Reclaiming Our Narratives

I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that WAAM can be a life-changing experience. Our original marchers took a chance on this grassroots (incredibly grassroots) team, unsure of what to expect, and through sweat, blisters and tears we became a resilient community. 

All of us decided to march for different reasons. I marched for my kids whose identities as children of color with disabilities make them targets of the government’s abuse. March co-founder and full-time nurse, MJ, couldn’t stand by and watch as the injustices her activist parents fought resurfaced. Jim, a veteran and the WAAM quartermaster, marched from a strong dedication to protecting the Constitution. WAAM’s u-haul driver, Teddy, resolved to confront the money pervading our political system. Jimmy, an engineer and WAAM’s field safety lead, marched as a first-generation Mexican-American to show respect to the immigrant community.

As we marched, we learned about and from each other. We shared our stories, our fear and our hope. By the end of the two weeks, I wasn’t just marching for my kids. With my fellow marchers, we wove a narrative that incorporated all of our personal stories and motivations. There is nothing more American.

I studied writing in college and can tell you that everything hinges on a narrative. From the grocery list you’ve written for your husband (don’t forget the milk!) to the pleasantries exchanged over the mailbox with a neighbor, stories are how we communicate with and relate to each other. They are how we understand our place in the world. Over generations, our government has created and propagated a single overpowering narrative meant to silence us all. It’s a narrative centered on division, hatred, greed and fear, and it runs through us like a virus. It causes us to forget how to tell our own stories. When we lose our stories, we lose our humanity.

Everyone reading this newsletter, we have all traveled deeply personal paths to reach this moment of resistance, community and transformation. By marching in union, we empower ourselves and everyone watching to rescue and tell our stories. Despite (or maybe because of) our myriad differences, we are able to see our own strength and sacrifice mirrored in our fellow marchers and fellow Americans. This diversity and solidarity is the true spirit of our country. We are what America looks like. When we work together to turn our shared fear and shared faith into drivers for change, we can reclaim a country.

New WAAM design by marcher & artist Ashley

In order to bring so many diverse voices together, the We Are America March needs donations. No marcher is obligated to pay for food and housing during the pilgrimage. Anyone willing and able to sacrifice their time and body should be able to join the march. It costs $50 a day per marcher on the road. All donations to WAAM are tax deductible. Please donate here.

Want to help but also want to demonstrate your support? Our WAAM merchandise store is once again active with two new designs. There’s the WAAM 2026 shirt designed by our resident illustrator Dawn. In addition, our marcher and marshal Ashley designed a shirt that encompasses the passion and resilience of our movement. 

We are still accepting registrations for overnight marchers. If you are interested in joining the team as either a marcher or support person, sign up here.

Ready to learn more about WAAM? Our info and Q&A sessions are starting up again next week: Mondays @ 12 pm ET and Tuesdays @ 8 pm ET. Register through Mobilize.

We march in less than two months! Let’s go!