I don't like politics. Let me just preface with that. I don't like the lying, the scheming, and the slander that occurs during election season. And this time around, I really, REALLY don't like the candidates.
But I think what I dislike most about presidential elections, and especially this year's election, is the way our country reveals its true colors. Most American citizens may say that that is a good thing, and perhaps in the end it is. But sometimes I get too comfortable in my ignorance-is-bliss mindset and with the idea that the American people is, in general, unified on most accounts and as a collective whole wish the best for each other.
This election period has proved my idealistic mindset wrong. While I know I have been sheltered by a beautiful, loving hometown, I also grew up understanding that there was evil in the world; but this election season how terrified me by how many evil people get away with evil things.
An audio clip was recently released in which Republican candidate Donald Trump was heard conversing with Billy Bush, then-reporter for Access Hollywood. The two men and their staff were arriving on a television set in a large bus, and while Trump's lapel microphone was on, listeners hear a great deal about his views regarding women. In the sound bit, Trump openly admits to attempting and "failing" to make a move on a woman. The vulgar language quickly escalates and he states, "I did try to f*** her; she was married" (0:09). He talks about seeing the woman now, stating, "And now all of a sudden I see her, and she's got the big, phony tits and everything; she's totally changed her looks" (0:27).
As the bus settles into the set parking lot, Billy Bush soon points to the woman who is greeting the men and bringing them to the television set. Bush says to Trump, "Geesh, your girl's hot as shit -- there, in the purple!" (0:31), followed by "Yes! The Donald has scored!" (0:36). Palms can be heard slapping high-fives, along with the laughs of the men aboard the bus. Trump says, after he and Bush are left alone as the staff members exit, "I better use some some Tic-Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know, I'm automatically attracted to beautiful -- I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet" (1:06).
This statement is quickly followed by the line that is catching news fires across the country: "And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything -- grab 'em by the p***y, do anything" (1:16), to which Bush responds with a laugh. Bush redirects the conversation again to the woman the men have come to meet, saying, "Ah, look at those legs. All you can see is the legs" (1:25), and Trump replies with "Ah, it looks good" (1:27). The full audio/video clip can be heard on The New York Times website.
Just by listening to these comments, I feel the fear creep up inside of me again. I have felt the anguish of living in a culture where rape and assault are so prevalent, and those who commit these crimes are not punished. I know the anxiety that bubbles in the stomachs of women on every college campus as they walk to their dorms at night. I know the quick glance to the ground as a young woman passes a large man on the sidewalk. I know the fear at having an older man tell me to smile and not having the right to tell him to shove it. I live with this fear because I am a woman. Many may say, "But you don't need to; you're perfectly safe." And yet those who make that argument are the ones who have not had to feel such fear.
And now I sit at my computer and I listen to a candidate for president speak about the body of a woman as his property and conquest. He is open about attempts at infidelity (although the media has already alerted the public to his marital struggles). He crudely refers to the breasts of a woman, and does not shy away from condoning assault. His very use of the word "it" to speak of the woman he has arrived to meet speaks volumes. There is no "she," there is no humanizing qualities, there is only the "it" and her "legs."
On moral ground I cannot support a man who speaks about women this way because I know the fear that stems from this behavior. Many of his supporters say, "Yeah, well, it was 11 years ago. Who cares? Why aren't we looking at Hillary and her issues?" To which I respond: Yes, his comments were made over a decade ago, but if you watch the debates and the interviews, you see that his opinion of women has not changed (but don't worry -- follow me next week to hear about Clinton. I will give each candidate his/her due time). The way he interrupts females (and males) during interviews, the numerous times he interrupted Clinton in their most recent debate, his Twitter and verbal attacks toward Megan Kelly, calling her a "bimbo" . . . comments have circulated throughout the entirety of his campaign. He is not respectful towards women now, and the surfacing of this sound bit only proves that his disgusting, misogynistic views have continued for years and will continue in the future.
And yet, I still scroll through my Facebook feed and see friends from high school and college who continue to support him. Young, beautiful married women who now have daughters of their own still think he is the best person to run for president. But to these young women, I ask, do you remember the fear you felt? Do you remember the pure rage when heard the story of a 9-month old dying from sexual assault or the anger you felt when hearing the Brock Turner case? Do you remember the first time a man made you uncomfortable? Do you remember realizing that no matter what he said or did to you, he wouldn't be reprimanded? When you hold your baby girls at night, when you look at their perfect, innocent faces, can you think about Donald Trump and his words and how they'd affect your baby? What would you do if your baby girl came home from school one day, crying or quiet or angry, and told you that a boy in her class or a man at the grocery store said or did something to her?
How can you listen to this man's words, watch his uncontrolled actions, and think that he is the man to lead your daughter's country?
Supporters may think that Donald Trump's words now and eleven years ago do not promote rape culture . . . but they certainly do not condemn it. He is not making strides to put rapists behind bars. He is not striving to make women feel like respected equals to their male counterparts. He is not strong enough to be our president.
I do not think Trump is fit for a presidency, nor do I think Clinton is fit. I do not think a misogynist or a liar have any place behind the desk that runs America.
But I do not think anyone cares.
And that is why I am broken.
