This blogpost recently showed up on my Facebook newsfeed:
Now, I generally do not participate in these kind of political discussions via social media; however, I read this article and felt moved to provide some feedback.
I believe this woman is quite misinformed on some of the basic policies and issues we have at stake during this election season. I also feel as if she is suffering from blatant privilege and is not aware of how that affects her and blindsides her from seeing others' potential experiences.
To begin, I am a white woman who is a survivor of sexual assault. I grew up poor with three siblings in a divorced family. I paid for my own college education and have worked hard to build up my life. I identify as a lesbian. I work with children who tend to be forgotten in the social services system. My experience is not the same as anyone else's, but I have learned that everyone has a story and those stories matter.
I made a point to provide credible resources in this discussion. My post is meant to be read as a critique alongside the article posted above.
A. I thoroughly appreciate the author explaining that rape culture is perpetuated in our society and that it is not okay. However, I feel as if she is trying to say Donald Trump's misogynistic comments and actions, which also glorify sexual assault, are similar to Hillary Clinton's experiences. He literally stated that you can control women by grabbing their genitals. This is power and control through sexual assault. There is no way around it. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton is the victim of infidelity by her husband. The author is blaming Mrs. Clinton for "covering up her husband's issues." This is like telling Clinton that if she would have been a more attentive wife, maybe he wouldn't have cheated. Blaming the victim, a routine response to blame women for men's mistakes. Mr. Clinton's promiscuous actions are his own, not Hillary's. Here is a link for a history lesson on how these types of issues occur in our society: http://fusion.net/story/355722/hillary-clinton-held-accountable-for-bill/
The Clinton's have been married for over 40 years to each other. No doubt there have been ups and downs. Theirs happened to be public because he was president. Not to mention, many presidents before him had mistresses and it was seen as "acceptable" back then. Trump has been married three times. He cheated on wife Ivana with Marla Maples, who he then got pregnant and they married after the baby was born. They divorced and he is married the third time to Melania Knauss.
Clinton's obligations as an attorney were to represent her client in court cases. Point Blank Period. If she were assigned a rapist, she would represent them whether she wanted to or not. Not to mention, I think all people have said or done ignorant things in their past that they have learned from. Myself included.
B. Race, Sex, and the Media- (This was literally the title of a class I took while in undergrad)
The media isn't "distracting us from real issues" while talking about racism and sexism. For many of us, those are REAL issues that are dealt with EVERY DAY. The author quotes, "The government is not the answer to these issues." Um, yes ma'am, they actually are. Women and people of color have systematically been disadvantaged in history and our country for a longgggg time. White men had the right to vote 144 years before white women. Tell me that it isn't a REAL ISSUE. Here is a more in-depth timeline for understanding the voting rights if you aren't a white male who owns land: http://www.kqed.org/assets/pdf/education/digitalmedia/us-voting-rights-timeline.pdf
"Movements of people coming together" are the bases for changing policies. Look how long it took for white women to get basic rights, not to mention how much longer it took women of color to obtain those very same rights. The media is responsible for uncovering the injustices that are happening every single day. Much of America lives in a white-washed, suburban world where there is little diversity or struggle. This is called PRIVILEGE. Don't forget that there are others out there that have much different experiences. Don't even get me started on how sexual orientation is also a very real issue that many times people forget about. Under Trump, I could only imagine what rights for LGBTQ individuals such as my self would be revoked.
C. National Security-
The author states that Clinton wants to "open our borders." Clinton is talking about being a safe-haven for refugees. We have an incredible amount of space in America that could be used to provide necessary care. Europe has much less space to take in these refugees.
The author states that we have been attacked by terrorists from other countries. Duh. White settlers in the 1700s also attacked Native American tribes and chose to settle down, eliminate them, and steal their land. Thank goodness for your terrorist ancestors otherwise we wouldn't have America! The author's logic is skewed. She is saying that we need to be worried that refugees fleeing the radical terrorist groups may be terrorists themselves. From my experience, refugees that I have met have ALSO been fleeing those radical terrorist groups. HENCE WHY THEY ARE CALLED REFUGEES. Dear Author, have you ever spoken to a refugee? If not, I suggest it. Because they have quite gruesome and heart-wrenching stories of suffering. I have kids who I work with who have seen their families and friends murdered in front of them. The young man I am working with, who was a Liberian refugee as a toddler, is turning 18 and entering the military to serve for our country. All we can do is provide a safe place for refugees to help them rebuild their tattered lives. Stop being selfish because they weren't "born here."
D. Gun Policy-
The author then inserts gun policy antics into the equation, saying that Clinton will take "guns out of the hands of Americans," leaving us "completely helpless." Read her political page people. https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/gun-violence-prevention/ She is for gun SAFETY, not taking away guns from citizens who are using them correctly. Gun regulation has to be a priority because of all the mass shootings that have been occurring. If you are using your gun correctly, then you should have no issues keeping your gun. "More of us will probably die because we won't be able to defend ourselves." What kind of area are you living in ma'am where criminals are knocking at your door on the regular? Maybe I am wrong, but how often does one actually have to defend themselves with a gun? Maybe from a rogue deer, but unless you're gang affiliated or maybe have someone really pissed off at you, I would say you're probably not going to use a gun as self-defense. And if it is on the regular, there is a bigger problem at hand.
E. Economic Stability
"If Trump becomes President, America will be his business." Isn't this exactly what government shouldn't be? America is not a business. America isn't just about "conducting trades and deals that will benefit the USA." Not to mention that there are many world leaders laughing in our faces that this man could actually be nominated president. Imagine him attempting to work with a female leader of a foreign country. If she doesn't say or do something he likes, will he just "grab her by the _______?" I think not. Here is a snippet of things that foreign leaders have stated about The Donald: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/05/06/47-not-very-positive-things-foreign-leaders-have-said-about-donald-trump/
The author states, as President, "America is your job, not the rest of the world." Hmmm, interesting. America is your job and it is part of the larger world. A significant part of the president's position would be dealing with foreign policy and representing America in world affairs.
People who are earning a significant amount (300,000 upwards to millions of dollars) would be paying more in taxes on Clinton's plan. The majority of people and families do not make that much to be "penalized" by the new Clinton tax plan. In 2015, the median household income was $52,516. http://www.census.gov/library/publications/2016/demo/p60-256.html. On the other side, Trump would be giving tax cuts to the wealthiest of people, which means less revenue for the US. Trump would have to cut the nation's budget, which means getting rid of things like military spending, social services, etc., or he would have to put us further into debt.
"You are taking more money out of the hands of American people and putting more money in the hands of the government." NEWS FLASH: Taxes pay for things we take for granted. Like libraries, nice roads, public services, military protection, etc. Without paying taxes, we wouldn't have nice things. It seems like many people want the nice things without having to pay for taxes..... It only makes sense that those who earn MILLIONS OF DOLLARS should be paying more in taxes so the bottom income groups of people are not shelling out their entire paychecks.
F. Supreme Court Justices-
"We need to keep Republicans in the Supreme Court who will uphold the Constitution." The Supreme Court Justices' duties are to uphold the constitution whether they be Republican or Democratic. It would be nice to know what kind of things she believes the democratic judges are voting on that would make America absolutely deplorable.....
G. Abortion-
Abortion is a minute topic to focus on. There is so much more to women's healthcare and the care of children that the term "abortion" doesn't cover. Clinton believes in women's healthcare and the right for a women to choose whether or not an abortion is the right choice for them. https://www.hillaryclinton.com/briefing/factsheets/2016/01/22/lifelong-record-roe-anniversary/
Abortion needs to be de-vilified as it is generally used as a last resort for a unwanted or dangerous pregnancies. I often like to discuss what "Pro-Life" actually means to others. I currently work with 300 children who are part of the foster care system and are desperately in need of homes. Plenty of people have advocated for unborn babies' lives and use it as a pillar of God's good grace. However, the moment I bring up the fact that there are THOUSANDS of children aged 5-18 in need of homes and families, people get suspiciously quiet. What I understand from this is that babies' lives matter to these people, but children's lives don't. Pro-Life means advocating for children at any age. We must not forget that. It would be more effective to put your efforts into mentoring or fostering those unwanted children who are already in the system than focusing on the unborn.
E. Voting-
Voting for someone other than "Trump or Hillary is as good as not voting at all." A bipartisan voting system is not for everyone. Hence, why independent parties are still present. If you don't feel as if either of these candidates represent your views, voting for an independent party is still your right.
I am passionate about politics and wish that more people would do their research on candidates' proposed policies rather than listening to skewed sources. I welcome any factual responses with resources or personal experiences that may help me understand why your opinions are your own.
