Why Trump’s Brand Of Locker Room Talk Is Not Ok

Let’s get clear on something. “Locker room talk” and grabbing women by any body part without their consent has never been ok. It wasn’t ok when we were in junior high and high school, even though it happened every day as adolescent girls walked down the hallways, while boys snapped their bras, made comments about their breast size, or tried touching them inappropriately. It’s not ok on college campuses, even though a wealthy student can get released from jail after serving a mere three months for rape. It’s not ok when men approach women on the street and tug at their arms or waists to get their attention. It’s not ok when anyone in a position of power uses that power to strong arm a woman, or any person of any gender, into acquiescing to sexual advances.

And, it’s not the fact that Trump has objectified women that’s shocking. It’s the language and palpable sense of entitlement he expressed when bro-ing out with Billy Bush that’s reprehensible.

And yeah, that’s show biz. And yeah, that’s politics. It still doesn’t make it ok. It wasn’t ok when Bill Clinton did it. It’s not ok that Trump flagrantly bragged about it. It’s never ok.

There is no denying that in the last decade the U.S. has become overly politically correct with regard to what’s deemed as acceptable vernacular, IMHO. But much of the disgust over the conversation between Trump and Bush doesn’t stem from political correctness. The women and men appalled by Trump are not suddenly put off by this kind of tired and lewd banality. We always have been. What’s different is that now we have the internet.

Men who abuse their power through displays of sexism haven’t suddenly become more sexist. They’re simply getting caught more in the act and thereafter. People aren’t becoming more sensitive. People are becoming more vocal. Women aren’t growing more offended. Women are becoming more unified.

Of all the old and recent footage showing Trump saying something degrading about an individual or group of people, this may not be the worst. Some think it is. One thing’s for sure, like this entire election, it’s showing us all how divided we are as a society. But in the same vein it’s an opportunity to embrace the fact that just because a certain kind of behavior has always been accepted that doesn’t mean you have to accept it any longer.

It’s 2016. The future is female.