Today, I have been allowed to participate in a significant protest regarding women’s reproductive rights, a cause about which I’m very passionate. I like to be a part of the change and I greatly admire protests. I was finally able to fit one into my busy schedule, and it was beautiful.
While attending my first protest on May 6th, I learned a few crucial things that I think are worth sharing.
1. Listen…
When I think of protests, I think of people just holding up signs and marching down a long street. However, I learned that most protests are accompanied by people who give passionate speeches regarding the matter. We had a handful of women speak about their own experiences with terminated pregnancies and reproductive rights. We also had a few more women step up to the microphone and rant their hearts out; you could hear the frustration and disappointment in society in every word that would exit their mouths. It was an honor to be present and listen to these women full of agony and fire. It was inspiring.
2. Admire…
It was nice to see so many people who agree with each other’s views and think similarly. I felt so alone when the Roe v. Wade news broke. I wondered if I was the only one genuinely losing sleep over this matter and feared what laws and rights would be snatched from us women next. But seeing the massive turnout at UC San Diego’s protest was very refreshing, and I felt instantly united with every person advocating for our rights there.
3. Participate…
Being a part of a protest is already participating in change, but repeating chants and making posters was eye-opening for me. Though we were protesting something infuriating and unfair, that didn’t fully sink in until I started to hold up my sign and walk in solidarity with the people surrounding me. As I began to do that, it felt more real, and I became more passionate the more I screamed and waved my poster in the air as if the entire world was reading it.
My toxic hometown always told me that protesting was useless and ridiculous, so I felt embarrassed to ever participate in one until I got to UCSD. I’m a big social justice advocate, and it’s so enlightening to be able to be myself here. I’m surrounded by primarily like-minded people and kinder humans than ever before. Though UCSD has its cons like any other university, I deeply admire how outspoken everyone is here and how proactive the students are. That’s what made my first protest so memorable. The rally was organized so beautifully and elegantly that people heard us; we turned heads, were in front of cameras, and were complimented. It was amazing, and it felt good to stand up for what’s right.
Being silent never got anyone anywhere.