Anyone who has been following this election season has been following the unpredictable rise of Donald Trump. Trump has been known to say his share of crazy and outrageous things, especially concerning women. Trump has come under attack by other media sources for his treatment of women and Fox News debate moderator Megyn Kelly called Trump out for these comments saying, "You've called women you don't like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals." Trump defended his statements on a radio interview saying he was just kidding. Trump apparently doesn't have time for "total political correctness" and claims that most of his disparaging remarks about women are just jokes.
"I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I've been challenged by so many people and I don't frankly have time for total political correctness and to be honest with you this country doesn't have time either. Frankly what I say and oftentimes it's fun, it's kidding, we have a good time."
To validate his point, that women can't just take a joke, I have compiled a list of other things that men were probably just kidding about in regard to women.
1. Men were probably just kidding when women didn't have the right to vote.
2. It was maybe just a joke that married women couldn't own property.
3. Or even have custody of their own children if they were to get a divorce.
4. Unequal opportunities in education for women was most likely just a silly joke.
5. Everyone is probably just kidding about the wage gap still being a thing.
6. The lack of recognition for female artists is most likely just for a laugh.
7. People are probably just poking fun when they harass Kim K and other female celebs for posting a nude selfie, but praise Justin Beiber for it.
8. Women's bodies being consistently sexualized in advertising is maybe just for "a good time."
9. Women are still waiting on the punch line for the joke about why the Equal Rights Amendment has never been passed.
If sexism is funny, women will never be taken seriously as human beings. Trump's comments re-enforce the narrative of women's bodies being their most important feature and ignoring their skills, intelligence and ambitions. Trump's blatant and unapologetic sexism hurts women now, and will only get worse if he continues into office.
