With the Presidential election coming up, one would think that the main topic of discussion would be the platform's of each candidate, with civil debate going on about the issues at hand. However, recent discussion has been revolved around that one of our potential future President is possible rapist. I assume that everyone left and right has heard the disgusting comments that Donald Trump made back in 2005, so I'm not going to repeat the foul, lewd comments that came out of his mouth. However, after the video leaked, Donald and his campaign kept emphasizing that the words that came out of his mouth were just harmless, innocent locker room talk.
I think it is important to break down why categorizing this as locker room talk is not only wrong but also harmful for young men and women to hear. By labeling Trump's description of what most normal people would define as sexual harassment as "locker room talk", Trump is condoning discussion and acts of non-consensual sex as long as it is done behind closed doors. By labeling this as locker room talk, it is telling young girls that no matter what your body is going to be touched and grabbed whether you like it not. By labeling this as innocent, harmless, Trump is saying that words are just words and do not matter. However, words matters. Words hurt. Words can cause pain and act as triggers to victim of sexual assault. Word teach girls and boys the rights and wrongs of society. Word mirror ideas. Words reflect plans. Words echo actions. Any person who can speak so vividly of ill-action is more than likely speaking from experience. I have no doubt in my mind that Donald Trump has sexually assaulted several women based on that manner in which he talks about women. Aside from the notion that Trump is speaking of sexual assault, to give Donald, a potential head of state, a free pass on this scandal because they were simply words and not actions is outright senseless. As Command-in-Chief, being an eloquent orator and being careful and mindful with your words is imperative. Currently, our current president, President Barack Obama, is beautiful oration and Donald Trump is at the opposite side of that spectrum. And to allow someone who is frankly unintelligent to speak for the American people would cause several conflicts for our country.
Speaking on a matter like this and still seeing loyal advocates for the Trump campaign makes me very fearful for the future of our country. Perhaps Hillary is leading in several of the polls, however, we still have a little less than a month left until the election. And hearing about so many people acting on alternatives to voting for the two main parties makes me more fearful. Everyone is entitled to vote, or not vote, for any candidate they please, but this is only throwing more votes to Trump. History speaks on the fact that in years of low voter turnout, the Republican candidate is more likely to win. I understand that the idea of voting for the less of two evils, but there is definitely a lesser evil to vote for in this election. Hillary Clinton does not a perfect political past, however, she is a politician- not a uneducated, uninformed, and frankly a bad businessman. Before November 8th, I hope that those who are still undecided think of the consequences for voting for each candidate and end up making the right choice.
