AT THE WOMEN’S MARCH IN NEW YORK SOLIDARITY KNEW NO AGE
Just over a week ago, countless women all around the world once again stood together to fight oppression, prejudices, and any kind of inequality at the Women’s March New York. As their chants and claims still are very much prominent in our wars and minds, we asked New York based photographer Tereza Mundilova to look back on her time attending and documenting the Women’s March in New York City on the 21st of January, sharing with us how she experienced this culmination of female strength – and why she was especially drawn to the youngest attendees.
How would you describe the mood at this year’s Women’s March? Was there an energy, a solidarity that could be felt just being there?
Pure electricity – there was so much energy in the air. It was very powerful to hear the voices echoing through the streets, saying clearly: We are against discrimination and oppression, we stand for equality for all genders, race, sexual orientation, class and religion. The mood was brave, peaceful – not aggressive, but serious. It was the collective will of all kinds of communities that came together to form a vibrant, visible union.
How did you, as a photographer, then try to capture this mood?
It was especially important to me to portrait the protesters and support their statements by perpetuating as well as broadening their reach via photography.
How much were current events – for example #MeToo or #TimesUp – part of people’s conversations?
Solely by looking at the posters and banners of the protestants you could tell: MeToo & TimesUp played a very important role since the first Women’s March last year. I’m sure that it showed a lot of people that they are not alone and that it spread even more courage to come to the protest. #MeToo & #TimesUp shows what the movement is about and the message is clear: we won’t just sit and watch in silence
What drew you to the persons you photographed? I noticed they were predominantly teenage or younger girls.
Growing up for me means to realise how messed up the world actually is and how inhumane our society behaves in many areas. I was especially moved by the very young generation at the march, which wasn’t afraid to face reality already and who didn’t let the muting sexism seize power over them, but who leaned up against it and stood up for their present and future. It’s the generation after their mothers and grandmothers, who did the same in the 60s and 70s feminist movement in the US.
From your perspective and the people you spoke to – what is the change that still needs to happen?
It’s 2018 and there is still so much to do and to revolutionise, starting with the small up to the big things that manifest the conventions and collective thinking of our society. Trump is an issue that affects us all, as well as all the others kinds of “Trumps” all over the world. It’s important to raise awareness and to make a change, so that finally every single human on this world has the same rights and possibilities in their lives.
All photography by Tereza Mundilova