On 20th January 2017 at noon, our world will change forever.
Not because we have suddenly found a cure for cancer, or equal pay for women, or child abuse has ended and there is no more fear. But because on the West Front of The United States Capitol Building Donald John Trump will become the 45th President of the United States of America. This will be the start of a four-year period whereby a 70-year-old man, the oldest man ever to take office as president brings his weight to bear on world politics.
Am I concerned?
You can bet your bottom dollar I am!
This is a man who vilifies women, using them as play-things for his own brand of humour and gratification. This is a man who has played on the fears of people to claw his way to a position of power that could undo the many years of reform that have gone before.
The question is, I suppose, how will the world stand its ground? How will the American people make him accountable for his behaviour? Or will he, as President, be beyond reproach? The scandals of past Presidents have become insignificant in comparison with what is about to happen.
Mr Trump grew up in a time where women supposedly knew their place. The man ruled the roost, making the decisions and the woman was there to please and serve her man. In his formative years’ men were allowed to pinch bottoms, have a little grope, it was expected…almost. Women just had to put up with it. The glass ceiling was significantly lower and many women just accepted their lot in life.
Mr Trump grew up with racial bigotry, indeed segregation was only stopped in 1964. Bias against gay people was prevalent and to some extent it still is. Yes, same sex marriage is legal, but abuse of Gays because of so called freedom of speech still continues.
What about violence against women in a country where families of police officers have been shown, in some studies, to have higher incidents of violence?
What is Mr Trump going to do? Will he do anything to protect the rights of women, children, and other minority groups?
He has shown us all that he is a loose cannon who tweets without thought, is reactionary and possibly dangerous.