Policies buried under genitalia

Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential nominee, speaking at the second President Debate on Sunday, October 9 2016.

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Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential nominee, speaking at the second President Debate on Sunday, October 9 2016.

This year’s presidential election questions the role of sex and gender in a way we have never before experienced. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are locked in a tight race for the White House, and should be viewed using the same guidelines and standards.

Unfortunately, sexism and misogyny have become a major part of this election, leaving the two candidates to be viewed quite differently.

This should be a landmark election, for the first time in our history we have nominated a woman to potentially hold the highest office in our country.

Clinton has been the first to break that glass ceiling but this all seems to be overlooked due to the rampant sexism that has taken over.

While most of the sexist remarks and treatment have come from Clinton’s opponent, Trump, he is not alone in his sexist views. Many of Clinton’s fellow politicians, news media and fellow citizens are being drawn into this misogynistic behavior.

There has been talk on news programs, interviews and in papers whether Clinton lacked the “looks” to be a President. Trump, until only recently, had not been viewed in the same way.

Bret Hume of Fox News stated after the first presidential debate that Clintons face was not “necessarily attractive.”

Noted journalist Bob Woodward said “She isn’t very likable, she seems shrill, she shouts?” This being said after Donald Trump has spent his whole campaign shouting.

She was being judged on gender roles and how she did not fit into the role of president.

Trump, on the other hand was being written up, in some articles, as being tough and strong.

According to journalist Daniel Bush for PBS News Hour, “An extensive body of research has shown that women who seek leadership positions often encounter resistance from both men and women if they violate gender norms by acting in stereotypically masculine ways, like being competitive, assertive and self-promotional.”

The first presidential debate brought this sexism to the forefront when mediator Lester Holt questioned Trump on a recent comment he made towards Clinton on whether she had the temperament to be president.

“She doesn’t have the look,” Trump said. “She doesn’t have the stamina. I said she doesn’t have the stamina. I don’t believe she does have the stamina.”

This misogynistic view of women is not new to Trump, who has a long history of viewing women along sexist lines. Especially after the release of a video showing Trump speaking of women in very degrading, vulgar, and sexual terms.

With millennials being such an important part of the voting block, it is hoped that many of these young college educated people will look at the best candidate based on intelligence, professionalism and experience, and not be pulled into a game of gender and sex bias that will surely set our country back fifty years.