Terese Marie Mailhot. Photo from Facebook
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump continues to face fire as more women come forward with disturbing accounts of sexual harassment and outright assault. Writer Terese Marie Mailhot (Seabird Island Band) calls on all men -- Native men included -- to spare everyone from sexist and misogynistic comments about women:
It’s almost upsetting that these men can move on from this, when Native women have to account for every transgression we make. We’re judged on our past, our potential futures, and the statistics we bear as reminders, that if we make it out okay, we’re an anomaly, and then we get to carry the burden of survivor’s guilt. Our lives are full and worthwhile, but not without their share of burdens. This Trump audio came just as I was in the midst of responding to a sexist podcast hosted by Gyasi Ross. In his show, “Breakdances With Wolves,” Ross posed hypotheticals, like, would his guest rub sun tan lotion on Hillary’s back to get an issue he cared about on the dais. They talked about her wrinkled back, possible Botox, and then closed the discussion on the note that one of them would “**** the dog out of her if it meant getting a topic on the debate. They move on to talking about a young actress who stood in solidarity with Native people in protest. One commented that the woman was too frail, and that she should thicken up. It would be one thing if I was just eavesdropping on two men being jocular at a lunch table, or at some party, but this is a man who considers himself a “young elder.” There have always been men who consider themselves activists, while simultaneously reinforcing a weird, compulsory heterosexuality and male power. And, frankly, Ross’s transgressions pale in comparison to Trump’s. I can guarantee at the end of the day these men will push forward. Ross issued a public apology and seems to be striving to create a more inclusive podcast, but I always wonder if people are chagrined and apologetic only because they got caught or called out? Can a person who sexualizes random women, politicians, and the like really be down for women? These apologies seem so mild compared to the sheer excitement these men display as they’re disrespecting women. Women don’t need to be placated to as much as they need real respect.Read More on the Story:
Terese Marie Mailhot: Grow Up, Donald and Little Billy (Indian Country Today 10/23)
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