Faculty hosts meeting to discuss effects of presidential election

The first of a series of post-election forums held by the University of Toledo College of Law was held Thursday, Dec. 1. The forum offered perspective on, and analysis of the 2016 election cycle and results.

Speakers included Jeff Broxmeyer and Jetsabe Caceres who are both professors of Political Science; Sharon Barnes, professor of women and gender studies; and Ben Davis and Rebecca Zietlow, professors in the College of Law.

After the speakers, the forum was then opened up to the floor where students, staff and members of the community voiced their opinions concerning the election.

The first speaker of the night, Davis, explained in his speech “Come to Auschwitz” that although this may be the first time that youth are experiencing fear because of a certain political power, this type of conduct has been seen before for many.

“Power yields only to power. You have to organize yourself with regards to matters to try to address those kinds of difficult situations that you do not agree with,” Davis said.“With regards to the election, people will probably say, particularly people who are happy with the result, that you need to get over it. No one can tell you when to get over these things.”

Sharon Barnes’s speech, titled “Patriarchal Smack Down of 2016,” included concepts from the field of Women and Gender Studies, applying them to the campaign for the election, then offering remarks on where to go from here. Barnes gave several examples of how often Trump uses objectification as the way to interface with women.

“‘Trump that Bitch’ is purely misogynous. It’s not about Hillary Clinton, it’s not about even calling her a name. It is simply calling her a bitch for having the gall to run for president,” Barnes said.

Barnes explained that many gains have been made by women in the past decade, and that in this election, there was a backlash against these gains. She explained the importance of recognizing this as backlash and referring to it as so.

As comments opened up to the floor, one attendee explained the troubling “dumbing-down” of America over the past thirty years deliberately, thereby creating a space for someone such as Trump to step into. She said, “We all know that knowledge is power. It is up to us to wield our knowledge as a weapon against ignorance, which is the basis of hate. It is up to us to keep facts alive.”

Another participant commented on how the majority of Americans are angry, alienated, divided and have great fear and concerns. He noted the great commonality of concern embodied in many Americans, and suggested a future forum centered around the common struggle America is facing, and where that fear stems from.

He continued and said, “A lot of people feel that America has not been on the right course for a long time, and this did not begin with Trump winning. Polarization and division have been a trend. This fear and anger is what most of us have in common here; we may be divided by everything else, but we have that in common.”

Caitie Johnson, a third-year Women and Gender Studies major who attended, explained that she was interested in the event because it was an opportunity to learn more about the president-elect and how he managed to win the election.

“It was refreshing to see how we as a community can address what can be touchy topics in a very professional manner,” Johnson said. “I thoroughly enjoyed listening to each speaker’s stance, and I look forward to attending future forums.”

For more information about upcoming forums, contact Renee Heberle of Political Science or Liat Ben-Moshe of Disabilities Studies.