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Rape Culture: The 2016 Presidential Campaign

Oct 10, 2016 — Categories: , ,

This is what Rape Culture looks like—Donald Trump’s “locker room” chat that was recorded and is now before us. I am not as offended by the lewdness of his comments as I am by his aggression and his assumption of entitlement to women...

Rape Culture: The 2016 Presidential Campaign

Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune

This is what Rape Culture looks like—Donald Trump’s “locker room” chat that was recorded and is now before us. I am not as offended by the lewdness of his comments as I am by his aggression and his assumption of entitlement to women:

“I’ve got to use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her,” Trump says. “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait.”
“And when you’re a star, they let you do it,” Trump says. “You can do anything.”
“Whatever you want,” says another voice, apparently Bush’s.
“Grab them by the p---y,” Trump says.“You can do anything.”

I doubt that Donald Trump has ever even contemplated the notion of consent in a sexual context. His perfunctory apology [“I apologize if anyone was offended.”] was followed by a formal one: “I said, I was wrong and I apologize.” Neither convey any comprehension of what he revealed: “Any one who knows me knows these word don’t reflect who I am.” Well, actually they do reflect who he is, and sadly, who a lot of men are. This audio tape just pulls back the cover on what some men do when no women are present. It isn’t surprising; it is disturbing.

I've been watching how men have responded. Some have perpetuated the “boys will be boys” excuse that just seems so old and tired. But some men have stepped up and been very clear that this kind of attitude and conduct is unacceptable. I commend them and I ask them, when they are in the room with men only and this kind of conversation ensues, interrupt it right there. Don’t just withdraw; man up and stop it.

I promised myself that I wouldn’t discuss politics in my blog during the election. But who would have guessed that this is where the campaign would go?

In the interest of being “fair and balanced,” I would point out that while Republicans are dealing with the revelations of Trump’s misconduct, Donna Brazile, head of the Democratic National Committee issued this statement in recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

“In millions of homes across the country, women, children and men are the victims of domestic violence each year. During the month of October, survivors of domestic violence and their families, friends and allies work together to raise awareness of the problem, and to end the cycle of violence. The Democratic Party and our presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, are proud to join them in that cause.

“Democrats passed the Violence Against Women Act twenty-two years ago – the first piece of federal legislation to seriously address domestic violence and sexual assault against women. Because of that law, fewer people have been victims of domestic violence, more victims are reporting domestic and sexual violence to law enforcement, and more women have access to the services and support they need to rebuild their lives after a crime. As a senator, Hillary Clinton co-sponsored the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. As first lady, she supported the creation of the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women. And as secretary of state, she rallied the international community to act to end violence against women.”

The contrast is stark.  Gender based violence is at the heart of this campaign.

Please vote.

Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune
www.FaithTrustInstitute.org
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rape culture

Posted by james Poling at Oct 11, 2016 12:50 PM
In the tape, Trump is demonstrating more than his predatory attitudes and behaviors toward all women. He is also mentoring younger men in predatory skills. Some people wonder why men have such negative attitudes toward women. In addition to TV, movies, advertising, religion, etc., there is direct mentoring of younger men by those who have a history of predatory behaviors. All men know this, even if we have tried to defect from patriarchal culture. Jim Poling

2017 Presidential Election

Posted by Susan at Oct 12, 2016 12:20 AM
I have voted in every election since I was old enough to vote. I am an Independent voter who does not vote not for a particular person or party. Unfortunately, I will be sitting out this election, because I can NOT vote for a misogynist who degrades women(Trump.) Even sadder,I can NOT vote for Hillary, a women who gives lip service for championing women, but yet is complicit with her husband's exploits of raping women, exposing himself to young women, and exploiting his power/presidency to ensnare a young intern, etc. Hillary called these women "bimboes", "narcisstic", and threatened them with what she referred to as her "bimbo squad." Perhaps even worse, Hillary defended a 40 yr.old man whom she knew was guilty of raping a 12 yr. old girl, and Hillary laughs about it! (You can "google" it as her mirth is on video.) Hillary besmirched and "victimized" this young girl in court by dragging this child's reputation through the mud. So, our choice is between a misogynist OR a women who victimizes her husband's sexual victims and even worse, laughs that she helped a known 40 yr. old rapist get away with it by trashing his 12 yr. old victim. God help us!

Presidential Election (s)

Posted by Agnes Butler at Nov 07, 2016 01:54 PM
Amen to your comment and Bless God for putting up with all of our rebellious ways and for paying forward our forgiveness of sin!

the Problem with Instant Forgiveness

Posted by James Poling at Oct 13, 2016 05:05 PM
Broken relationships with God, others, and self cannot be so easily mended. There is no shortcut to forgiveness.

This week a lot of people have extended instant forgiveness to Donald Trump: “As Christians we are called to forgive as we’ve been forgiven.” A brief apology is accepted as sufficient for the sin involved, forgiveness is offered, and everyone is encouraged to move on as if nothing happened.

But broken relationships with God, others, and self cannot be so easily mended. There is no shortcut to forgiveness.

I consider six steps necessary for Donald Trump to receive forgiveness.

1. Confession: a full disclosure of his words and actions that may have harmed women.
2. Repentance: a sincere commitment to turning his life around and going in a new direction. For most sinful patterns this means joining an accountability group. Such a group would walk with him as he examines the deeper needs and motives for past behaviors.
3. Sanctification: carefully developing new habits of thoughts and actions that are part of a “godly life.” For most of us, this requires submitting ourselves to mentors and communities that understand the patterns of sexual objectification and abuse that are part of the U.S. culture. It takes many years of practice to learn new ways of thinking about ourselves and others.
4. Restitution: finding symbolic ways of repairing the damage he has done to others. This includes sacrificing resources and energy on behalf of anyone who has been hurt. It can also mean dedicating himself to programs of justice.
5. Forgiveness: being welcomed into community to live a full life without undue burdens of shame and guilt.
6. Reconciliation: being accepted as a full member of the primary communities that make up his life.

Yes, it is possible for Donald Trump to be forgiven and reconciled within his various communities, but it is a long process. A very different process than the instant forgiveness Mike Pence and others would offer.

James N. Poling, Ph.D., has had extensive experience working with perpetrators of sexual abuse.

political perspective

Posted by Agnes Butler at Nov 07, 2016 01:54 PM
I do not in any way condone the comments of Donald Trump, but when faced with what he said as opposed to what the Clintons have done I must face reality. Would I rather my grandchildren (I once was a granddaughter of a foul mouth grandfather) hear words or have them think lying, money laundering, actual lewd sexual conduct as publized by past president Clinton, aborting babies, and standing in front of the Nation via TV as Donna Brazille did and tell lies, and the list goes on of the Democratic corruption. I pray that whoever is elected will be one that God can and will use to guide our nation in the right direction. A very upsetting point I am struggling with is the recent release of information the the mother of Michele Obama will be drawing a life time of unbelieveable money and health care.... My husband (local Methodist pastor)and I were raising 3 three grandchildren when he died I still have a 14 year old with no help except Medicaid for her. I also have to pay yearly income tax on my retirement income! May God have mercy and open the eyes of American people! Sorry to vent on you but I ran across your comment when trying to find information to help me present our UMW Thank message.

Rape Culture...2016 presidential election

Posted by Pastor Ron Henderson at Mar 22, 2018 12:53 PM
Well, well, I wonder where the author of the above article is coming from? Is she a Democrat? This political posturing is saddening for The FaithTrust Institute. Arn't women (now boys and men) abused right across the board by men (and women) of all colours? The response showing the Clintons' actions should be sufficient. Just to add a tad more, have you heard of the Island in the Virgin Island group where underaged girls were Bill's and coleagure's (and perhaps wife, she visited there too)harem? The billionare owner of the island also spent time in jail for it. So let's remember that while we mention names let's do it in a fair and even fasion. How would you like your daughter raped and the rapist's spouse bails (defends successfully)the spouse out? And his party says that all they are concerned about is that the President can get the job done! While we with partiality off-load on presidential candidates let us remember that the women are still suffering under the candidates, pimps, and others including polititians and pastors too; and some suffer more and loose their lives for it under 'loved' candidate! What a travesty on women's issues! Healing and restoration apart (and which are integral to God's calling, it would be reassuring to all and sundry to see the perpetrators of minors do service for them. We can't play favourites here, as hard as that might be!