When I read Donald Trump’s public post about his stance on women’s rights, I couldn’t help but feel both shocked and disgusted. The man who once called women “dogs,” “fat,” and a host of other insulting terms now seems to be trying to make amends for his behavior. But is it really too little, too late?
I’m not one to mince words or shy away from controversy. As a woman from the suburbs, I’ve witnessed firsthand the insidious ways in which patriarchy and misogyny still seep into our everyday lives. Whether it’s the catcalls when you walk down the street or the constant pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, women are subjected to a daily barrage of opprobrium and oppression.
And then there’s the politics. The assault on women’s reproductive rights, the excuses for men who harass or violate women, the refusal to address the systemic issues that keep women from achieving true equality. All these things show me that, as a society, we have a long, long way to go before we can truly say that we respect and value women as much as we do men.
So when I saw that Donald Trump was trying to claim the mantle of feminism, I knew that I had to respond. And respond, I will.
My body is mine, and mine alone. I have the right to make choices about it, and to live my life without interference from the state or from men who think they have a say in what I do with my own body. That’s what women’s rights are all about – the right to live as we choose, without the constant fear of judgment, oppression, or violence.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t just about women. When we fight for women’s rights, we’re fighting for the freedom of all people. We’re standing up against systems that seek to control and oppress, and demanding that everyone be treated with dignity and respect. That’s what true liberty and freedom look like.
So, Mr. Trump, if you’re truly serious about standing with women, then I suggest you start by listening to us. Hear our voices, and our stories. Understand our experiences, and our struggles. And then, maybe, just maybe, we can start to talk about how to move forward together. But until then, your words ring hollow to me. For me, the choice is clear: I am a woman, hear me roar! I am power, I am raw, and I will not be silenced.