The fascinating aspect of hypocrisy is that most people do not realize when they are being hypocrites. When someone advocates for other’s right but then go against their own morals because they do not like that person—that makes someone a hypocrite.
The Trump family is not everyone’s favorite here at Simmons. Trump’s words spew hatred that students at Simmons naturally find offensive. He encourages racism, sexism, and islamophobia to name a few. However, since election night, Melania Trump has been criticized more now that she is going to be the next first lady.
Following in the footsteps of Michelle Obama is no easy task. As first lady, Michelle has advocated for American healthcare supported women’s rights, and promoted educational initiatives. She has an air of composure, kindness, and spoke eloquently about issues that affected the nation. Many people also discuss how beautiful she is and how stylishly she dresses.
The problem is that when Melania became the future first lady, people suddenly began to judge her not for her political standings but for her past. Melania posed nude in various photo shoots and has been on the cover of various magazines, including a French men’s monthly magazine and the NY Post. Throughout the campaign there were references to her body: for instance a headline that read: the “Ogle Office.”
Melania is now the focus of a lot of slut shaming; she is being condemned for engaging/appearing to engage in promiscuous behavior. People discredit her because of the photos she took, the way she dresses, and her allowance for her husband to treat her as a trophy wife. That is no basis to claim that she will not be a fit first lady.
There are other reasons she may not be a good first lady. One example, is the fact that she wants to stop cyber-bullying yet her husband is the definition of a virtual bully (and is one in real life too). To her credit, Melania has announced that she does not approve of his online presence and tries to teach him the repercussions of his actions. She also does not have political experience which will be a problem when she meets with other political leaders.
Even here at Simmons, students have made comments about her stating that she will be the only first lady who will have posed nude in published photos. They say this in derogatory and judgmental tones. They compare Michelle’s graceful presence and compare her to Melania’s because that is what we need—two women being evaluated to each other on their looks.
Simmons is a community where we are supposed to stand up against these misogynistic viewpoints. We are supposed to call out behaviors that objectify women and state the reasons why people should not tell women how they can or cannot use their bodies. We are meant to promote body autonomy. Yet here we are, participating in slut shaming because Melania is not “on our side.”
It should not matter if someone is a Republican, practices a different religion, is a Gemini, chaotic good, or is in Slytherin: if they are being mistreated you advocate for them. We cannot allow exceptions to our morals because nothing will improve. If you think slut shaming is wrong you cannot go and slut shame Melania. That would make you a hypocrite.
Do not be a hypocrite. If you are pro-women’s rights, be pro for all women. If you think women should not be judged for being promiscuous, then do not laugh when your friends say Melania is not appropriate for the White House because of her photos. We cannot let sides divide our morals. Wrong is wrong, no matter who the target is.
