Opinion: You don’t have to be privileged or a protester to participate in ‘A Day Without a Woman’

To the editor: I generally appreciate Meghan Daum’s point of view, but in this instance I must differ. (“‘A Day Without a Woman’ is a strike for privileged protesters,” Opinion, March 5)

The organizers of A Day Without a Woman have pointedly provided levels of participation: Do no work, wear red, or buy nothing. There are also marches and demonstrations scheduled. Each can respond according to ability.

Yes, this is a political movement fueled by the passions of older citizens in the upper and middle classes. We watched the civil rights movement as children and the feminist struggles in the 1970s. We got busy with our lives and maybe we forgot to teach our daughters about coat hanger abortions and black history. We forgot that the Equal Rights Amendment did not pass.

It is our turn. When the white women hit the streets in protest, you know things are bad. Citizens with good fortune have a moral obligation to speak out for those who don’t have extra time and energy to protest.

Carla Johnson, Claremont

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To the editor: I am one of the “privileged women” who will appear at a protest Wednesday. I am privileged to be retired after 40 rewarding years of teaching in public schools, which are under assault. I am privileged to live in a country where I am free to protest the misogyny of the current president, the cuts to healthcare that will occur if the Affordable Care Act is repealed, and the threats to defund Planned Parenthood.

Yes, many women will be unable to attend a protest because they cannot leave work. However, anyone who feels that human rights are threatened by the Trump administration should use every opportunity to raise their voices.

Whether or not meaningful change will result from our protests remains to be seen. But those of us horrified by this administration will continue to protest loudly until we are heard.

We are not protesting to “combat boredom or to boost our self-esteem,” but to make America truly great again.

Kris Evans, Laguna Beach

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