This November I will be voting in the presidential election for the first time. I'd like to say that I have a lot to think about and consider, but really, I don't feel like I do. Typically when voting in an election, voters have to consider things like candidates' foreign policies, stance on the cost of higher education, etc. But the only thing that I can think about right now concerning this election is Donald Trump's blatantly obvious disrespect for women. He has put this disrespect on full display many times throughout and before the start of his campaign. The statements he has made can only be described as vile, and I dread the possibility of him leading the nation.
Trump stated that he would need to be offered one trillion dollars (at least) to make out with Rosie O'Donnell, and later went on to describe her face as "fat" and "ugly". The fact that a man who has said things like this, and much worse, could be President of the United States is scary. Should we elect him, what kind of example are we setting for the young men and women of our nation? We are basically telling our children that it is acceptable to talk about others this way, and let others talk about them this way. Body image issues are an epidemic in this country as it is, I can only imagine how they will sky rocket if we elect a president who doesn't mind saying things like this publicly.
Trump has also said that he doesn't think Hillary Clinton has the "presidential look". Can someone explain to me how to look presidential? I have never seen Hillary Clinton look anything but fabulous, colorful, and put together. And an Oompa Loompa in a suit is telling her she doesn't look presidential enough? Maybe if he would sit down for a second and think of something relevant or intelligent to say, he could challenge Hillary on a legitimate issue that matches her level of intelligence. Just an idea.
Let’s talk about Trump’s stance on abortion. In regards to a woman choosing to have an abortion, he said “there has to be some type of punishment”. Call me crazy, but I don’t think the government should be able to determine what women do with their bodies. Choices like these should be up to the woman in the situation, and nobody else. Period. Especially not Donald Trump who, as we can infer from previous statements he has made, probably wouldn’t be able to talk to a woman long enough to try to understand her side of the situation.
Most recently, tapes were released of Donald Trump saying some pretty vulgar things about women that I don't even know if I'm allowed to write on here. Basically, he alluded to kissing and groping women without their consent, and said that they would let him do it because he is famous. These tapes were from eleven years ago, when Trump was 59 years old. More than old enough to know better. If we elect Trump, our decision will only be further perpetuating violence against and disrespect towards women. The fact that he is still being considered for President tells young boys in America that it is okay to treat women the way Trump did, and still does. And it tells young girls that if they encounter this behavior somewhere down the line, they should just put up with it, because the man putting his "mistake" behind him is more important than their right to be treated with respect.
On a more personal note, I am at a really good place in my life. I feel proud of my accomplishments, and I feel empowered as a woman. I am lucky to have male, female, and non binary friends and family members who lift me up and inspire me. Though sexism is still a very real thing in the world, we can't say we aren't making strides. We are really getting somewhere. Let's not let Donald Trump send us back in the other direction.
