I don’t normally write about anything remotely political on my blog – preferring instead to make the odd rant on Facebook, if something really bothers me.  But this week, something and someone political has tipped me over the edge because it’s more than just politics – it’s about equality.  Anyone know where I’m at yet?

Yes, that’s right: Donald Trump, our US president-elect. Meryl Streep has used her Global Globe acceptance speech to attack Mr. Trump for mocking a disabled journalist working for the New York Times, Serge Kovaleski, who dared to report on Trump’s claim that thousands of US Muslims celebrated the collapse of the World Trade Centre.

Streep said she was heartbroken by Trumps imitation of the journalist and I absolutely applaud her comments. I am extremely proud and thankful that someone who has influence has been brave enough to bring this to the forefront of the media’s attention again.  But her comments have also being endlessly criticised, with many saying Streep could have used her to speech to urge Trump to promote equality and unity going forward. Many people were extremely critical of this pitiful man during the election campaign, but now, suddenly we’re meant to get behind him and hope against hope, that everything will be OK?

I strongly disagree. It is wrong and cowardly for anyone to sweep this behaviour under the carpet, just because in 7 days time this rude and ignorant man will be the (so-called) most powerful man in the world.  Why does that give him the right to abuse woman, mock disabled people and generally disrespect anyone who doesn’t agree with him?

In Trump’s defence, people have claimed he’s mocked others in exactly the same way and Trump himself has said he wasn’t mocking him but I think I may just send Mr. Trump a dictionary as an inauguration gift. Claiming to “not know” about Kovaleski’s condition is no excuse (not that I believe him) – when you’re in the position Trump was and is now in, you make it your business to know.

As a disabled person with Cerebral Palsy and a woman, Trump has shocked and offended me numerous times; the fact he is about to become US President is unbelievable. But this is what’s worse: disabled people have fought for years and are still fighting for equality and to be accepted into society. Yet Trump, the soon-to-be most influential man in the world, and his fans think it’s acceptable to mock disability and then defend his actions. And then they attack someone who is prepared to make a stand for disabled people.

I fear for America and equality over the next for years.  Well done Meryl for making a stand,