This is in no way to claim that only women are objectified, however, until women are paid equally, treated equally, respected equally, and are treated as human beings, I will stop complaining.
When walking down the streets of New York City whether to work, class, the grocery store, subway or just an aimless trek, there has not been a day where I have not been whistled at, shouted at, winked at, blown a kiss, and sometimes even touched on the subway. One cannot even begin to explain the discomfort of feeling stuck in your own body as men parade the streets and subways without a care in the world of how worthless they might make you feel. Most recently, I was standing on the subway waiting to get off to visit my dad as his office. The subway car was rather quiet, and not particularly busy. As we approached stop after stop, I couldn’t help but notice a man starring at me the entire ride. Uncomfortable, I tried to brush it off. However, what further ensued I could no longer ignore:
“Excuse me, Miss?” I quietly turned my head, thinking maybe someone is asking for directions or wasn’t even speaking to me.
“Yes?” Looking around to see who might have asked to get my attention.
“Miss, don’t complain about being disrespected when you wear tight pants like that and don’t expect me not to look.”
I was floored. Are you f***ing kidding me? First of all, sir, I hadn’t said two words to you, complained, nor even so much as even looked your way to possibly “offend” you. Suddenly, the already quiet subway car became silent. As if I didn’t hear him loud and clear, he repeats his exact statement. Everyone became uncomfortable, jaws dropped, fists clenched, yet no one said a word. My response after was in no way polite, and honestly, I could not care less. Do not tell me how to live my life, what to wear, nor comment on my body, appearance, or persona, uninvited. Do not call me miss, baby, pretty, honey, or whatever else your standard adjectives might be. I should not have to appropriate my dress because you cannot control your eyes, mouth, hormones, or decency to be a human being with respect, whether for women or men. The rest of the day I was agitated by my earlier incident and couldn't quite shake it off. It wasn’t until that night that the latest Trump Tapes had taken the media by storm — his claims and ability to, “grab them (women) by their p***y,” due to his status as a “star.”
This was truly the icing on the cake after todays' series of events.
None of his comments came as a surprise. Quite honestly, I am not quite sure as to why America has suddenly taken such offense to his recent quotes - quite possibly because instead of just attacking minorities, it hit close to home attacking white women, but that is an entirely different but important issue altogether - which should not be overlooked. His previous comments about women are actually no different, less idiotic, appalling, uneducated and just downright unnecessary, as our latest findings.
Suddenly, it hit me — Trump is the man that catcalls on the subway.
Why shouldn’t he be? With the extreme media coverage of his recent statements, which condone sexual assault, why would men, or boys growing up, think it’s not okay to speak to a woman like that? The men who catcall are no different than Donald Trump, just as Trump is no different than those men — Wake up, America. Please. I am tired of having to converse with someone, who’s opinions I respect, that Hillary is the "lesser of two evils." When a man condones sexual assault or speaks so crudely about half of the American population, I’m sorry, but you are unfit to be President, regardless of your political party.
This conversation is beyond political parties, policies, personalities, past involvement, emails, or whatever else one might argue. This is about the person who will represent America, American culture, American values, American people, and so much more. I do not want the man who catcalls on the subway to be our representation around the world. I do not want the man who catcalls to make decisions regarding my future. I do not want the man who catcalls to make decisions regarding anyone’s body. Most importantly, I do not want to see young boys and girls raised in a society where the gender gap becomes even further. Bottomline, Trumper's and Trumpettes, women should be paid equal, she doesn’t just have her job because she’s attractive, no you cannot just touch her, she’s allowed to do what she wants with her body, being a person of authority doesn’t make her a bitch, and yes, she deserves the same amount of respect. Women, and men have fought far too long for equality, to suddenly be set back even further by one single, ignorant man.
Our society is not meant be a patriarchy.
This argument can no longer be, “she’s someone’s daughter, sister, mother, and friend.” No, she’s just a human being, an American — that counts just as much. The man who catcalled me probably viewed me as a major bitch after I stuck up for myself, and naturally, why wouldn’t he? We’re taught through media, movies, television, theater, you name it, that a woman in power is probably just a bitch. This has a major effect as to why Hillary just doesn’t seem too likable to most people. However, this fellow “bitch” in this case, is fed up, tired of the bullshit, tired of the Trumps walking the streets, and scared for what America might just be, and what our future holds within it.
Most of you probably already knew, even before this, that I am a huge Hillary supporter. I couldn’t be prouder to support her and her campaign, and I cannot wait to see her in the White House. We all know she is not perfect — she’s shady, has lied, and has been a part of incidents in which she shouldn't have — however, so has every other Presidential candidate, government official, and actual President. This is the basis of our system, and it’s how we get shit done. However, my Hillary bias aside, a vote for your basic American right and fellow American’s is so much more important than your particular political party. You are only doing a disservice to yourself, and fellow American’s, if otherwise.
I can’t tell anyone who to vote for or how they should feel, but it baffles, and disappoints, that in 2016, we still need to have this conversation.
A vote for Trump is a vote for all of the men who catcall.
