Unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, then you have to have seen the hazy clip of Donald Trump saying a very inappropriate remark about a young woman. Some seem to not be surprised by his distasteful comment, while others are ready to hunt the man down with pitchforks for making a statement eleven (yes, eleven) years ago. Even though Trump's campaign managers are working to cast off this comment as a form of "locker room talk," women across America will continue to have a hard time trusting this man as the leader of our nation.
When I first saw the video for myself, my first instinct was, of course, to be repulsed. However, the next thought that crossed my mind was, Why is this just coming out now? Trump declared that he was running for president on June 16 of last year. His name has been all over the political media ever since then, so I couldn't help but think that it was a little more than slightly convenient that this video would surface two days before the second presidential debate and one month before election day. Just something to consider.
And for those of you ready to hunt Trump down for his seemingly irredeemable misogynistic ways, I would have to ask you: Do you listen to the radio? Do you have cable television? There are so many comments made about women both in songs that are popular among my generation and in the television shows that are all over major networks. And yet, no one wants to hunt down the writers or the producers of these shows or the singers that sing these songs. For example, the whole "Blurred Lines" fiasco cost Robin Thicke way more than a few fans when he released this song about "taking" women; he lost his marriage, too. And yet, this song remained heavily popular despite it being about the objectification of women worldwide. And, rap songs seem to be super popular among my generation, and yet, they are filled with nasty comments about women and their bodies. I can't think of a single rap song that doesn't talk about a woman's body in a disgusting way. But, we don't seem to have a problem singing right along with these crude lyrics. So, for all of you ready to line up and make Trump pay for his offensive comment: I hope you're prepared to attack the entire entertainment industry as well. If you're going to make excuses for these celebrities that make money off of the objectification of women, you should provide the same for Donald Trump.
Am I okay with what Trump said? Not by any means, but I realize that Trump speaking about a woman in an objectifying way is not as bad as what Bill Clinton did while he was in office. I also realize that a remark Trump made eleven years ago has no effect on his ability to lead our nation. His statement made over a decade ago does not hinder his capacity as a great business man. It has no effect on his skill as a world-class negotiator. It does not change the fact that besides a few inappropriate comments made in his past, Trump is going to Make America Great Again.
So, with that, I end: I am a female, and I support Trump.
