Dear Mr. Trump,
I watched the second presidential debate this past Sunday as you sparred against Secretary Clinton. I witnessed your nervous pacing, your anger and your attempt to formulate policy out of thin air.
So, what did you accomplish?
In the single most talked about issue of this presidential race on Facebook, the United States waited anxiously to hear your response to your 2005 comments about sexually assaulting women. I know you don’t agree with me here, but for the sake of argument, let’s call it what it is. It is sexual assault.
In case you missed it, Mr. Trump, it’s 2016. That is 22 years after former President Bill Clinton finally signed the Violence Against Women Act into law. For most of us students here at Elon University, that is an entire lifetime — or more — that our government has been fighting to ensure safety against domestic and sexual violence for all citizens.
And yet here we are. A candidate for president of the United States — one of the most powerful positions in the entire world —can talk about sexually assaulting women and then dismiss it as “locker room banter.” You can say that it was “just words.”
Well I’ve got a few words for you, Mr. Trump.
As an aspiring presidential speechwriter, words are my life. I actually believe in the power of words to inspire and create, innovate and imagine a brand new world. I actually believe in the power of words to both tear communities apart and bring them together, to make them whole again. I actually believe in the power of words to empower.
Take a look around you. Our whole world arguably revolves around words. As students at Elon University, we study and read about theories and history, we watch breaking news stories to understand our politics, and when we finally get two seconds to relax, we sit back in front of Netflix to immerse ourselves in — you guessed it — a story.
For you to say “When you’re a star, they let you do it,” or “I moved on her like a b*tch,” or “Grab them by the p***y, you can do anything” is simply beyond the pale. As a political science student, I’m outraged that this is the level of discourse our presidential campaigns are vomiting up. As an American, I’m embarrassed as I try to explain each new fiasco to my friends abroad. As a woman, I’m appalled, objectified and most of all, I feel unsafe.
What’s most ironic about this situation is that your greatest defense — used repeatedly — is your biggest downfall: “It’s just words.” Those vulgar comments are words, Mr. Trump. They not only represent your actions, but also reflect your beliefs. They expose the man you really are, divide our country and threaten women. You have told your story and imagined a sickening, dystopian United States.
But these words will empower us, as words have done since our first “We the People.” They are a wake-up call, and they are going to be your downfall, Mr. Trump. Because this time, our “locker room banter” will take place at the polls — where we’ll use our words to reject you and all you stand for when we vote.