‘Women – the soul of the nation’
THE Women’s March on Washington drew up to a half a million people; far greater, more spirited crowds than Trump’s Inauguration (approx one-and a-half million including other US cities).
It was inspired by and evoked the legacy of the 1963 March on Washington by great human-rights activist Pastor Martin Luther King when he delivered his “I have a dream” speech”.
Powerfully inspiring, inclusive sentiments: “Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice… to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.
“And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream… that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”
This march following Trump’s inauguration was motivated by his continually insulting, degrading attitude to women – particularly the tapes recording Trump boasting about forcing himself on women: “Just kiss, don’t even wait. Just grab them by the pussy. And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything.”
Numerous women bore testimony to his casual abuse of women he doesn’t even know.
Widespread public outrage was dismissed as over-reaction; this was “just banter”.
America has a well-established feminist movement; a culture of determined, courageous women – academic, professional from all occupations – but their voices have been swept aside.
One of Trump’s appointees to public office said, “Feminism is a disease; you’d rather have cancer.”
The march confronts such misogynist, racist and divisive rhetoric; to be pro-active about women’s rights, “to take a stand on social justice and human rights issues ranging from race, ethnicity, gender, immigration and healthcare.”
Posters with slogans such as “Pussies Strike Back!”; “Trump Demeans Women”. And a Spanish woman who grabbed the crotch of a waxwork figure of Trump, added “Grab Patriarchy by the Balls!”
The Pussyhat Project knitted pink hats for the marchers as a symbol of solidarity, the name referring to the corners of the hats having poky cats’ ears, reclaiming the derogatory term.
Organisers ensured a huge variety of women from differing races and backgrounds, well-known icons of women’s activism: Gloria Steinem, Angela Davies, Dolores Huerta, Maryum Ali (activist daughter of Muhammad Ali), Senior Rabbi Sharon Brous, Ashley Judd, Scarlett Johansson and many others, including supportive men such as Harry Belafonte, and filmmaker Michael Moore.
Coretta Scott King gave support, “Women, I believe you must become the soul of the nation.”
Millions of women of conscience committed to protecting hardwon values of human rights, and women’s legal and social equality, women whom Trump repudiates as unworthy of state appointments, contributing to the American dream.
One woman he particularly admires is his “spiritual adviser”: Pastor Paula White like him married three times whom he describes as “a beautiful person, both inside and out.”
White is a televangelist at Destiny Church, Florida, with a claimed 10 000 congregants; a Pentecostal-related denomination.
Conveniently for Trump, she propagates a “prosperity gospel” preaching that God rewards true believers with material wealth and health, so being rich is confirmation of one’s goodness and success.
Her personal probity is manifested in her lavish lifestyle, designer clothes and four-inch stilettos, a Jet-stream aircraft, several multimillion-dollar properties, including an apartment in Trump Tower. She constantly urges monetary contributions to the church – “ten-thousand dollars, or just a thousand.”
Of her entry into the Christian ministry she testifies: “The Lord gave me a message that every time I opened my mouth and declared the Word of the Lord, there was a manifestation of His Spirit where people were either healed, delivered or saved. When I shut my mouth they fell off into utter darkness and God spoke to me and said, ‘I called you to preach the gospel.’”
Among other pronouncements: “Find people who enhance you, rather than inhibit you.” “Anyone who tells you to deny yourself is from Satan.”
“I do know that God has sent me to bring you resurrection life – the grave cloths are coming off.” To this end she offers an “anointed prayer cloth” costing $1 144 (R15 484), which, with the “Resurrection Seeds” also offered, will guarantee eternal life. Do these sentiments enhance her authenticity as a spiritual leader?
What guidance does White offer on living an ethical life, following the exhortations of Jesus to act as peacemakers in a troubled world, to love one’s enemies, to care for the poor and marginalised, to reconcile divided communities? “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Trump seems to expect women in his life to support all his ideas and schemes; to look attractive and sexually alluring, sexually available at his whim, compliant not challenging – a hyper-masculinist stereotype of women.
What dream does White have for her fellow Americans and the myriad citizens of this planet?
Diesel has a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Natal where she taught the subject for some years.