Why I marched:
I marched not because of what I’m against, but because of what I’m for.
I hate the idea of abortion and would like to see that no woman ever has to make that decision. But I believe the way to reduce the number of abortions is to make sure that women (and men) have access to sex education and contraceptives and that sexual violence and the objectification of women are ended.
I believe that once they’re born, children should be protected, cared for and educated. They and their families should have love, food, shelter, and health care. The foster care/adoption system should function for the best interest of the children, not the bureaucracy. Children with special needs should be acknowledged and accommodated. Bullying must be addressed and ended.
I believe that one way children can have better lives is for their mothers to have better lives—to have decent wages for work done; to have work schedules that permit them to plan for doctor’s appointments, teacher conferences and other requirements of daily life most of us in good jobs take for granted; and to never have to choose among safety, transportation, and good schools when looking for low-cost housing.
I believe the country needs to do something about the rampant gun violence that takes too many young lives by homicide, suicide or accidents.
I believe elderly people, like children, should be respected, protected and cared for.
I believe that we owe it to future generations to preserve the earth.
I believe all Americans, regardless of religion, race, gender identification, or sexual orientation, deserve the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and all that means.
I believe we have a moral obligation to live up to the invitation on the Statue of Liberty to be a refuge for the world's oppressed.
I believe in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: that freedom of speech, the press, assembly, petition and religion are bulwarks of our national identity.
I believe in the Bible — what does God require of thee? To do justice, act with compassion, and walk humbly; when we have done something for the least of God’s children, we have done it for Christ himself; we are commanded to love our neighbors.
I believe that facts matter. And words matter.
That is why I marched. And I was inspired to be with so many others with similar beliefs.
Gayle White was a longtime religion writer and reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She originally wrote this piece as a Facebook posting.
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