“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”
Today I got to be a part of history and I could not be any happier. I got to march with thousands of women today through the streets of Barcelona fighting for women right’s and equality. I found this very interesting to witness as both a Hispanic and a female for two reasons. One being the little jingles that they shout as the women march through the city. Their meanings are actually so powerful, I never knew of these Spanish jingles and I loved them all. My favorite was “sola, borracha, quiero llegar a casa”. This translates to “alone, or intoxicated, I want to make it home safe” I thought this was such a great quote especially now that I am abroad I totally understand how unsafe many women must feel walking around alone. The streets are always so quiet and dark. This obviously can/does happen in the United States but seeing it in another country just makes everything so much more ‘real’. It puts me in awe to see thousands of women across the world still experience what I do back in the states. Feeling unsafe, demanding for equality. I loved being able to see it first hand at today’s march.
My choice, so you be quiet”
Also, I love being able to read all the clever and powerful signs that the women create just for this march. Some are in English but most are in Spanish. I am so grateful that I can understand these powerful signs because they are so clever that it makes me laugh. Others are just so shockingly powerful that it creates a even bigger spark within me to demand for change. Second, just by being a female today reminds me how great it is to be a woman. I saw a sign that said “Whatever you can do, we can do while bleeding”. This was one of my favorite signs that I saw today because it makes total sense but I NEVER saw it in that perspective. I always associate my menstrual cycle with negativity as it being a sucky time of the month. That sign empowered me because it made me realize that it is so true! I remember being in high school and having to do my sport during the hardest times of the months and be expected not to complain about it! and I freaking did it and made it through like a champ!
I really enjoyed being surrounded by other women during this time. I got to even chat with some girls as they showed me their signs. I just felt like an instant connection to all the women there today. I learned a lot today just by being part of this march. I got to see the big differences of women’s march here, compared to back home in the United States. There was definitely way more women in the streets and they were accompanied by families, boyfriends, girlfriends, children, literally everyone supported this movement. There also was a marching band and dancers, it almost felt like a festival. I was honestly not very aware that this was happening here or that is was this popular. I don’t really know what exactly I was expecting but today definitely surpassed any of my expectations. I also saw thousands of people dressed in purple as that is the color of the feminist movement here in Barcelona. Many women went all out in purple outfits, painting their faces, wearing wigs, wtc. It was all so beautiful.
What a great day to be a WOMAN <3. Thank you Barcelona for reminding me of our great power and what I am and many other women are capable of!
Thalia's Blog in Barcelona, Spain 