Dear Women,
The fact that millions of Americans are jazzed about Donald Trump as a candidate for President of the United States has hammered home for me just how far we have NOT come as a society. We are about to embark on a crucial political journey—one I believe will greatly influence women’s futures. Donald Trump has bashed women, Mexicans, fellow candidates and anyone who dares to disagree with him, hold him accountable or who won’t mindlessly give him a less-than-enthusiastic thumbs up. Univision anchor Jorge Ramos could not have said it better, “Donald Trump is the loudest voice of intolerance, hatred and division in the U.S.”
Do not be fooled by Trump’s dress. Don’t be enamored of his money, and don’t allow his arrogance to lead you to think that he’s a good leader, a great guy or, even worse, a potentially great president. His behaviors are narcissistic, his attitude is entitled and his words are toxic. Donald Trump represents patriarchy on steroids.
Donald Trump has shown himself to be unaccountable and defensive with anyone who dares to challenge him or dispute his offensive remarks. He showed the world what he does in these instances when he was offended that a female journalist, Megyn Kelly, had the audacity to ask him about the way he speaks about women. Trump, rather than addressing how derogatorily he speaks of women, turned the tables on Megyn Kelly by questioning her skills as a journalist. He even went so far as to later say, “she (Megyn Kelly) had blood coming out of her whatever.” Two weeks later, on Kelly’s return from vacation, he continued his attack on her and Tweeted, “@mstanish53: @realDonaldTrump @megynkelly The bimbo back in town. I hope not for long.”
Donald Trump is incredibly disrespectful in the way how he talks about women. He calls Megyn Kelly a bimbo, states Rosie O’Donnelle “is disgusting inside and out” and says his daughter is so attractive that if her weren’t her father he’d have to date her. Trump, blames Hillary Clinton for her husband’s affair and tweets “If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?” Not only does he avoid struggle with being accountable for his own actions, apparently he also struggles with holding any men accountable for their actions.
Presidential? Donald Trump is not. There are several women political leaders across the world with whom Trump would have to work and have difficult conversations. What happens when he is in a difficult conversation with a female leader who disagrees with him? Will he tell her she’s obviously bleeding from somewhere and can’t think straight? Will he attack her, as he does anyone in his life who agrees with him less than enthusiastically?
Countless people applaud Trump for speaking his mind. They find it refreshing that he doesn’t see the need to censor himself or care who he offends. If a Jr. High boy called a girl a bimbo on Twitter, we would call that cyber bullying, but somehow, when a presidential candidate does it, some of us applaud him. Men and women — don’t confuse Trump’s comments with his having the courage to speak his mind. He went on the attack against a female journalist because of his lack-of-courage inability to handle feedback. He attacked Megyn Kelly online and in the media because that’s what he does when he doesn’t like what people say. We, as a people, must learn to recognize the difference between courageously being authentic and cowardly bullying others into submission. This total lack of accountability and unfiltered spewing on others will not help our country.
When people show you who they are—PAY ATTENTION. Trump could not be showing us more clearly who he is. Pay attention and listen.
Regardless of your political beliefs, Donald Trump is anything but presidential.
Men like this are not good for women, women’s rights, women’s self-esteem, women’s lives, our country as a whole…or for other men. Don’t be fooled. See through the bravado, the clothes, the money and the connections.
I implore ALL women (and men) to RISE and make a powerful statement against Donald Trump for president. Putting him in the driver’s seat for our country will set all women and our country back more than a century. Be courageous and fight back against the crazy patriarchy this man so vehemently acts out on a daily basis. #WomenRaisingtheBar
Challenge: Women, use your voices and have your backs against the sexism and misogynistic views of Donald Trump. He is harmful to all women and most certainly would be to our world should he be given the power of the presidency. Do not give him that chance. #RaisetheBar