The three co-chairs of last month's Women's March spoke Thursday at Wake Forest University. Linda Sarsour, Tamika D. Mallory, and Carmen Perez were instrumental in organizing the event that drew millions around the world to participate. The women discussed their backgrounds as organizers, the role of diversity in the movement, and the next steps for those involved in the Women's March in a panel discussion moderated by Wake Forest's Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry.
1. The issues being highlighted are not new ones.
Linda Sarsour opened by declaring Donald Trump, "a blessing in disguise." She's been organizing for 16 years and says finally, important issues are coming into the spotlight, like racism, xenophobia, and inequality.
Perez echoed that Trump is a "reflection of America" and that racism and oppression have long existed in the country. The two extended a "welcome" to those involved in the march.
Mallory agreed in welcoming newcomers to the movement, but also asked "where have you been?"
"America has been hostile to its people for a long time," Mallory said. "It did not start on November 8th, and it will not end in four years."
2. The need for diversity at the "center of the table."
The women pointed out that the history of feminism has not necessarily been welcoming and uplifting to women of color, and if there's an agenda for women being created, they need to be present not just at the table, but at the center of the table.
Perez said feminism should be intersectional, not monolithic. An event and subsequent movement of this caliber, she says, could not have gone on and cannot continue to go on without women of color.
3. How to hold the coalition together.
Perez asked, "what's going to make people continue to show up?" Sarsour stressed that people should try to see something outside of "their issue." At the heart of the movement, Sarsour says, are individual interactions, knowing one another. "How are you going to protect me if you don't know me?" she asked.
4. What's next for the movement.
During the Q&A after the discussion, a member of the audience asked what white women can do. Sarsour says, "get more uncomfortable."
"The Women's March was a moment of solidarity. It was a way to show up, to be counted, but there was little risk involved," she says.
The women pointed to the direct actions outlined on the Women's March webpage. Sarsour says individuals should get to know immigrant communities and stay consistently public. She pointed to March 8th, International Women's Day, as an opportunity for women to participate in a "A Day Without A Woman."
5. What they really think of those pink 'pussyhats.'
The women admit that initially they weren't on board with the hats. But Perez heard a story from her sister about a grandmother that changed her mind.
"My sister said, 'This is my coworker's mom. She lives in the Bay area, and she can't march," says Perez. "And she's so proud of you, all of you, that she feels her contribution to the movement is making these hats.'"
Sarsour joked that she wasn't a fan at first. "I wasn't feeling the hats, I was like that's corny, people, but I love the hats now. I have my own. I have a couple of hats now."