Congressman Richmond claimed that he spoke to people who were close to him and they helped him see the error of his ways…I say that it shouldn’t take an outside influence for a grown man to know the difference between right and wrong.
I was deeply disturbed to read about the comments that Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond made regarding a viral photograph of Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway. The photo showed Conway seated on a couch in the Oval Office, on her knees, during a meeting between President Donald Trump and leaders of historically black colleges and universities. As the conversation spread across social media over whether or not Conway lacked decorum, Richmond decided to make public comments at a dinner regarding the photograph. The comments he made were sexually lewd and completely offensive. He insinuated that Conway looked very comfortable on her knees and referenced Bill Clinton’s affairs.
The remarks were completely uncalled for and appalling, to say the least. Richmond’s sexual innuendo was degrading not only toward women, but to the office of the president of the United States. He basically suggested that Conway and President Trump are having relations. If comments like these were made in a work environment, a person could face the business end of sexual harassment charges. I would feel violated and horrible if someone in the workplace made such allegations or innuendos about me.
Women have come so far in the professional world, and to still be subjected to crude jokes sets us back. In a male-dominated environment like politics, there is no room for the disgusting display toward any woman that this particular Congressman showed. One of the most offensive aspects to me is the lack of outrage that followed the remarks. When President Donald Trump was crucified for the tape from 2005 being made public, women like Nancy Pelosi were the loudest to shout discrimination toward women. In this instance, Pelosi had not a single word to offer other than that she didn’t really know what had been said. It was almost like she deflected the subject in order to avoid addressing what is clearly horrible behavior.
This is not the message we should be sending to our young girls and women. Part of feminism is allowing women to freely express themselves and behave how they so choose with their bodies and otherwise. If Kellyanne Conway wants to be on her knees on a couch, that isn’t something that needs to be circulated widely and scrutinized. Many on social media responded to the controversy by posting photographs of past occupants of the White House kicking back with their feet on the furniture. Although Richmond has since apologized for his behavior, the damage has been done. The apology didn’t even seem that sincere. He claimed that he spoke to people who were close to him and who he respected and they helped him see the error of his ways.
I say that it shouldn’t take an outside influence for a grown man to know the difference between right and wrong. Furthermore, he should have owned up to his bad behavior instead of backpedaling the way he did. There’s no way to write off disgusting remarks such as those he made. Hopefully, this can be a lesson to many that sexist comments can come from either side of the fence.
Angelina Newsom is an OpsLens Contributor and U.S. Army Veteran. She has ten years experience in the military, including a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She studies Criminal Justice and is still active within the military community.
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