Women Grab America Back
Contrary to beliefs, women’s activism is at a surprising high under our saviour Donald Trump as women exercise their newfound entitlement to speak out before policies are made which suppress their rights once again.
The statement, “All men are created equal” has been a democratic belief that our nation has prided itself on since it was written in the Declaration of Independence in 1776. With this phrase, we separated ourselves from the mother country in a hope to bring about freedom and natural rights for the people of our great country. Technically, we’ve been living a lie since 1776.
We are taught that all men are created equal, yet we have had to fight for equality with a Civil War, a Civil Rights Movement, and again with the Women’s Suffrage Movement. There is quite the irony behind the statement “all men are created equal” because here we are again, in the 21st century fighting for the equality with the Women’s March. These monumental uprisings have been necessary in the fight for “natural rights” that were being withheld from citizens of all races and creeds for many generations.
After the Women’s Suffrage Movement, which took reformers and activists nearly 100 years to win the legal right for women to vote in the US. It’s surprising that this nation has not made more progress. Yet, despite this triumph by women nationwide, their rights were still held from them. This can be seen as legislation was still needed such as the “passage of the Equal Rights Amendment by Congress in 1972” which prohibited discrimination of sex in any federally-funded education program. [The Amendment] demonstrated the passion and commitment of supporters of women’s rights and highlighted the lingering inequality of men and women under the Constitution.” And while progress has been made for women throughout the country, women today find themselves still fighting for equality. A current day challenge for women is the fight for equal pay in the workplace and equal representation in government and the boardroom. As protests are becoming popular and it is becoming clear that gender inequality is still pervalent in society.
We, the people, have been fed a lie by those in a position of power: men. Those who make their livelihood on the order and peace of the nation, and it’s those people who have suppressed women’s rights for a long time. Women have been told that they are all equal by a patriarchy and then taken advantage of, as if to be patted on the head and pushed out of the way.
However, now there seems to be a change in a momentum for women’s rights resulting in more awareness for the cause all due to the 45th US President, Donald Trump, -who truly has brought attention to the matter in a way never done before- which is getting the observation of citizens nationwide. Through Trump’s confounding remarks made throughout his campaign and presidency there is a new attention on women. And now it’s the reactions of the people that are bringing change in a positive direction.
Within 24 hours of Trump’s inauguration, there was a march on Washington protesting his policies which could result in a big setback for Women’s health and rights. Those who took to the streets were “insulted and threatened women, immigrants, those with diverse religious faiths” all who believe that their security was in jeopardy with Trump’s new policies as president.The march occurred throughout the US as women around the nation stood up in arms. For those unable to join the 470,000 people in Washington, there were more than 600 solidarity marches being held in 60 other countries.
Prior to the election of Trump and throughout his campaign accusations were made against him of sexual harassment and/or sexual misconduct as women began coming forward and telling their stories. Trump has been accused from a number of women, Samantha Holvey, the former Miss North Carolina of 2006 is one who spoke out against the president and has accused him of “inspecting beauty pageant contestants”. Holvey’s [as well as any women who step forward] bravery was shot down with remarks calling her accusations “fake news” and portraying her as a liar. During his 2016 campaign, eleven women came forward accusing Trump of sexual misconduct, and our President, responded with “All I can say is it’s totally fake news. It’s just fake. It’s fake. It’s made up stuff, and it’s disgraceful, what happens, but that happens in the- that happens in the world of politics” (WashingtonPost). It was ignorant remarks like this which push the issue of sexual harassment to the side seemily giving it no attention or time. This becomes ironic as it’s Trump’s remarks had an opposite effect and captured the attention of the country as citizens began to band together as a force against Trump and overall the wealthy, white businessman throughout the nation which he represents.
Not only are women’s rights being violated but so are their bodies, with reference to the outbreak of citizens responding to sexual harassment after years of hiding and avoiding the issue. It seemed as it started with a single person, actress Alyssa Milano, a brave actress who was the first to take to social media to spread awareness through #MeToo as she asked victims to share their stories or simply admit to being a survivor of sexual assault or harassment. 24 hours following this hashtag there were over 12 million comments, posts, or reactions to the facebook campaign.
Following #MeToo is Hollywood’s #TimesUp movement. Time’s Up was founded by 300 influential women in the entertainment industry as they promised to “shake up decades of sexual harassment.” The Time’s Up organization has not only raised over $13 million dollars to date to help women across the world report harassment cases, but they also have the goal to create legislation to combat sexual misconduct to ensure women of color and LGBTQ are represented equally. “A single tweet on a Sunday night started what turned out to be a monumental week in women’s fight for safety and respect in the workplace” (Claire Zillman).
After decades of secrets being bottled up this ‘sexual harassment outbreak’ is at the forefront of daily news. For this particular situation, it was the build up of Harvey Weinstein cases, a famous Hollywood director, the number of victims affected by Larry Nassar a former USA national gymnastics team doctor and physician at MSU, and those violated by Matt Lauer, a well-respected News Anchor, just to name a few; and yet all of these cases came spilling out with the election of Donald Trump.
It is the presistance of the people that leads to the most change in the world as it forces those with the literal power to represent the wants of the people. When the people feel like they aren’t being represented and are feeling a lack of power, they take to the streets.
Currently, protests are erupting throughout the country and seeming to be at an all time high, dealing with issues ranging from gun control and climate change, to sexual harassment and gender equality. Yet it’s reassuring as a US citizen to know that the president was the tipping point in a issue as pressing as women’s rights, and who is now bringing rightful change to the nation. It’s especially encouraging to know that he is aware of the people’s right to protest as Trump states that “Even if I don’t always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views.” Yet Trump will not take responsibility for the public protest and outrage that was being displayed throughout the nation, despite the fact that the protests are occuring against the “work” of his administration.
Women are now left fighting for their certain unalienable rights that were endowed by their creator because it seems that no figure in a place of power is bringing upon change to improve or solidify the rights of women. Whether this change is legal and includes legislation to have same pay wage, to combat sexual misconduct against women, allowing equal opportunity for both sexes in the workplace, the time is now to bring upon the change against those who have denied it.
We, the people must come together against the oppressors of the world and stand up for the natural rights that have been refused for far too long. Time’s Up and action must be taken to prevent future generations from becoming victims of living a lie. Though it can take years of fighting for what is right and many lives are sacrificed along the way. In time, change is possible and though we may not all agree we Trump’s administration and ideals we can find the silver lining that his presidency was the trigger to finally increase women’s rights.
