Louis Michael: Motormouth

A new direction for humanity

On January 21st 2017 myself along with the rest of the world witnessed one of the most momentous global collaborations of this century to date, and the biggest protest in all of American history, as millions of people across the planet took part in the Women’s March.

Despite the fact that the march took place in large part due to certain political activities, I think that the far more interesting part of the march, and what I really want to talk about today, was the people themselves. The way in which we came together on Saturday 21st was phenomenal. To see such unification among humans is such a rare thing— it’s difficult enough putting together a pub quiz team.

Witnessing such encouraging solidarity reminds us just how easy camaraderie with our fellow human is. In a time when war, hunger and oppression are still realities across the globe this message has never been more important. Too often we lose ourselves in the bubble of our individual concerns. Pressured by the responsibilities of our lives it’s understandable, and forgivable, that we forget to consider those around us. But that’s just it, there are constantly people around us. When we’re in such close proximity to each other all we need to do is reach out and we instantly establish a connection. The Women’s March was establishing a connection across the globe, one of solidarity and community and support.

It’s difficult enough putting together a pub quiz team

More than this, I saw it as a reaffirmation of that most obvious community to which we all belong: humankind. Definitions of gender, race, nationality and sexuality may help us discover our own individual identities, but we can only come together as one united people when we come together under the shared banner of humanity. 

The Women’s March was a day where the needs of women and the right to equality were rightfully the main agenda, but the beautiful byproduct was the human cooperation that it incited. I for one hope that this historical action of humankind indicates a new direction for humanity, one which establishes more connections more frequently until the apathy we have become acquainted with dissolves and a new era of empathy emerges.

To quote Madonna, one of the speakers at the march: “welcome to the revolution of love”.