From: smccabe@author.ecn.purdue.edu (Sarah A McCabe)
Subject: Re: Reflections on the March
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 04:06:54 GMT


Okay, I know this is kind of late, but honestly, it took me three days 
to feel human again.  Those of you who have no interest in reading my
random musings hit "n" now.

When I first decided to go to Washington, I did it because I felt it
was important to have as many bodies there as possible to show our
legislators that this issue is of serious importance to the voters.
I never thought of it as something that I personally would get 
anything out of.  I mean, I hate crowds, I am bored by most rhetoric-filled
speeches, and any kind of physical exhertion postively makes me
break out in hives.  But since several of my friends were going, 
like a good martyr to the cause, I plunked down my $60 for the 
30 hour round trip bus ride.  As the day for the march drew closer
I began to get more excited about witnessing a day  which could,
well not exactly live in infamy, but at least be remembered as a small
footnote in history.

After the 15 hour ride there, we arrived in D.C. running a bit late.  Too
late in fact to meet up with the other people from our state as previously 
arranged.  Due to some mixup with parking permits, we ended up stopping
in the suburbs and taking the metro into the city.  At every stop more 
people flooded onto the train.  It took me a little while to realize that
not only were those folks dressed in t-shirts and buttons heading the same
place as I, but that group of elderly ladies looking like they were off
to an afternoon of shopping and those high school kids looking like
they were in search of the latest party, they too were on their way to
march for women's rights to self-determination.  I didn't see it then,
but that was when I began to get something out of the trip.

When we reached the ellipse, from whence the march was to begin, we found
ourselves in the midst of the biggest crowd I have ever been in.  Bigger
than any stadium, bigger than Disney World and Epcot.  I still am not sure
why, but during the whole day I never got that claustrophobic feeling
that usually accomplanines being surrounded and hemmed in by masses of
people.  I do believe the reason for this is the fact that even though
we may not agree on every thing or even most things, we all had come
together for a single purpose and that formed a bond between us all.
I know that there is not really any way to say this without coming
across as exteremely corny and trite, but it was very spiritually 
fulfilling to have such a potent reminder that we are not fighting
this battle in small groups against the many, but that there are
an enormous number of people figuratively standing at our side.  When 
you see them literally standing at you side, it truly helps to affirm
that message.  

The other thing that impressed me was the great number of people 
representing groups that I often fall into the trap of labelling "them".  
It was wonderful to see that many of them are actually "us".  I am sure 
I can't remember them all, but I do recall seeing signs for "Republicans 
for Choice", "Religious Coalition for Choice", "Catholics for Choice" 
(they were all over the place), "Jewish Coalition for Choice", not to 
mention the hoardes of "Pro-Choice Grandmother" signs.  The diversity
of ages and socio-economic status among the marchers was also very 
heartening to see.  If asked before hand, I would have guessed that the
median age of the crowd would probably be about 25.  I think I would
have to add 15 years to that estimate now.

After the march was over, we all headed over to the mall where the 
afternoon speakers were performing.  At this point I ducked into the
Air and Space Museum and spent about an hour and a half in seventh 
heaven.  Due to a set of incredibly fortuitous circumstances, I even
got to see the Star Trek exhibit!

All in all, I must say that I definitely got more out of that trip 
than "the cause" got by having my one body there.  I am already 
looking forward to next year.  (Although I am definitely looking into
a plane trip.  If there is a Pergutory, it consists of an all night,
never ending, never daylight bus ride.).

Sarah McCabe
(who's feeling mighty jealous of Muriel and Susan and Cathi and Nora for 
having all these cool ex-boyfriends)


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