Trump's response was to scoff at the physical appearances of his accusers and opponent
Maybe it’s a woman thing. When Predator Trump talks about groping women, or the women he’s groped tell their stories, I
feel personally violated and threatened. I feel sick to my stomach. And every male human seems a little more foreign and scary. Trump reminds me that we’re only a few
generations evolved from the days when Genghis Khan and his type raped their
way across Asia and Europe. The Daesch, Boko Haram, and the flourishing
world-wide sex trade are proof that our daughters are not more safe than we
were in the 1970’s. When one man says it’s okay to use superior strength or
power to overcome women’s bodies, he’s talking about all of us…and all of them.
Regardless who wins this presidential election, we should prepare for more attacks on women. If it is Trump, more men and boys
will adopt his attitudes. If Clinton, women will be derided the way
Barack Obama has been. We will all appear more threatening, once the
presidential glass ceiling has been broken. The congressmen who vowed to
obstruct Obama’s progress are still in office. The voters who embraced Trump’s
sexism, racism, bullying tactics, and xenophobia will still be among us. Self
defense and self-esteem classes for young women should be mandatory. Men whose
ideas have evolved will need to step up and be strong allies, because the next
four years may not be easy.
But if Clinton wins, progress will be made, as it has been
under President Obama. The next time a minority or woman runs for president, it
will not be such a hurdle or insult to white men who have dominated our nation’s
politics and economy since its inception. Women and people of color will
receive more respect in all areas of business, academia, home-life, and
politics. As our children grow up, the idea of a woman or minority in charge will
not phase them; it will be as common as the personal computers we carry in our
pockets.
Evil gives good people an opportunity to define themselves.
Donald Trump has verbalized much of what is wrong with our country, starting
with fear and lack of respect. He’s been so obvious that many people have felt compelled to speak up. And ultimately, he may do more good
for American women's progress, by blatantly illustrating what we’re all fighting
to put behind us.
