Talking About The Uncomfortable

 By Erica and Karen

Anderson Cooper did a masterful job when he insisted Trump answer this question:

"Just for the record, though, are you saying that what you said on that bus eleven years ago, that you did not actually kiss women without consent or grope women without consent?....Have you ever done those things?"

"No, I have not," Trump said.

That response prompted at least nine women to dispute Trump’s denial, by reciting personal stories they had never before disclosed publicly. Questions were then raised about the women's truthfulness--by questioning not the facts, but the timing of their statements.  

Their explanation for the timing is entirely plausible. Imagine that you were one of these women. If you had been working for Trump, or otherwise had some business dealings with him, who would you have complained to? Trump? He would have "fired" you, and maybe even subjected you to ridicule, mockery, and public humiliation. If Trump didn’t even know you, who would you tell? Anderson Cooper? Would he have even picked up the phone? It wasn't news.

It’s absurd. These women--like so many women of our day--kept private such outrageous and humiliating incidents. And would have continued to do so but for Trump’s bragging, and then denial.  

As we all knew from what had happened to Anita Hill, there was little or no upside in going public about unwanted sexual advances. Maybe these nine brave women will help change that.