Book Analysis Essay on Nasty Women

Introduction

The book Nasty Women features a series of essays written by feminists, where they consider their experiences of the 2016 election and the immediate outcome. Although some of the articles may be difficult to read, it is clear that they all provide insight into specific issues that are not only impacting women but also the society at large. Through these reflections and the outcomes experienced today, the community is pushed to think critically about how social movements can be effectively organized to help in supporting a more just future.

A Critique of the Book Nasty Women

The collection of essays starts by transporting the reader back to the night of the election. Many may not be ready to reflect on this night due to the surprise and unexpected results. Many women were already prepared for Clinton's victory but were immediately overwhelmed by the disappointing results which stated that she had lost (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 13). The population experienced the same loss when their anticipation was not met with a victory as they had hoped. It makes no sense that women would still elect Donald Trump into office after his behavior and utterances during the campaign period.

The book describes Donald Trump as a racist misogynist who is already dealing with several sexual assault allegations. When compared to Hillary Clinton, the previous candidate did not seem to stand a chance owing to the various recordings that were leaked of him bragging about forcing himself on women. The fact that he also felt like his power and wealth justified the actions worsens the situation. Unfortunately, there are still some women who preferred having him in office compared to Hillary Clinton. The policies of Donald Trump were also absurd and inhumane. For example, he did not seem to agree with letting immigrants find safety in the United States of America. Their countries of origin were openly described as "shitholes" by this candidate. Such behavior was not shown by Hillary Clinton, which is why many had expected that she would be the winner of the 2016 election.

Some of the authors of these essays argue that even though Hillary Clinton was not the perfect candidate, she still had the ideal chance of winning if at all the voters would consider the risks of favoring Trump (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 13). The latter candidate posed a threat to the country's democracy and wellbeing of Americans and other human beings abroad. However, it seems that many voted against Clinton simply because she was a woman. The fact that many continuously had to justify their support shows that this could be the case (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 133). A significant critique of Clinton's campaign was that the candidate was not considering class equally and that she was fully consumed by identity factors (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 4-5).

This critique of Clinton and her campaign team seems to forget the fact that sexism was a preferably present factor in the election. Therefore, focusing on gender was an essential consideration as it showed the people what it is she intended to achieve once elected in office. Also, the critiques seem to forget that Trump also focused on identity factors when he focused on the white working class. Therefore, the argument that there was inequality in how identity politics was tolerated is substantial since the very same groups that criticized Clinton were the same who supported Trump (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 6-7). The white male is an identity, just as is the gender, sexual orientation, and race that Clinton supported. Also, focusing on how various groups are impacted by policies and actual experiences in the US and its culture are all necessary considerations during campaign periods. Therefore, it all narrows down to gendered perceptions, where many feel like a female leader will not be as effective as a male leader.

Most of the essays in the book Nasty Women also promote the need for self-care during political times. The emotional responses during the campaign period, on the election date, and the days and months afterward are all discussed (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 11). Most of these women describe how they felt emotionally destroyed after the election results were announced. One argues that she wept and became inconsolable (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 29). Another claims that she felt as if she got a blow from a blunt object and later felt shocked and numb (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 31, 33). Aside from personal feelings and effects, society also felt the blow. The reproductive health of women was now at risk, considering how the anti-choice politics were being promoted by Trump (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 77).

Trump's election is not only impacting the women living in the United States, but also those in other countries. For instance, the expansion of the gag-rule, which affects access to accurate information regarding reproductive health, impacts women's health outcomes globally (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 57). The US has high power over many other countries, which is why its policies tend to impact those of other countries. Other states receiving US aid and support will fear to ruin the current relationship with the country (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 63).

An important theme from all these essays is the effect of Trump's victory on the victims and survivors who are struggling to live with post-traumatic stress disorder. The recorded comments about women and how they are considered as mere objects by this candidate is quite depressing (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 123). So many men, including strangers, friends, and family, dismissed the recordings and reports of an assault. All these actions represented disrespect for women in society. The events were a form of violence, where the perpetrator was left to walk freely and even elected into office. The election outcome has significantly impacted women who are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorders after experiencing gender-based violence and sexual assault in the hands of men. It reminds them every day that men see it as usual, and that they can even openly discuss it and dismiss accusations. It is also worrying that people can still elect a man being accused of sexual assault into office. It is what makes it even more traumatizing since violence against women is now being considered a usual thing.

From the essays, a person with a disability is represented. The same is the case with a queer Jewish mum with a black son, a recovering alcoholic, a Mexican immigrant, and even those with mental illnesses. All these are vulnerable individuals who are also women. Their different voices with diverse identities and perspectives play an essential role in helping the audience to remain mentally stable and safe, while still moving towards the resistance of toxic and humiliating agendas

Relation to Social Movement and Changes

Social movement refers to the organized efforts by a specific group of people with the intent of bringing about change in society (Walsh-Russo 240). Nasty Women is a representation of the motivation that many need to take action against the Trump administration. There are 53% of white women who voted for Trump, despite his discriminative comments against women and accusations of sexual assault (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 4). The collection of essays represents the feelings and experiences of women from diverse backgrounds. The challenges they faced after Trump's election into office act as a factual reminder of the fear many women had when they opted to vote for Clinton. The book itself acts as a social movement as all the authors showcase collective behavior as feminists. They are against the Trump administration due to his discriminative views.

The content of the essays ranges from the campaign period up until a year after his inauguration. The fears that feminists had during the campaign period that has come to pass are addressed. Although there is no going back on the outcome of the election night, these feminists seek to use this as an example to avoid a repeat of the same in the future (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 13). Therefore, personal feelings and experiences are made open to the public so that more individuals may become motivated also to take action against this administration (Walsh-Russo 240). During the campaign period, many were misled into believing that Clinton was not a better candidate. However, when the background of these two candidates is considered, it becomes evident that Trump has no respect for women and many other minority groups.

A social movement must be oriented towards a change. The book Nasty Women seeks to change the current situation by promoting the election of a leader who has a vision of unifying the citizens of America, so that the nation can be made great again both within its borders and beyond (Mukhopadhyay and Kate 15). The various essays focus on offering recommendations of how a similar situation can be avoided in the future. The threat posed to the citizens and the current suffering is all discussed. That encourages the population to consider ways forward, whereby such a situation may be avoided (Walsh-Russo 241). The election outcome left many feminists feeling betrayed by the white women who voted for Trump. It is surprising that they still preferred him despite the sexual assault accusations and leaked recordings. So far, the feminists are not content with Trump being in the leadership position. It makes it seem okay for other men to disrespect women and expect to get away with the crime.

This unrest is what has triggered feminists to join hands and write about the election process and its outcome. They are showing a preference for Clinton because no human is perfect. In the future, these feminists hope that the people will not be misled into making yet another choice that is being driven by selfish goals. Since people experienced the campaign and election outcome, many will go by the arguments presented in the book to help them choose what is right (Walsh-Russo 242). Although some white women voted for Trump, their perception seems to have changed as there is yet another call for mass movement by the white feminists. They want all women across all racial lines to come together in solidarity against Trump's presidency. This group is pushing hard for this, whereas they are responsible for letting him get into office. They are regretting the decision since the outcome is not as enjoyable as they hoped.

Conclusion

The white feminists and black feminists are still struggling with a gap where the white group tends to support the causes that will benefit its members. However, it would have been better if these two groups would come together once and for all, and start working towards collective visions and goals. Nasty Women is a book that features authors from diverse backgrounds. How people are affected by the Trump administration, have been highlighted. Therefore, the public is encouraged to make sense of all these so that they can be motivated to participate in the resistance efforts. In the future, it is essential to consider politics with a vision for how people can work together to make the nation great again without instances of discrimination against women and other minority groups.

Works Cited

Mukhopadhyay, Samhita, and Kate, Harding. Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America. Picardor Press, 2017, pp. 1-140.

Walsh-Russo, Cecelia. "Strategies For Social Change." Social Movement Studies, vol 15, no. 2, 2015, pp. 240-242. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/14742837.2014.998645.