,
14 tweets,
3 min read
Read on Twitter
This is a thoughtful and well-balanced analysis by @JamilSmith about why it's important to acknowledge the harm of Biden's self-proclaimed well-intentioned use of touch when greeting people he doesn't know.
Regarding the photo with Sofie Karasek who recently shared how uncomfortable she felt when he placed his forehead against hers: "...Biden had to know that it was wrong to do that to a woman whom he knew was a survivor of rape." THIS
I don't know how a non-survivor would feel. I can't speak for all survivors - only myself.
When men (or women) touch me without me expressing a direct invitation for contact, my stomach turns. I feel light-headed and angry, yet I struggle to assert myself.
When men (or women) touch me without me expressing a direct invitation for contact, my stomach turns. I feel light-headed and angry, yet I struggle to assert myself.
Me. A woman with a voice. A woman who has spent decades working through trauma and learning how to advocate for myself and others. I loathe unwanted touches and generally count down the seconds until it's over. Then I make sure to keep distant from that person if we meet again.
This is what's wrong with Biden. He of all people should know better than to touch any person so closely, even if it's his "brand". Especially if that person is a survivor of sexual trauma. He. Doesn't. Care.
Biden is an ally. A problematic one, but he is one nonetheless. And I, nor any other survivor, should not have to tolerate his touches - even though they are not sexually motivated - because they violate my bodily integrity & cause me anxiety ...
... and feelings of powerlessness because I'd be too afraid to yank my arm or head away because all eyes would be on us and I wouldn't want to appear rude.
That's f*cked up.
That's f*cked up.
The onus should be on Biden or anyone who likes to touch folks they are talking to as part of their social repertoire to make sure they don't make other people feel bad. If I was touching someone & had any idea that they felt uncomfortable I would be mortified & super apologetic
The fact that Biden sincerely feels he has done nothing wrong and refuses to apologize for his behavior is a red flag. Not that he's a predator, but that he's paternalistic, entitled and believes he has a right to foist *what makes him comfortable* on other people.
I don't think he shouldn't run. I don't think he's a Weinstein. I value VAWA. I loathe his arrogance and refusal to apologize for his missteps with women. He owes Anita Hill a damn apology.
Talking about his behavior isn't a purity test. It's attempting to deconstruct grey areas in the arena of human interaction. I think it's important that we don't attempt to make this a simplistic narrative because it's not simple. This is part of why folks are so up in arms
What's not grey is that Biden needs to keep his hands to himself and people need to resist the urge to minimize his behavior or infer that he's sexually assaulting people.
None of the women said they felt his touch was sexual. They said it was uncomfortable, and that's reason enough for him to stop, and yes - apologize.
As we can see based upon the almost 28 years since the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas debacle, apologizing isn't Biden's forte.
As we can see based upon the almost 28 years since the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas debacle, apologizing isn't Biden's forte.
Just to clarify tweet below: I'm NOT talking about sexually suggestive touching. I will let someone know ASAP they're out of line. I'm referring to lingering hugs or a hand held a few seconds too long. That's when I silently scream inside.
