A former Dominican priest who had a blog used to say, "Women only have the rights men allow them to have." I think that is changing big time today. The sexual abuse claims made by women against men, who happen to be falling like dominoes, from very high places BTW - is a huge sea change. This may turn out to be a major cultural change if heads keep falling.
Looks like the ERA will finally get ratified.
Many women have become incapable of seeing the difference between a clumsy pass and actual sexual assault. On the other hand, it seems men have reverted to being pre-teens in their behavior. What no one wants to acknowledge is men and women are different.
ReplyDeleteThis!!! Yes!!!
DeleteI believe this deluge of accusations are a mixed bag of fact, fiction and fantasy. We seem to be in a period akin to other hysterical epochs. "J'accuse" is sufficient to establish conviction. Every man is guilty of a sexual crime because he is a man. It is a reign of terror.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully, my friend, I disagree. Personally, I think it comes down to respect, or lack of respect, for women.
DeleteWhen I was in my late 20s/early 30s, circa 1990, I had to work with a nasty old git who was in his 60s. He referred to me as a "sexytary", and sat himself down to discuss his wife's bra size and his "manly" prowess, and give me advice on my love life (I was newly married). He was supposed to be supervising a work crew, and would only do this when I was alone in the office. He was absolutely disgusting. I told him not to speak to me like that, and that I had work to do, but it only seemed to encourage him.
I then went to our supervisor, who was a 50ish man who had always treated me in a businesslike, respectable manner. I told him what was happening and exactly what this creep was saying to me.
The boss told me he was an old man who was raised in a different time, and to let it go in one ear and out the other.
I was non-union and was given the impression that no one would believe me, and if I complained, it would only endanger my job.
I was not the only woman treated in this manner where I worked. In fact, my father had worked there and begged me not to take the promotion and work there.
No. If these men are guilty, it's time to face up to their bad behavior and their bullying. Sir, if you had a wife or daughter treated the way these women were, or even the way I was, would you think it was "a reign of terror," or would you want justice and decency to prevail?
I was never physically touched, but I have carried this with me all my life. The man who did this to me has died. But it is time for a change for the better in the way American women are treated.
God bless you, Mr. H, and all here.
I think along the same lines - the effects of what this means, where it is going, seems to me to be echoed in the Pope's homily for today - which seems rather prophetic in light of what is transpiring in this country:
ReplyDelete"“Ideological and cultural colonizations only look to the present; they deny the past, and do not look to the future. They live in the moment, not in time, and so they can’t promise us anything. And with this attitude of making everyone equal and cancelling out differences, they commit, they make an particularly ugly blasphemy against God the Creator. Every time a cultural and ideological colonization comes along, it sins against God the Creator because it wants to change Creation as it was made by Him. And against this fact that has occurred so often in history, there is only one medicine: bearing witness; that is, martyrdom." - http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/11/21/pope_francis_cultural_colonization_ends_in_persecution/1350251
This is not to say there isn't a problem and women (or men) shouldn't be believed, and so on. My sense is that this will or could lead to some other ideological problems as pointed out by the Pope. Nevertheless, the inequality in the workplace and the sexual exploitation and abuse of women is a real problem that needs to dealt with seriously.
DeleteSorry to monopolize the conversation, but this hits home.
ReplyDeleteI know few women who have not experienced some kind of sexual harassment, both now and in the past. It is more than the inequality in wages. It is the atmosphere that if a woman is in a job at a lower rung than a man, she has to accept whatever indignity comes her way in order to keep her job or to get ahead.
It is not pleasant to be bullied and intimidated. Nor is it "gentlemanly" to be a bully or a harasser. This cuts across American society, from presidents and politicans to the most humble of situations.
It is not Christian, nor is it American to accept this. No. Especially if the accused admits to it, and if there is evidence. It is not funny, and it is a serious issue. It is time to put harassment of any kind in the past. Now.
I agree with you. Male on male sexual harassment happens as well - it's about power and control. In the Charlie Rose case, he had a woman acting as manager and at least one woman reported the harassment - nothing was said or done. The female manager most likely wanted to protect her own job. Many women over the years neglected to report because no one would either believe them or do anything about it, and because if they did complain they would either not get the job or be passed over as a trouble maker and complainer.
DeleteThanks Susan for adding to the conversation.
You are correct about male on male SH, brother. I work with a male nurse, an older man, who is very slight and soft-spoken. He is a kind and conscientious gentleman, and a professional. He has been bullied by female nurses and other male nurses, and by male and female doctors while doing hospital work, for his entire career. He has managed to rise above it all these years. But he should not have to be treated with indignity while trying to do his job.
DeleteThanks for letting me vent, Terry. I'll give it a rest now. God bless and protect all here. Susan, ofs
I am sorry Susan for what you experienced. My post was not well written. I am glad that these men are exposed. The point I was trying to make, although poorly is that this is complex. The reign of terror works both ways. You can never prove something did not happen. Accusations entangle the innocent and guilty as well. I read in a British paper that the actor Jeremy Previn has passed a lie detector about the accusations against him and passed. There is no doubt that women have been exploited and are victims in every walk of life. This needs to be exposed and consequences for this behavior. I just question how much was real and how much will be revenge, exaggerated or fabricated. The innocent will be tarred along with the guilty. There is no defense and I pray good will come. We need a complete overhaul of what we expect in human relationships. Sorry if I seemed to lack empathy. Predatory behavior is evil. Always.
ReplyDeleteI see your point. I expect there are unscrupulous individuals who will take advantage of the current atmosphere for personal gain from innocent people who are wrongly accused. This happened more than once during the priest scandals, and it is despicable.
ReplyDeleteBut I think anyone who speaks up should have his or her complaint investigated fairly, without prejudice. And if there is fault found, it must be addressed.
As you say, it is human nature to believe the worst we hear of another, unfortunately. Like the priest scandals, this is a wicked mess. Innocent people were hurt had their reputations ruined on both sides.
God bless you, Mr. H, and Terry and all here. Let's say a Memorare today and ask for the protection of the innocent, the bullied, and the intimidated, no matter who it is. Susan, ofs
There is another factor here, I think. We live in a culture of the lie where character assassination is rampant. Students turn in work they didn't do. Researchers who falsify their results has resulted in thousands of scientific papers being discredited. Shoplifting is rampant. Women lie about rape. I recently read about a man jailed for 15 years and finally freed when his rape accuser admitted she lied. Think of the woman who falsely accused the Duke lacrosse team of gang-raping her. She's now in jail for murdering her boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, lying often pays off. And accusations are often enough to destroy a person's reputation. The accusers are sometimes the bullies. And sadly, that's one of the reasons the truth is often not believed.
I'm joining you in saying the Memorare and offering my Mass for the "protection of the innocent...no matter who".
Once the honor system was the basis of character. Once people cared how their behavior reflected on their family legacy. We are a culture like Rome in her decline. I will join you in prayer that God will come to our aid.
ReplyDeleteIt all seems rather Orwellian to me today. I think it might have to do with 'training' and how they teach kids about good touch, bad touch. Then it can be used to claim abuse - when needed. "You touched my butt" - even if accidentally or posing for a casual photo part of your hand touches the buttocks - becomes 'he hit on me'. Just a theory. The other part of this has to do with that more nebulous than ever concept of 'consent'. So yes - this has to be investigated objectively.
ReplyDeleteIt's ironic, living in such a highly sexualized culture when the 'F' word is every day language and entertainment is steeped in sexual comedy and sit-coms are always about sexual situations - no wonder people think that everyone is trying to have sex with you.
Thanksgiving conversations should be interesting tomorrow. LOL!
Yes Terry I too think 1984 arrived in 2016. I read it for the first time last year and it has forecast so many things like fake news, identity politics, newspeak, personal oppression, government spying via a TV. Well maybe not the last one exactly. Orwell's rich imagination could not foresee the internet, Facebook and Twitter. Well, let's be thankful we are still free while we can. Trump or no Trump I am beginning to think there is no turning back. Fifty four years after JFK's assassination and suddenly all those conspiracy theories seem plausible. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
ReplyDelete