I am slightly confused by the amount of women that voted for Trump this past election. I have worked long and hard at being the evolved asshole I am today, and if someone were to tell me I could be a devoted misogynistic, P**** grabbing chauvinist and still be considered “presidential” then I am not sure I would have made the considerable effort to evolve as a man.
Of course I kid, but seriously what type of message are we sending to future generations about what is and isn’t acceptable behavior toward women. Boys to men interact with women primarily based on learned behavior. Immature, even brash behavior from youth usually has to be redirected to evolving standards of how women should and must be treated.
The fact that over 45 million Americans voted for a man who by his own words and actions repeatedly bullied and denigrated women is so disturbing on so many levels. I am not talking about isolated chauvinistic behavior, that unfortunately we can all generally find tolerable. I am talking about repeated fat shaming and bullying, and even when called on it, doubling down by referring to her as a pig. I am talking about boasts that celebrity and power allow him to do whatever he wants to women including grabbing them in private areas. I am talking about rhetoric, filmed for national television while running for the most powerful office in the world that showed little to no respect for women. I am talking about a man that is being accused (though the claims are presently unsubstantiated) by nearly a dozen women of sexual groping and assault.
Women are deserving of all the respect and considerations that historically were a long time coming. I feel like the acceptance of such language and sentiment has taken us many years backwards. I hope that I am wrong.
The office of the President of the United States has always been about much more than just policy. A person’s perceived fitness to hold office as well as the respect they garnered not only within the US but internationally have always been important factors in choosing who Americans want to be their head representative.
Many of us realize that politicians are full of it. They pander to their audience to try and garner votes and support. The term politically correct effectively comes from the pandering that takes place to not offend potential constituents. Trump was not a politician and I can understand that people were invigorated by a person who spoke his mind and appeared honest in his self-representation. However, when that honesty so clearly showed a man who minimally lacks respect for women, I am so confused by the amount of people, particularly women who could ignore such facts.
We have much to do as a nation to repair the potential damage from the historically divisive campaigns. The respect shown to women can in no way be compromised or diminished because of the confusing messages that have been made.
Men are simplistically stupid in nature, particularly regarding their interaction with women. We will do whatever we are allowed to do. We will push the envelope until societal norms and laws say that something is no longer legal or acceptable. Society as a whole has to make sure that we do not digress. We have to make sure that the election does not become some type of referendum that respect for women is no longer mandated.
I will choose to believe that this election was an anomaly. We must all ensure that is the case. Bad behavior from men cannot be tolerated, regardless of whether it has already been endorsed by the Commander In Chief.
