hands off our freedoms: it’s 2017 and women still have to fight for basic shit

Happy International Women’s Day, I guess? Forgive the ‘tude, but as we roll through Donald Trump’s second month as President, it would be irresponsible of me to pretend that now’s a stellar time to be a woman in Trump’s World, whether you’re American or not. And while the Wall Street bull’s newest opponent—a statue of a little girlchallenging the bull’s fierce gaze—is a hopeful symbol of the fearless and ferocious women who have, are, and will challenge the male-dominated status quo of the business and finance world. It’s hard to forget that America’s new President represents and re-enforces the antithesis of this idea; through his rhetoric, practices, and policy. Be it Trump’s misogynistic views on women in the workplace (and elsewhere), the repeated allegations of and self-described sexual assault perpetrated by him, or the endangerment of women’s health around the world through executive actions. Not to mention the cloud of dread that looms over reproductive rights, queer and trans rights, immigrant, indigenous and civil rights in this country—all of which are women’s issues. I can’t help but look at that little, bronze statue and be reminded of how desperate the ongoing fight against the misogynistic patriarchy is and whether or not it can be won for the girls represented in that statue.

State Street Global Advisors’ statue of a little girl on Wall Street

Zahrah Hill, left, and Symone Holmes, right, stand with their friend at the Women’s March on Washington. Photo via Slate

*Erin White is an Atlanta-based writer and AFROPUNK’s editorial and social media assistant. You can follow her on Tumblr or friend her on Facebook. Have a pitch or an inquiry? Shoot her an email at erin@afropunk.com.