On Friday, October 7, 2016 the Washington Post released audio of Donald Drumpf on an open mic bragging to Billy Bush about his rich, white privilege in relation to his sexual behavior toward women. Drumpf said that he could grope and kiss women whenever he wanted because when you’re famous “they’ll let you do anything.” The release of this recording fueled a national debate on social media and television in what seemed to me a surreal division of people who thought it was “no big deal” and those who were deeply troubled by it. I fall into the latter category, not because I’m offended by words but because I look at the bigger picture and evaluate the environment in which this occurred.
If this were simply about words I would most likely say, “Well, that’s not very Presidential. It seems to me that someone running for office should conduct him/herself in a more professional, adult manner.” I would then move on and worry about actual issues that will affect the country, both short- and long-term. As previously stated, though, this isn’t about words.
Some background: I wasn’t introduced to Drumpf until recently but have a passing knowledge of his history with marriages, beauty pageants, wealth, business, and public Twitter wars with other public figures. I’ve never had any interest in watching him assert his dominance over people in “The Apprentice” and I don’t watch beauty pageants on principle. From an outsider’s perspective he comes across as an ignorant, elitist, misogynistic, egotistical asshole. Since he announced his candidacy for President I’ve seen nothing from him to dissuade me from believing this is true. He seems to seek out groups of people to disrespect and one of those groups has consistently been women.
This last issue, coupled with the fact that this horrible person is running for President of the United States of America, is what really makes Drumpf’s comments disgusting. Between the Christian defenders, the hardcore Republican blubberers, and the ignorant chest-thumpers guffawing it’s easy to see why Drumpf doesn’t even understand why he had to notpologize in the first place. There are actually a few specific things that really piss me off about this whole situation:
Women Are Sex Toys
Drumpf is difficult enough to stomach without even remotely thinking about the fact that another human being has allowed him to have sex with her. On top of that, he conveys the attitude that he’s not just allowed to do it, he’s entitled to do it. Because of his fame women will “let him do anything” whether they want to or not (I’m guessing not more often than not-not) and he doesn’t even have to ask. In fact, he doesn’t just not ask, he – in his own words – “doesn’t even wait” to find out! Why? Because women are sex toys for his amusement. Women are just pussies, waiting to be grabbed. This is the absolute height of demeaning, degrading, and violent thought process this person could hold. It would only be worse if he followed that statement with, “and then you just kill them and dump them in the landfill.”
These statements and the mentality that accompanies them indicate a picture-perfect illustration of a man who doesn’t give a shit about women. It’s even more disgusting when you consider that he even feels this way about his own daughter. To denigrate all women in such a manner highlights the struggle for equality in America and the reason we need feminism. Women aren’t “the weaker sex” and they’re not just baby makers and they certainly don’t exist on this planet for Donald Drumpf’s enjoyment. Women are exactly as human as every male and entitled to every consideration, privilege, and freedom as men. I’m not going to tell anyone to prop women up on pedestals (which, by the way, just creates unrealistic ideals for women that cause stress) but you should at least treat them like more than a goddamn pussy!
Men Are Pigs
Locker Room Talk. Locker room talk? In what fucking locker room are you hanging out? I’ve lived 41 years on this planet and I’ve never heard bullshit like what’s on your tape come out of anyone’s mouth – and I’ve been around some pretty scummy dudes before. Of course, I don’t hang out with rich, white, entitled fucktards so I guess maybe I can’t really claim to have a representative sample. The thing is, I don’t want to hang out with you or any of your friends if that’s the way you douchebags talk about women. I don’t talk like that. My friends don’t talk like that. But there are certainly some people out there who seem to think it’s no big deal. Rudy Giuliani and Pat Robertson certainly seem to think it isn’t. But, oh, if I ever wanted the endorsement of two clinically insane acolytes I guess that would be my dream team.
Even people on Facebook aren’t backing down from supporting Drumpf or admitting that, yeah, maybe, just possibly he shouldn’t have said those things. Why? Because “all guys talk like that.”
No. We. Fucking. Don’t.
Take the following conversation, for example. A rabid, ignorant, chest-thumping Drumpf supporter trying to wave away the wrong while avoiding any real focus on the issue at all:
I’d like to point out that this moron’s Facebook photo is a picture of him and his female significant other. One has to wonder how she’s treated if this is how he approaches a conversation about how denigrating women is not only not normal but flat-out wrong. It boggles the mind.
This Isn’t Just One Thing
As many people have pointed out – including Hillary Clinton during the second debate – this isn’t just a one-shot “let’s try to catch Drumpf in something naughty” incident. This is indicative of Drumpf’s entire person. This is who he is – much like Facebook idiot above. We have to condemn this kind of talk because it belies an underpinning belief and beliefs drive behavior. Why would I ever believe that someone who would talk about women this way wouldn’t actually treat women this way in reality? What has Donald Drumpf ever done or said that would make you think otherwise?
Given Drumpf’s neverending adoration of the “great” Antonin Scalia it’s very likely that Republicans will push to overturn Roe v. Wade and end women’s ability to make decision on their reproductive rights, health, and bodily integrity, which is just another indication that Drumpf (and most Republicans) hate women. 51% of the goddamned electorate is women! How can someone so callous and dangerous get to the position Drumpf is in?
If you’re reading this, please share and repost. We have to do something about Drumpf and we have to do it now. This person simply cannot be trusted to run this country.
