Sex & American Politics
Dr Jagath Asoka
What is the number one issue in American politics? Is it Muslims, Mexicans, ISIS, taxes, building a wall, deleted emails, or sex? Yes, sex always trumps everything else when it comes to politics in this country. But, now, it is not just sex; it is sexual assault, not consensual sex that happens when each partner willingly chooses to participate.
I was stunned and literally had goosebumps when I heard for the first time on CNN what Trump had said about grabbing women’s vaginas with his octopus hands. Of course, Trump did not use the word vagina; I do not have to pussyfoot around because imagine for a moment, when you turn on TV, you keep hearing Trump’s words, “I moved on her like a bitch…, and when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything … Grab them by the pussy.” “Grab them by the pussy,” is not just offensive language, flippant conversation, or locker-room banter: it is sexual assault. Of course, the word “pussy” was not used as a double entendre. Now, every day, a new woman appears on TV and says, “Trump touched my vagina.” I think, I will be hearing this word “pussy” for a long time in American politics. It is the new “Watergate” and “Monica Lewinsky” in American politics.
During my life I have heard a lot of sex talk, guys bragging about their sexual achievements, but I have never heard someone bragging about sexual assault.
Well, I am glad that I have been having a very open and honest dialogue about sex, drugs, religion, and everything else that you can think of with my son—Rocco is a teenager now. Had I not done that I would be in a very awkward situation. I am somewhat blessed; I do not have to explain most of these lewd, lascivious sexual assaults on women and pernicious political rhetoric against immigrants, because my thirteen-year-old son is capable of differentiating what is good and bad, what is right and wrong, and what is moral and immoral. The saddest thing is that some adults have lost this innate ability to see what kids see as univocal.
The amazing thing about this election is that the kids are teaching adults about moral values and question their parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts who are supporting and defending Trump’s positions on women, immigrants, and physically or mentally handicapped hapless human beings. If you have been raised by a woman, you know one thing about women: They not only have to keep their heads high and move on when they are attacked, denigrated, assaulted, or raped but also often get blamed for their husbands’ sins. I guess this is what we see on TV every day.
When Bill Clinton’s sex scandals were bruited in the media, the Christian fundamentalists in this country crucified him, and he is still trying to resurrect himself; yes, Bill Clinton’s sex scandals follow him like his own shadow; actually, Bill’s sex scandals have become Hillary’s shadow. The same Christian fundamentalists who crucified Bill Clinton, now talk about forgiveness and redemption for Trump for sexually assaulting women. They even say that Trump is a born-again Christian. If this is true, I think Jesus would die again to be resurrected again. Most Christian fundamentalists have chosen to ignore sexual assaults, bullying, and racism that Trump has been displaying openly, and they talk about redemption and forgiveness; to those who say that we must forgive Trump, I would ask: Would you forgive Trump if he had grabbed your daughter’s, mother’s, wife’s, girlfriend’s, or sister’s vagina? I do not know about you, but I feel like saying, “Praise the Lord,” and sing hallelujah, because I truly do not know what else I can do. I am not talking about pious Christians who are compassionate and moral: I am talking about sanctimonious piety which is common in every religion.
