Know My Name: A Memoir

Miller transitions into a discussion of larger issues related to sexual assault. She explores the leaked Access Hollywood tape that featured Donald Trump, future President of the United States, admitting to sexual assault. Miller includes excerpts from the tape to connect Trump’s statements to the real and convicted actions of her own rapist. Miller condemns the impossible burden placed on women to protect themselves from assault while also being told, “You are overreacting, overly offended, hysterical, rude, relax!!!” (278).

Miller also discusses the murder of “Philando Castile, a young black man, who was driving home from the grocery store when a police officer pulled him over for a broken taillight and shot him seven times” (279). The police officer was not found guilty. Miller focuses on the dehumanization of Philando. She relates to the ways in which she and Philando are stripped of their humanity, judged by preconceived notions, and villainized despite being the victims in their respective cases.

Miller points out the hypocrisy of attacks against her character, as there was evidence of Turner’s excessive partying and experimentation with drugs. She also acknowledges the privilege of Turner as a wealthy white man whom Miller argues “was shielded inside projections of what people like him grow up to become, or are supposed to become” (281-82).