These “ ways ” I speak so highly of are moments like holding hands with strangers and putting our fists into the air , chanting , “ I matter . We matter . I am the people . We are the people .” My chest tightened and tears welled up in my eyes because it was the first time I had ever said that , let alone felt it — “ I matter .” It was the first time I believed that — “ We matter .” It was validating the use of my voice —“ I am the people .” It was a reminder of the knowledge that had been stripped with our hope — “ We are the people .” It was moving , and this is a movement .
I am a first generation American . I was born in a nation of immigrants not of ignorance . I am a first generation American . I was born in a nation that does not turn its back on the hardworking , courageous people looking to provide better lives for themselves and for their families . I am a first generation American . I live in a nation where our safety and freedoms are being threatened .
The Women ’ s March was the beginning . It is a reminder that we are not alone . You are not alone . It is a feeling of unity and connection .
Now , we ask ourselves , “ What ’ s next ?”
We must define our next steps and turn them into local and national action .
We do this for the same reasons we marched : for our families , for our friends and for our futures .
We are the future .
We are the people .
We matter .