Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election is a setback for liberal America, a country that has a glorious history of fighting for equality and inclusivity and gender rights and respect, writes NEHA PATHAK
I was born in America. At least now aggrieved, frustrated young Indians won’t give me unsolicited advice, repeatedly suggesting I relinquish my Indian citizenship for an American one. Thank you, President-elect Donald Trump. That is the only existing silver lining that I can see, though of course the Renaissance rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the Dark Ages, so there’s a huge chance of great art, unity across peoples; and maybe a revolution and an impeachment could happen. I am actually banking on the impeachment bit; it’s highly likely, knowing Donald J Trump.
As an Indian, why do I care so much about the result of the US electionIJ It’s because of neo-colonialism and the superpower status of America; that she is everywhere and I can’t escape it, I mean, even Buzzfeed and Instagram kept me unwittingly up to date with the American election. To be honest, I have little to no knowledge (depending on who asks) of what will happen to the India-US relationship. And frankly, till any of the proverbial balls drop, I wouldn’t know. Except, of course, that currently all American Indians and other minorities are in shock and are genuinely worried about their status and how afraid they are because of what they look like.
What I do care about is how America failed her women and how feminism has taken a direct unequivocal hit, and a rude reality check. But then again, millions of white women and perhaps an insignificant amount of minority women, also voted for Trump. What can I say, except feel intense exasperation and frankly a bucket load of cluelessnessIJ It’s no doubt easy for white women to manoeuvre their way around patriarchy, but patriarchy is still the foundation for a major chunk of society.
Were they tired of a secular, liberal black President for eight yearsIJ Is that possibleIJ Did they yearn for somebody so incompetent, who didn’t have a formal agenda — a bully, a misogynist, a racistIJ Where does the morality compass point nowIJ Perhaps it is busy teaching young impressionable boys that it is completely alright to go out and “grab a pussy” sans consent, or even that it is fine if you don’t pay your taxes or if you blame China for spreading the global warming ‘rumour’. It is a wide range, all terrible but certainly something for everyone to choose from. How many kids hope to become PresidentIJ I have seen enough American sitcoms to know many do. But that dream now won’t stop them from being a white supremacist or a bully or a racist.
Why did the supposed clear winner, Hillary Clinton, loseIJ She had a huge backing. All of Hollywood, I mean those significant and vocal about the elections hashtagged ‘imwither’, presumably all of them voted for Clinton. Many of them from the ‘Most Influential list’— I guess it affirms what we all had been thinking: It’s a stupid list.
Did she lose because of her agendaIJ Did she lose because she didn’t make preposterous statements concerning women and people of the minority communitiesIJ Did that seem like she wouldn’t have the strength to tackle terrorist groupsIJ She did seem over-eager for the position, which is so off-putting on women, obviously. Was her blatant ambition, and great education, clear focus and intelligence, that would have been better appreciated in a man, her downfallIJ Or was it the infamous emailsIJ
But surely, Donald Trump had worse things in his small orange hands. There wasn’t a one-off incident, but there was consistency, unlike his agenda, in how he treated and perceived women.
Hillary Clinton failed because Americans are way more unforgiving of a woman than they are of a man. Generally, that is.
Hillary Clinton failed because women are supposed to be perfectly docile and blameless or vixens to be taken into account. No other persona is acceptable by even the ‘liberal’ Americans.
Clinton failed because she is a woman and Donald Trump is a man.
America, for better or for worse, has been the reference point for Indians when talking of secularism, liberalism, and equality. For the orthodox and narrow-minded, it represented all evil, but for many it was a symbol of how and in which direction should all of us be moving.
From legalisation of gay marriage to even shows like Orange is the New Black with an all-women diverse cast, including transgender women, things were looking up. We were becoming more accepting of things like abortions and the lGBT community. We have lost our focal point, our North Star.
And I am worried.
(The views expressed here are that of the writer’s. The Pioneer does not necessarily subscribe to them)