Why It’s Possible Women May Advance Like Never Before Under a Trump Administration

 

NOTE: What follows was originally written in the run-up to Inauguration Day and prior to the Women’s Marches.  The sheer numbers of men, women, children, queer, transgender that participated — worldwide — spoke for themselves. What we didn’t know at the time was how this galvanizing moment ultimately set the stage for an even bigger, more profound movement that is taking shape in real time. The impetus behind the marches — the fight for survival — is now magnified to global scale and hopefully will translate into a similar, powerful and peaceful cooperation. 

x
The difference now, though, is that what was originally about survival is now also about character and conviction. Women led the way with a strong voice and strong numbers. Now it’s up to everyone, including Republicans and Republican lawmakers to raise their voices, be counted and resist. If we don’t, we’re complicit and ‘Never Again’ will be robbed of its passion and meaning. 

x
Since Election Day,  I (like so many other women) have been living in a state of almost paralyzing denial, fear and dread, despairing that — with the stroke of a pen —  so much that’s been hard-fought-for and won will be obliterated.

x
But on Inauguration Day, the anticipation stopped, the new world order was ushered in and we all became players in a four-year reality media event writ large. January 20, 2017 changed the surreal to the real and we had a choice to make. We could keep wringing our hands or we can recognize the moment for what it is: a true inflection point in the struggle for gender parity.

x
Why?  Because this is no longer a matter of self-actualization, recognition or advancement. Nope, this exists way lower on Maslow’s scale— this is now a matter of survival.

x
On January 21st, many hundreds of thousands congregated in Washington, DC for the Women’s March on our nation’s capital.  I  participated in a parallel event in New York City (along with many other women in multiple other cities), marching with family, friends and colleagues in full support of equality and  civil rights for every human being,  something many — men and women — believe are already in serious jeopardy under a Trump administration.

x
While some may see a peaceful march, a women’s march, as innocuous, I see it as  galvanizing.  When survival is at stake, women have a way of rallying, of cooperating, of bonding to create unshakable resolve and power, to find common purpose, to move mountains and to win battles without bloodshed.

x
We have so much more power than we think we do and if DJT awakens this truly primal understanding in us then he will ironically have done more to advance the cause of gender parity than all the government initiatives, sponsors, mentors, paternalistic do-gooders, fairy godmothers/fathers…combined.

x
Now, we know it’s truly up to us:  with a Trump administration, women fear that rather than pushing for more, we will have to fight just not to lose ground.

x
And, aside from the very real threat to the civil and human rights of women, we also have to worry about the gains we’ve made in the professional sphere.

x
Despite tons of research advocating otherwise, American business (and academia, sports, tech, etc) is still hugely male-dominated.  There’s been some movement but, even with more than a decade of pro-women’s initiatives, countless books, talks and national media attention on leaders in the women’s space… the halting rate of progress has stalled. The number of women at the top – across industries — remains at a stubborn 17%.  Losing ground from the paltry 17% is simply unacceptable.

x

The silver lining here is that this new administration is effectively inciting women and minorities in a way that a “friendly” administration could not, much in the same way President Obama’s attempts at gun control mobilized gun enthusiasts and increased gun sales by $8 billion during his Presidency.

Did Obama intend to create what the gun shops referred to as the “Barack Boom?”  Of course not.  But,  as documented in publications such as the New York Times (“What Happens After Calls for New Gun Restrictions? Sales Go Up’” 6.13.16),  each time he spoke out against gun violence and called for more reasonable gun control laws, gun sales increased. This response was so dependable, many gun shop owners referred to the President as their number one salesman.

x
In the same way, every anti-woman tweet or video or intrusive, diminishing or retrogressive policy coming out of a Trump government will only deepen the resolve of all women, as our very survival is threatened. At this point, it’s not academic.  We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore. Again, we have more power than we think we do and it’s time to just friggin’ take it.  Enough’s enough. Let’s do this thing.