Power in the #stateofwomen
Yesterday I was at the United State of Women White House summit. It was an amazing line up of speakers: The First Lady, President, and Vice President. Oprah, Amy Poehler, Kerry Washington, Loretta Lynch, Nancy Pelosi. Hundreds of amazing speakers, all talking on the same theme: Today we’ll change tomorrow.
Many of the speakers began with a moment of silence or recognition for those killed in Orlando… except one. Bamby Salcedo from the TransLatin Coalition asked for a moment of power. In other words, no more silence. There was a time for silence immediately following the murders when we were trying to untangle our brains and pay our respects, but now, days later, it is time to scream.
We all let out a roar, and it was probably the most emotional moment in a very emotional day. To hear all those angry women screaming for gun control laws, screaming for the right to be able to go out of the house and be safe, screaming for communities to come together and demand better from lawmakers.
Because at this point, moments of silence feel more akin to a lack of action. People are using silence and prayer to fill the space rather than doing something to effect change.
That was my take away from yesterday. There is definitely a time for silence. But after that silence is over, it’s time to scream.
Thank you, Bamby Salcedo, for reminding us of that.
12 comments
YES. Time to push for the much needed change. I’m actually in the process of drafting the first letters I’ve written to my elected representatives in years. There is no excuse for not enacting basic laws/gun control/etc that would save so many lives.
Oh my god. I’m quite literally writing a post, which is basically my scream, right now.
Yes the time is long overdue for not just feeling sad after the event but actual change!! It should not be so easy for somebody to get an assault riffle. I hope the gun laws will finally change!
I heard about this. And I got teary eyed. It’s time for change and change will only come with action. I don’t condone violence, but I do condone raising voices, asking questions and calling for results instead of promises. We’re long overdue.
This is amazing. I am so so sick of the inaction and silence. We all should be screaming!
This is me with my fist up in the air.
I can only imagine how amazing that must have felt. I think about Audre Lorde’s speech about the Master’s Tools, and wonder if we’ve made some strides in coming together … I hope we have, but I fear we haven’t. If there was ever a time we needed each other, it’s now: our power lies in our ability to work together towards a common goal.
I read your first paragraph, with the list of people who were there, and I said, “holy f%$#!” Then I read the rest of your post, and tears sprang to my eyes. I realise that lately I’ve felt silenced by powerlessness, resigned to inaction. This was the inspiration I need!
I love this. I am so ready for this. I am ready to be loud and angry until something changes. What an amazing experience the whole day must have been for you.
I agree with this. Orlando has been almost impossible for me, I am in such pain from it. The gays and lesbians of my generation worked so hard, thinking we were saving the next generation from the horrors we’d lived through.
All those beautiful, beautiful people.
Yes! Make some noise.
What a fantastic line up, Mel. And you are right, it’s time for women to be in charge!