The USA appears to be undergoing a transformation as a flood of accusations of sexual harassment against America’s beloved stars of Hollywood, trusted sources of news and commentary, and even those the country’s citizens elected into the hallowed halls of government, rocks the nation.
Following the release of the New York Times’ article, “Louis C.K. Is Accuses by 5 Women of Sexual Misconduct” , TBS proceeded to announced it would suspend the production of Louis C.K.’s animated police show, The Cops, “until further review”
Variety’s report of a two month investigation into Matt Lauer’s history of harassing his female co-workers, described his inappropriate advances and comments toward female co-workers stating, ” the co-host of NBC’s “Today,” Matt Lauer once gave a colleague a sex toy as a present. It included an explicit note about how he wanted to use it on her, which left her mortified” among other allegations.
Not even the nation’s government remains untouched as Senators of Congress call for Senator Al Franken of Minesota’s resignation after a sixth women came forward to accuse the Senator of making inappropriate advances toward her, as of Wednesday December 6.
Amidst the political and emotional turmoil society has experienced in light of these revelations, we appear to have, if not ignored, turned a somewhat blind eye to a sexual predator holding one of the nation’s most powerful positions: President Donald Trump.
During an interview on the Howard Stern Show, President Trump described the benefits from business he experienced during beauty pageants stating, ““You know they’re standing there with no clothes. Is everybody OK? And you see these incredible looking women. And so I sort of get away with things like that.”
Mr. Trump stands accused of sexual harassment by numerous women- Mindy McGillivray, Natasha Stoynoff , etc.- as well.
The President has been subject to numerous allegations of sexual harassment, detailed and documented by the Washington Post here, yet successfully managed to secure the role of President of the United States of America. Though this fact has certainly been discussed and analyzed to the most epic of proportions, it is essential that we continue to do so. Especially now, at a time when women everywhere have gained the strength and support to come out in significant numbers and tell their stories. A time during which we are breaking down enormous barriers to gender equality bringing about a tremendous change in this nation.
This fight for women everywhere has the potential to bring about great change and improvement, yet it endures under the leadership of Mr. Trump- a man whose faces accusations of sexual harassment from many women.
Though it may seem moot to continue to ponder this fact, to deliberate and discuss it, change only happens when enough people come together and unite as one against wrongdoing.
I, for one, hear less and less of the President and his own history of sexual harassment during this ongoing stream of allegations against men in positions of power in politics, the median, etc. Though it may seem as though reviewing these same facts over and over again is to no avail, change will not occur unless they are reviewed, restated, and ingrained into the minds of people enough times and by enough people. As such, this is a request of America to look back at this Presidency, and this period of time which has the potential to engender so much positive change for women, and consider the fact that being President does not in any way justify sexual harassment.
