Trump Adviser’s Slur Is a Sign of Things to Come

Some men boarded the train a few stops after me, shouting about Hillary Clinton. I took out my earphones to listen. “She’s a slut who belongs in jail,” one of them said.

.. This is only the latest time the slur has been lobbed at Mrs. Clinton by the Trump camp. Back in July, Scott Baio, who spoke at the Republican National Convention, tweeted a meme using the slur. The alt-right radio host Alex Jones has called her a “bitch” and a “witch.” Rush Limbaugh called her “a witch with a capital B.” Merchandise reading “Trump That Bitch” and “Life’s a Bitch; Don’t Vote For One” has shown up at Trump rallies.

.. Probably every woman in America has been called a slut, a bitch or worse.

.. Every time one of Hillary Clinton’s opponents speaks words like this, we remember the men who sought to humiliate us and to keep us silent. We remember the first time, when we learned the words that men would use to hurt us. We remember the last time, when we were surprised to find those words still hurt. Words can’t stop us, but they matter and they do harm.

.. I wasn’t surprised to hear Hillary Clinton called a slut that night in July. I know I’ll hear worse if she becomes president. I’m prepared, but I wish I didn’t have to be.