Missed the March but Did my Part

Today was the day of the 2019 Women's March in NYC. There were attempts to gin up controversy concerning the marches and alt-right/neo-Nazi attempts at ratfucking in some communities, but NYC seems to have pulled it off well, with one kooky moment. I was march adjacent for a while, the route of the march went by the dojo where I volunteer coach:

We were teaching class during the march, but could see it out of the windows during breaks in the action. I was particularly struck by a large banner bringing attention to the plight of indigenous women in Bolsonaro's Brazil.

While I wasn't able to attend the march, I like to think I did my part in the empowerment of girls. Here is a picture of two of our first-grade aged students, a tranquil, even tender moment:

Of course, this was merely a prelude to close-quarters combat:

I find both of these pictures equally adorable. Our students made me extremely proud today. They range in ages from five-and-a-helf to fourteen, and they take good care of each other in our sometimes rough-and-tumble sport. There is a nice egalitarian atmosphere, with the older kids being respectful towards the younger kids and the boys being respectful of the girls.

I have to say that working with these children was even worth missing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez' speech:





It was even worth it to feel sore and creaky on the subway ride home.