On June 25, Donald Trump was once again accused of sexual assault. This time, by an advice columnist based in New York named E. Jean Carroll. In responding to the allegations, Trump said this: "I'll say it with great respect: Number one, she's not my type. Number two, it never happened." Trump has used this approach of defending himself over a dozen times, using his victims’ appearances to make his case. In what way does saying a woman is “not his type” show any respect? Based on his past defending statements, including "She lies! Look at her, I don't think so," said in 2016 after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2005, and "Believe me — she would not be my first choice" after another woman claimed he groped her on an airplane in the 1980s, it feels safe to assume he is referring to Carroll’s appearance when he says she is “not my type.” His response is repugnant.
Donald Trump’s responses to these allegations are toxic to all people, but especially to the young. We cannot raise boys to believe that it is okay to touch someone without consent if they are attractive, no matter what the perpetrator’s privilege. No means no in all circumstances. Trump’s actions and defenses are toxic for young women because they contribute to the conflicting messages which lead to harmful body image. Young women are told to be pretty, to be desirable. They are conditioned to feel conscious of their body one hundred percent of the time because of the social pressures put on them by the media, by counterparts, and now added to that list, by reactions to sexual assault. At the same time young women are told to be pretty, they are told not to be too “slutty”––then they are looked down upon or they will be “asking for it.”
By using solely a woman’s appearance as an argument, as Trump has done, devalues women as human beings; it is ignoring their worth as people and saying their appearance is the only trait that matters in a situation where sexual assault is an issue. Rape does not come only from the looks of the victim.
We cannot stay quiet when the leader of the United States of America is, by example, teaching us these disgusting, hateful messages. We cannot allow ourselves to normalize these actions.
Donald Trump’s responses to these allegations are toxic to all people, but especially to the young. We cannot raise boys to believe that it is okay to touch someone without consent if they are attractive, no matter what the perpetrator’s privilege. No means no in all circumstances. Trump’s actions and defenses are toxic for young women because they contribute to the conflicting messages which lead to harmful body image. Young women are told to be pretty, to be desirable. They are conditioned to feel conscious of their body one hundred percent of the time because of the social pressures put on them by the media, by counterparts, and now added to that list, by reactions to sexual assault. At the same time young women are told to be pretty, they are told not to be too “slutty”––then they are looked down upon or they will be “asking for it.”
By using solely a woman’s appearance as an argument, as Trump has done, devalues women as human beings; it is ignoring their worth as people and saying their appearance is the only trait that matters in a situation where sexual assault is an issue. Rape does not come only from the looks of the victim.
We cannot stay quiet when the leader of the United States of America is, by example, teaching us these disgusting, hateful messages. We cannot allow ourselves to normalize these actions.
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