Maker Monday: Make Change
–written by Hearth Ember, Jaclyn Wood
With an emotional week ahead, this week at Maker Monday we welcome all to join us in making art to express our frustrations or hopes and make posters to take action.
We’re about to enter the term of America’s 45th president and the direction of a new leader. As always, change is never easy, particularly in a country that feels so polarized. In his farewell address Obama reminded us to “Understand, democracy does not require uniformity. Our founders quarreled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity—the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one.” We need to stand together in solidarity to make the change we seek and defend our constitutional rights. I believe there are more good people than bad in the world and the Hearth Community is place where we can stand together.
The Women’s March on D.C. began as merely a suggestion in a Facebook event. The idea was soon backed by a group of women who took on organizing to make it a reality. The organizers of the Women’s March on D.C. posted an expansive platform outlining the values and principles for an intersectional movement. An important read for all march participants to understand why we march. Hundreds of sister marches across the nation have been organized in solidarity with these principles and the communities most vulnerable including the Boston Women’s March for America. A small group of women are running from Harlem, NY Wednesday evening to reach the march in D.C Saturday; an incredibly powerful action gaining over $50,000 of support.
What action will you take? Some members of our community have committed to attending the Boston Women’s March and they’ll gather at Maker’s Monday to make posters. As always, the event is open to our entire community, whether or not you will be marching. If you participate in a march remember you are exercising your right to peacefully assemble. Do not give in to anger or hate. The most important actions you can make are of kindness and support to all in our daily lives.
Say informed. Be kind. Keep working to make change.
Events to actively participate in:
– Boston People’s Inauguration
– Boston Women’s March for America
Some other local Poster Making events if you are unable to attend Maker Monday:
– Somerville: https://www.facebook.com/events/1872578509642436/
– Cambridge: https://www.facebook.com/events/357271357978916/
– http://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/sign-making-for-boston-women-s-march-for-america
If you can’t attend a making event and need inspiration for your own posters, here are some messages to get you started:
- Women’s Rights are Human Rights
- LGBTQIA Rights are Human Rights
- Love not Hate
- Don’t Hate, Educate
- We will not accept sexism, racism, homophobia, xenophobia, ableism or bigotry
- Change the politics not the climate
- We need climate justice now!
- Rights take Might
- The power of the people is stronger than the people in power
- Stand up & Unite
- Gender Justice is Racial Justice is Economic Justice