By Elizabeth White
Wroxton Correspondent & Senior Reporter
(WROXTON, ENGLAND) – When I sat down to write this article I didn’t even know where to begin. I am speechless. I am disgusted. And I am completely done with Donald Trump.
I have never supported Donald Trump from the day he made the announcement to run for president. Each day that passes brings a new reason to dislike him.
Before I delve into the latest on Trump, I want to pose a question for everyone out there who still supports him, condones his actions, and even dismisses what he says as “just words:” how can any human being support a man who has outright and unapologetically offended more minorities and groups than I can even name? As a human being, how can one support a man who mocks people with disabilities, veterans, Muslims, Mexicans, women, etc.?
A behind the scenes Access Hollywood video obtained by The Washington Post from 2005 shows a conversation between Trump and Billy Bush, who was on Access Hollywood at the time, on a bus on their way to film a segment about Trump’s cameo on “Days of Our Lives.”
Although it is unclear who and when he is referencing, but he can be heard saying: “I did try and f— her. She was married.”
Then: “I moved on her like a b—h, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married,” Trump said. “Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything. She’s totally changed her look.”
Trump goes on to say: “I’ve got to use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her. You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait.”
And finally, the part that strikes me the most: “And when you’re a star, they let you do it,” Trump said. “You can do anything. Grab them by the p—y. You can do anything.”
Many people have offered reasons to justify Trump’s actions, none of which I agree with.
They argue that this was eleven years ago and that Trump shouldn’t be held accountable for something he did “so long ago.” The point was also raised that he’s changed since then.
A Facebook friend of mine shared an article titled “Why I am Still a Trump Supporter, Despite his Comments on Women” where the author, Keely Sharp, said that “However, he said that 11 years ago, and you would be void of all sanity if you could honestly say that things, and people, do not change over the years. Eleven years ago, Blackberries were our smartphones, alternative medicine seemed mythological, and Facebook was only limited to Harvard students. Where were you 11 years ago?”
My problem with this argument is that many of these same people who support Trump also defend and support their second amendment rights, which became part of our Constitution in 1791. That was 225 years ago, at a time when the United States had no military to protect them. The second amendment was created in order to help American citizens defend themselves because the country was unable to.
I think it’s safe to say that yes, things and people do change a lot over the years. So please tell me why it’s okay to say that Trump’s words from 11 years ago mean nothing and are irrelevant, but a document that was created in a time when people still believed the earth was flat is still completely relevant and applicable to Americans today? Just a thought.
Trump supporters and others also claim that this is just “locker room talk” and that all men talk this way with their pals.
First of all, if everyone jumped off a bridge, would you jump too? Just because “all men” do it doesn’t make it right or okay. And second of all, if this is how a lot of men talk, then it is safe to assume that we have taken a giant leap backwards as far as equality goes in America.
Trump’s previous comments about women already disgusted me prior to the release of this video, but now I am just sad, upset and above all afraid. I am afraid to walk alone at night, afraid to make eye contact with men I don’t know, and afraid of men getting angry if I do not respond to their catcalling.
Trump has brought to the light the very core of the problem: that it is okay to sexualize and objectify women. That it is okay for men to take advantage of them and do whatever they want.
I am very afraid for the future of our country, whether or not Trump becomes president, because men think it is okay to make women feel unsafe and worthless.
