In light of Donald Trump’s most recent horrible comments about women, I’ve seen a lot of responses from male politicians against Trump and in support of women. At least, almost in support of women. Some of the responses are as follows:
(via Twitter)
(via Twitter)
And even his own Vice Presidential candidate spoke up about the issue:
(via Twitter)
As refreshing as it is to see the support against this disgusting, offensive bigot, there’s something about these statements that’s bothersome to me. All of them are in support of “our daughters”, or “our wives”. These responses aren't in defense of women, they're in defense of their women. Mike Pence is only offended "as a husband and father," not as a human being. Do these men know that women are also human beings? That we don’t require the “our” in front of our names have value?
I’m more than a daughter. I’m a person with value even outside of my relationship with men. We are more than sisters. We are more than wives and mothers and granddaughters and cousins and nieces. Having a woman in your life should not make you more prone to empathy.
This attitude that women need to belong to men to have their humanity recognized is toxic and, quite honestly, offensive. Men should be lashing out against Trump’s comments because they are crude and violent to PEOPLE, not just to their daughters. If you ask me to use 10 words to describe myself, I can promise you that “daughter” won’t be on that list.
I’m a human being with value even outside of my relationship with men. I said that a few lines up, as well, but I’m saying it again with the hopes that Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney and Mike Pence can hear me. I will not let men define me and I will most CERTAINLY not let them decide that they are the reason I have value.
Donald Trump is revolting, but so is the idea that women need men to be important.
