Cornell hosts lecture on feminist 'resistance' to Trump

Cornell University celebrated the one-year anniversary of the election of President Donald Trump by holding a discussion surrounding feminism, resistance, and privilege.

The November 8 discussion, “Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump’s America,” featured Kate Harding, author of an anthology by the same name, and was hosted by the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), which seeks “full participation of women-identified students,” and “maintaining an environment where all are free to affirm and celebrate their differences and commonalities.”

[RELATED: UNL English prof publishes anthology of ‘nasty women poets’]

“When 53 percent of white women voted for Donald Trump and 94 percent of black women voted for Hillary Clinton, how can women unite in Trump’s America?” the event description asked.

According to audio recordings obtained by Campus Reform, Harding wanted the anthology to be a “feminist project” and not simply a “post-Hillary project,” and sought to hear from those who did not vote for or identify with Clinton.

While she welcomed Bernie Sanders supporters to contribute, however, there was no mention of asking conservative-leaning women for their points of view.

“My values as a human being do not exist outside of my politics which are equality and kindness,” Harding said, suggesting later that those who voted for Donald Trump were “against equality and kindness.”

Harding also discussed dealing with family members who voted for Trump.

“We want to change a heart if possible,” she said, but noted that the task would be difficult because Trump supporters are, “abusive, cruel, unkind, and just defending their right to racism, sexism, xenophobia, etc.”  

[RELATED: Prof accuses Trump supporters of ‘authoritarianism,’ ‘prejudice’]

White privilege also made its way into the discussion when Harding recalled having to cap the number of white female authors to make room for women of color.

“White people have a sort of entitlement to be involved,” she said. “‘Oh, I want to be in this. I deserve to be in that. I am going to ask for it.’”

Campus Reform reached out to the Women’s Resource Center for additional detail concerning the purpose of the event, but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Follow Campus Reform on Twitter: @CampusReform