Commentary: Post-march, women should hold leaders accountable

Last weekend’s Women’s March — here in Santa Ana and Laguna Beach and around the world — was a vivid display of the fervency of millions propelled into action by the horrific verbiage and proposed actions of the new administration.

While organizers of the Women’s March on Washington, as well as the hundreds of Sister Marches, were careful to position the event as one of positive, aspirational expression rather than a Trump protest, the sea of pink “P” hats and clever sign slogans showed otherwise.

Will this goodwill and civic engagement advance its objectives to protect equal rights, preserve access to healthcare and security and embrace inclusion? To reject misogyny, bigotry and social injustice?

Or will its hopeful message and its pleas for human rights (already litigated and hard-won) fall on deaf ears, as government representatives are fortified by the perceived might of their recent electoral wins?

Much depends on the strategic efforts of those committed to these aspirations, and the efficacy of movements imagined to channel them. The “Indivisible Guide,” a publication written by Congressional staffers designed to mirror the effective grassroots methods of the Tea Party but toward better aims, conveys this organizational wisdom. Their key recommendations are:

1.) To activate on a consistent basis, with an organized local strategy targeting individual members of Congress.

2. A defensive approach focused on blocking an agenda built on racism, authoritarianism and corruption.

Here in California, our senators largely support more-enlightened views on equal rights, fairness, access to health care, public safety, climate change and limitations on corporate influence. Our GOP Representatives in the House, not so much. Many are not aware that Reps. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) have repeatedly voted in favor of the conservative GOP agenda, including the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, against basic gun-safety measures, and supporting corporate financial interests over environmental protections.

Many of us are despondent about the election results, but make no mistake: we will not sit quietly as the economic, social and environmental advances of the past decades are unraveled. We have awoken, we expect our voices to be heard, and we will hold the representatives who serve at our pleasure accountable.

DIANE BUCKA is a freelance writer and content marketing specialist from Irvine.