meohi812 Offline

Sexual Harassment

Over the past few months I've been hearing and seeing things on the news about movie producers, actors and newscasters and other people in the public eye being outed for sexual misconduct of one sort or another.
I, as a women have been put into such situations . Or to be honest have put myself in those situations purely because I needed something or wanted a job or a better position in my place of employment. Though not with the people in the public eye or someone rich and famous.
I am am very disturbed that men with power do these things. When it happened to me I flat out refused. And subsequently didn't get what I wanted. But I am guilty and part of the problem because I didn't tell anyone that it happened. That being said I do have a big problem with these stories coming out in the press now.
Being the skeptical and some what jaded person I am I find myself believing that the majority of these women speaking up now are not blameless. For years people have known and even joked about the "casting couch" in the movie industry. Everyone knew it happened. Most often you wouldn't hear anyone speaking out unless of course they did what the producer or the director wanted and they still didn't get the the part they wanted. I question the motives of the women speaking out now. Is it actual moral outrage? Or because they didn't get what they wanted after giving in to demands or requests of the person they are now telling the world about.
My whole point is this. If they are faced with this kind of behavior and they truly believe it is wrong,don't keep quiet for years. Speak up when it happens. Being quiet only emboldens the person into thinking they can get away with it. Their silence makes it possible for the next women in line to face the same situation. Does any one think that for example, Bill Cosby would have done what he did to so many women if some one had come forward? Do you think that Harvey Weinstein would have gotten away with his behavior if someone would have spoken up?These men are rich and famous and depend on the public opinion in part for their success. But they also depended on the women they wronged to be quiet to continue . They were definitely wrong in what they did. But, being quiet didn't do anything to stop them either.
Something else to consider, women stop teaching our daughters that using our looks and feminine charms will get us what we want. Start to teach them that using our brains and hard work are the best and most rewarding way to succeed in this world.
We need to stop perpetuating the belief that sex can be used as a tool to be used for gain.
I will step off my soap box now. Keep in mind this is just my own opinion.