Not My Type by E. Jean Carroll

 

   E. Jean Carroll’s courage compelled me to read her memoir. I borrowed Not My Type from the library.

   It is not the kind of book I like to read but the fact that she risked her life motivated me to pick it for My Writing Life: Awareness, Reflection, Inspiration.

     Not My Type: One Woman vs a President reveals what she went through when she came forward to expose the truth: the revelations of the sexual assault and the perpetrator. She shares the details of her traumatic experience and the context of the situation.

   Going to court to stand up for justice meant risking her own life. She received all kinds of threats. The cultists threatened to rape and murder her. She received thousands of hateful, misogynistic messages. This should not come as a surprise considering that these people constantly make excuses for the behaviors of a convicted sexual abuser who also happened to be the closest friend of a sex trafficker for fifteen years, and who recently moved a convicted child sex trafficker to a more comfortable prison. In the past he even bragged about sexually assaulting women, and when he was asked about it, he said that was “locker-room talk.”

   I can’t believe I am writing this but let’s say it: sexual abuse is a criminal act. It does not matter if the perpetrator is white, black or orange. It does not matter whether the perpetrator is rich or poor. It does not matter whether the perpetrator is Republican or Democrat. Sexual abuse is a violation.

  My question is this: why is a convicted sexual abuser allowed to become president in the United States of America? Is misogyny so deeply ingrained in American society that this is acceptable in the minds of seventy-seven million voters and ninety million people who did not even bother to vote?

   Seventy-seven million people voted for a sexual abuser because they chose not to believe women, while they preferred to believe a man with a history of lying consistently. They did not even bother to pay attention to the facts in this specific case because their misogyny blinded them, so let’s review some of those facts here.

   Fact number one: the sexual abuser stated that he had never met E. Jean Carroll. This was proven to be a lie.

 Fact number two: the sexual abuser stated that he never shopped at Bergdorf Goodman. This turned out to be a lie.

 Fact number three: he stated that “E. Jean Carroll was not his type.” This is another lie. The sexual abuser mistook E. Jean Carroll for his own wife.

    I will let you find more evidence in her book. You will also learn about the evidence that was not even used in court.

   I do not understand how E. Jean Carroll manages to use humor to make the narrative more palatable. Her humor and wit did not prevent the waves of nausea and disgust I experienced as I learned the details of her situation. Yet I forced myself to complete the read. I skimmed through some passages about clothing because I found them redundant and irrelevant.

  One of his defense attorneys was obsessed with the victim’s clothing. There was an irrational interest in her clothing. I also do not understand why his defense attorney had an inappropriate focus on Ms. Carroll’s private life when the focus should have been on the abuser’s behaviors instead. The twenty-first century is not free from misogyny and gender double standards.

  The current social and political landscape in the United States of America is clear evidence of how serious it is to let misogyny dominate a society. The irrational voters did not believe E. Jean Carroll, but they have no problem with the sexual abuser’s lies: No, he did not stop the war on Ukraine on day one. In fact, he made it worse for Ukraine. No, he did not lower the prices of groceries. In fact, the prices of groceries have been rising. He did not make housing more affordable and “the concept of a healthcare plan” never materialized, but the mainstream media never holds him accountable for anything. The sexual abuser promised to release the Epstein files but then he found out it was a better idea to keep them hidden because the files are “boring” according to him, and he moved the sexual trafficker’s helper to a better prison. What can be wrong with that?

  Yet the mainstream media treats him with special care because they lack the courage that E. Jean Carroll has.

  One obsession of the trump regime is to persecute the people they label as “illegals.”  In Nazi Germany they would have been the Jews, the Gypsies, the Communists and people with disabilities. In Nazi Germany they also persecuted those who disagreed with Hitler’s regime. The trump regime appears to follow on the same steps…

   Under the trump regime the dictator’s minions scapegoat groups of people and go after them while wearing masks, a mafia style of action that should shock every citizen in America. Yet the mainstream media dutifully promotes the dictator’s propaganda. The media did the same in the 1930s in Germany.

  The trump regime disregards science and public health. Those who voted for him were concerned about the economy and the border because the mainstream media had promoted a false narrative about the border, hinting that trump was the right person “to fix it.” The narrative of the mainstream media about the border paved the way to this regime through lies and exaggeration. This is what Hitler did to arouse anger and to trigger scapegoating behaviors. Yet unemployment is rising and the dictator did not improve the economy in any way unless you refer to the financial situation of multibillionaires.

   Math and economy are not the dictator’s strengths. He said he would reduce the cost of medications by 1,500 percent. Will people get paid to take their medications? We do not need a college degree to understand that this is a lie.

    It is exhausting to watch the mainstream media constantly normalizing him, but the most disturbing part of the mess we are in is that the dictator recently passed an executive order to enable the regime to go after anybody who opposes fascism in America, because he created an imaginary enemy called “Antifa.” In his imagination, Antifa is a terrorist organization. With his executive order, the dictator gives the regime the green light to go after anybody who stands up against fascism. How is this acceptable?

  Do you remember when he said he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and not lose supporters? It is the sign of a cult.

   The fact that he bragged about sexually assaulting women should have been enough to stop him from becoming president.  Yet now we have him in power mansplaining pregnant women over the use of Tylenol, without any kind of scientific evidence. This is dangerous for the health of women. It is hard to believe that this is happening in the United States of America. Please, make sure you educate your daughters to make mindful choices when voting... Did self-respect go out of fashion in America? Seventy-seven million voters have channeled their insecurities into a very insecure man, a sexual abuser, a bully.

      Despite the threats to her life and the violent messages she received, E. Jean Carroll did not surrender to fear, and she beat him. Yes, she is the winner and he is the loser in this case. The sexual abuser will have to pay her over 89 million dollars because he defamed her in addition to sexually abusing her.

   E. Jean Carroll said she will be donating most of that money to the things that the sexual abuser hates: women’s reproductive rights, voting rights, climate solutions…

    The end of her memoir brought tears of joy to my eyes, but perhaps, some of those tears were tears of sadness, because how can we surrender our country to an abuser?

   What we do matters. The dictator tried to get a comedian fired recently, but the people responded and the comedian is back on air. The determination of the people was more powerful than the power of a dictator. Let’s keep the momentum. Do not get distracted.

   Share this book with every person you know. It deserves to be read. I am thankful for her bravery. I am thankful for the bravery of those who supported her, and, of course, I am thankful for the dogs who helped to guard her life.

 

 Independent journalists who report facts with authenticity and clarity:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIUwQxsf4fE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyf80CwUjzo

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuqIpMvYxPk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qCCFzoFrGk

Relevant links:

 

  https://apnews.com/article/trump-tough-it-out-pregnancy-women-pain-acetaminophen-dc48caddabef2f086a50b48c5b86a3ca

https://time.com/7317383/political-violence-america-trump-crackdown-right/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0jqvz24llyo

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-is-antifa-and-why-trump-wants-to-label-it-a-terrorist-organization

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qCCFzoFrGk

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to check my writing on the following books:

On Freedom by Tim Snyder

The Echo Machine by David Pakman

We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates

How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy

 

   There is something soothing and magical about the symphony of crickets in a garden.

   This summer I marveled at the dance of fireflies and the music of crickets.

   The lights of fireflies sweeten the charm of our summer nights in ways that words cannot describe.

   When people asked Mr. Tallamy about the decline in crickets and fireflies in gardens his response was that those who use lawn-treatments to kill insects and fertilize lawns will not have these insects in their yards. On the other hand, when we do not apply synthetic chemicals we support the development of healthy ecosystems, we avoid polluting our waterways and we help sustain the lives of pollinators.

    The autumn season is just beginning to decorate our grounds with the majesty of dead leaves. These leaves shelter the larvae of fireflies. It is important to “leave the leaves” and accept them for what they are: nutrition for the soil and homes for the life of several creatures. Besides, these dead leaves on the ground harbor insects that are a crucial source of food for various birds.

 

  The “leave the leaves” advice is an important reminder in the fall. Don’t take my word for it and visit the site of the Xerces society to learn more.

  Douglas Tallamy also reminds us that removing the leaves under the trees starves the trees, because those leaves need to be broken down by decomposers to nourish the soil from which those trees obtain their nutrients. The crickets also play an important role in this process of breaking down the leaves; they help to recycle organic material to enrich the soil. Everything is interconnected.

  You can learn more about this from Tallamy’s book: How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard. He answers 499 questions on the topic on how we can help Nature restore herself.

 Who is Douglas Tallamy?  

Douglas W. Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has taught insect- related courses for 44 years. Douglas Tallamy has published several research articles as well.

  The reason I like this book is that it provides relevant information and tips that I have not found in other books. It is more specific in terms of giving practical advice and  information.

      Why is this important? His introduction states it clearly:

 “In the United States alone, 133 million acres are now in residential landscapes, and those landscapes are controlled by hundreds of millions of people. With a little education, we can all come to realize that sustainable Earth stewardship is not something we can ignore or practice only if we feel like it, or something that happens in ‘natural areas.’ It is essential, and it is essential everywhere. Moreover, caring for the life around us is a responsibility we all hold. I say that with certainty, because each of us depends entirely on the quality of local ecosystems for our continued well-being.”

  It is amazing to think about how much one person can do. Reading his book will empower you in various ways…

 Even if you do not own a garden, you can still do your part. Mr. Tallamy emphasizes that many native plants do well in patio pots. 

 

Fascinating facts that will guide you to be a better steward of mother Earth

You may encounter people who believe that they care about birds, but their behaviors show the opposite. The facts in this book will guide people to make simple choices that can make a world of difference.

 Spider webs

 Did you know that spider webs are important resources for various birds? Spider webs are used as a source of material for nest building. Small birds such as humming birds, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, kinglets and Bushtits need them, so his advice is to avoid brushing off spider webs from outdoor structures. Also, spiders feed on the mosquitoes that pester us, so why would anybody with common sense destroy their webs?

 

Mosquito fogging is toxic and ineffective

   Mr. Tallamy explains that mosquito fogging is not an effective way of getting rid of mosquitoes. Besides, mosquito fogging kills butterflies, bees, moths, earthworms, caterpillars, and other insects that are essential to healthy ecosystems. To learn more about the toxic effects of mosquito fogging, feel free to visit this site provided by Purdue University.

 Blue jays and squirrels plant trees

 Did you know that blue Jays plant most oak trees? And some of them are planted by squirrels. How does this happen? Blue Jays bury their acorns to feed on them later, but they end up eating one out of four acorns they bury, so the three they don’t eat have the potential to grow into oak trees.

 

Plant native trees and plants

  Be consistent and plant something every year. There is detailed information on the need to plant native plants and to avoid planting invasive plants. Every year nurseries sell thousands of invasive plants that harm ecosystems, so people should choose to avoid purchasing these plants and ask for the native ones. If the nursery does not sell native plants, feel free to walk away. Actions speak louder than words.

 

 Planting clover instead of using synthetic fertilizers

 It is better to use clover for several reasons. You will nourish the soil without polluting the water with the runoff of synthetic fertilizers. You will require less water because clover is drought-resistant. You will provide nutrition for several pollinators including butterflies and bees, and you will decrease the emission of greenhouse gases that worsen the climate crisis. Synthetic fertilizers use releases nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. What is not to like about all the benefits of using clover instead of synthetic fertilizers for your lawn?

  It is also important to remove some of the grass and to plant more native plants. Avoid spraying herbicides and pesticides; these chemicals poison the water, the air and the sources of food for birds. And don’t worry about those dandelions. They may not be a native plant but they still provide nutrition for pollinators.

   

 Supporting clean energy initiatives and policies

 The development of clean energy infrastructure keeps the air and water clean and is part of the action to address climate change. It provides jobs and boosts the economy in multiple ways. Unfortunately, the trump regime is doing just the opposite.

 I previously wrote about how the trump regime is leading to a rise in the cost of our utility bills.

   There is a lot to learn from his book, so feel free to go to your nearest library and find out more. My only criticism is that he is very biased against deer in a way that spreads misinformation. For example, he blames deer for the abundance of ticks when experts know that climate change is responsible for the increase of various kinds of ticks in the environment. You can read about this in an article published by Binghamton University. 

 Moreover, Tallamy complains that deer do not eat the non-native plants and that they prefer the native ones. Again, he scapegoats deer when he knows that thousands of non-native invasive plants are introduced into the environment by humans who purchase their plants from irresponsible nurseries. Instead of scapegoating deer, we should take responsibility and make the right choices when purchasing plants from nurseries.

 I want to introduce Mr. Tallamy to the concept of compassionate conservation.

 I strongly encourage Mr. Tallamy to educate himself on the topic.

 

Update on my gardening experience this year

In a post from June 2025, I mentioned my goal to produce food while supporting the health of pollinators in my own garden, and I want to write about how everything turned out. I am also sharing some helpful tips and ideas for other gardeners.

  I never use pesticides and herbicides and I have done my part in  planting more native plants in our yard. I communicated my ideas to other people in my neighborhood. It was heartwarming to see people leaving patches of wildflowers on their lawn. The results have been encouraging. This year we’ve had many more bees, crickets, fireflies and monarch butterflies compared to the previous year.

 Helpful tips and ideas

 When my seedlings are attacked by ants, I do not use any kind of poison. I only spray the plants with cayenne pepper. It works. The spice deters the ants from eating my seedlings, and then the sprouts continue to grow and thrive without any problems. Squirrels do not like the cayenne pepper either. I sometimes add coffee grounds. Coffee grounds help to fertilize the soil and ants don’t like them.

  I grow sage and mint on the borders of the fenced vegetable patches because I know mice and other pests don’t like them. They stay away from them. I do pay a lot of attention to companion planting. For example, I planted some zinnias and purple coneflowers along with some of my tomato plants. I have used an effective organic fertilizer with excellent results.

  Rabbits are effective workers in my garden. They devour a variety of weeds so they help with garden maintenance in natural ways. Due to the interesting variety of weeds we offer, they do not even try to get into my vegetable garden. The same idea applies to chipmunks.

  My goal of producing more food in less space also came to fruition. We produced over fifty pounds of tomatoes this season as well as a steady supply of green beans, collards, Swiss chard, cucumbers, arugula, basil, and other herbs. Add to the list a harvest of sweet peas in early summer. (And there is another one that will hopefully be ready for the fall).

  We are also proud supporters of a small family farm (CSA) from where we obtain healthful delicious vegetables and fruit every two weeks.  They grow organic food in sustainable ways, respecting the environment and nourishing the soil. We will continue to support them next year.

  Future plans:

  I would like to enlarge our vegetable patches next year to increase our food production; we will continue to plant more native plants. We may add a tree or two. It is inspiring and uplifting to see the celebration of life in our “forest of hope.”

  The gentle music of crickets, the daily visit of monarch butterflies and the steady company of bees are reminders that we are doing something right...

 If you enjoyed this post, feel free to check my writing on the following books:

The Permaculture Transition Manual

The Comfort of Crows

 The Sixth Extinction

Relevant links:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-utility-bills-are-rapidly-rising-in-some-states/

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/inflation-reduction-act-canceled-projects-q1-2025-kore-freyr/746737/

 

 

https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/issues/food-system/