Happy iNAHguration day 2k17.
Photo by uschools/iStock / Getty Images
This is not at all what I imagined feeling like on this morning. Today is the day that the biggest buffoon takes over office and I refuse to be anything but empowered today. Inauguration Day is considered a holiday in D.C., so I didn't have to go to work, how nice. I will be occupying myself by indulging in activities that serve me because we all know, this will be a rough day. The streets will be packed, the protests will seep deep with emotions, and our favorite eagle will soar for his final time as president of the United States, we will miss you Obama. While Trump is banking on all of his supporters taking over D.C. this weekend, let's talk numbers for a second:
Obama's 2008 (first) Inauguration attendance: ~ 1.8 million people
Trump's projected 2017 (and hopefully only) iNAHguration attendance: ~ 800, 000 people
People seem to be traveling here more to protest than support this day in history and I'm here for it. I'm not sure who's attending Trump's iNAHguration, but there's a long list of Democrats and politicians who have decided to boycott it. I wonder what Trump has been doing leading up to this day, besides tweeting in all caps about subjects that don't matter. What communities has he visited? What political preparations has he made? The main thing I have read about pertaining to this event is how the iNAHguration parade is slated to go past the trump hotel, and how everyone is wondering if he will get out and walk. Really? That's it. I can go on all day but I refuse to be bitter, even though it helps. I just challenge myself and all my fellow peers to please stay safe, educated and aware this weekend and every day moving forward. People fail to realize, we've been in this position before and we can prevail. We have the reach. We have the avenues. We have the motivation to do so not because we want to, but because we need to. Here's some advice on how to be a more political aware millennial:
Invest in and learn about your local government- who is your governor? Who is your senator?
Understand why you have chosen to be a part of the political party that you affiliate yourself with- did you choose this path based off of your parents?
Understand your BASIC rights- what can and can't you actually do? What's legal and what's illegal?
What causes matter to you- and why?
These are just some focus areas in my personal opinion because I am challenging myself to focus on these. To live in D.C., or anywhere for that matter, I need to know these things. It's important to me to live in a place that supports my beliefs. To be surrounded by people who agree with me but don't forget, you will can always learn from the opposing team, especially in a time like this. I don't want to be unaware, I want to be awake and alert. You won't catch me sitting at the wrong table. There's plenty of events and gatherings we can support. The real main event of the weekend:
WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON
If you will be in D.C., MARCH. This is important. This is the impact we need to invest our time and energy into. There's a march, the rally, vigils.
Participate if you can and even if you can't, challenge yourself to do something today to better your community. It could be the simplest thing.
xoxo,
Michelai