First, I want to say that although I do not agree with Trump’s ideals and agenda, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion about him and what he is about. This also means that just because I do not agree with him or his supporters, it doesn’t mean that I automatically agree with everything that Hillary claims, or that I agree with her at all. However, there is one issue that I feel the need to address.

For a moment, let’s put political agendas aside, because this is not a political issue. If you are a woman, and/or have women in your family (which is everyone), I am talking to you.

By now, we have all heard about the controversial “Locker Room Talk” scandal. Here are my issues with it, that everyone needs to at least hear, whether you back him up or don’t.

1. To those who say that Trump's "Locker Room" comments about women happened a long time ago, and that they no longer hold weight.

We as people, pardon others’ behaviors because we hold on to the possibility in the notion that “people change.” However, in this case, it does not appear to be true. Donald Trump has not only personally attacks against Alicia Machado, but also countless celebrities, reporters, and people in general. And the sad fact is that, unfortunately he did not only negatively impact women with words, but with actions, and those actions that have recently aired, not only affected the individual involved, but the nation. According to RAINN, “On average, there are 288,820 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States.” Those people who have been affected by rape and sexual assault are triggered, by actions like this, and imagining a president who not only talks about it, but is involved in those actions leaves little hope for justice.

2. To those who say that it is only "Locker Room" talk.

This becomes gravely problematic for a number of reasons. For as long as I can remember, I have heard phrases like "boys will be boys," or "he's just a boy." THIS is not different than the term "Locker Room" talk. This essentially insinuates that boys will do what they do out of nature, and that it should be accepted and expected. However, this also means that it lets boys and men, think that it is okay to do it. Having a candidate running for president participating in this kind of behavior, only perpetuates it further. It is essentially teaching males, that if the potential president of the United States is doing it, then it must be okay, or not that bad. Here is where I need you to understand that if you have women in your family; daughters, mothers, sisters, etc, I would hope that if you heard someone talking sexually about them, you would be disgusted. This is no different. Those things were said and done, and if we do not actively try to stop it, we are responsible for its continuation. This problem is not one of politics, this is a problem with our culture today. When we let those who engage in these behaviors, get away, we are only widening the space for it to continue. The extent to which it has grown, can be seen when even the potential president, is doing it and getting away with it with no consequences.

3. For those who think there are bigger things to worry about.

There aren't. You may agree with him because of your belief that he will make "America Great Again." You think that by putting up a wall, he will keep out "illegal aliens," and will bring back jobs and just do great things for the economy.That a nation ran by a man, will have a better outcome. but at what price? at the expense of your sisters, mothers, daughters, having to pay the price of their sexualized bodies? I have said it before, and I will say it again, if we do not put a stop to this now, it will only make it harder to stop in the future. This IS a pressing problem, and it NEEDS to be talked about, not ignored. Yes this nation can use some tidying up, but those issues should NOT be prioritized when choosing a presidential candidate who actively continues to belittle, berate, and crush the self-esteem of so many women.

This is not me being a "femi-nazi," or liberal. This is not me being a Democrat, or an uninformed citizen. This is not me being biased. This is me caring about the future of our children. About my sisters. About everyone who has been affected by sexual assault and those who are too scared to speak up about it. This is not me trying to tell you who to vote for, but me telling you to rethink your own morals.

It does not matter if you think that voting for Trump does not mean you are a racist, or sexist, or that you discriminate and sexually exploit women. What matters is that even those you may not be any of those things, you are still actively CHOOSING to accept him, and accepting him is accepting his flaws. And although that may seem romantic in relationships, this is nothing close to that. Even if you agree with one thing on his political agenda, that does not take away from the negative things he says and does.

I am not talking politics, I am talking about humanity, and what we want our future to look like. Do we really want to care more about our economy, than the way the women in our families are treated?

Ask yourself that. If your answer is yes, then I really hope that you and your family never have to experience the horrors that that happen to women in, "Locker Room Talks."