1. I've held back on writing about the wave of sexual abuse allegations. It is a highly emotionally charged issue and any treatment of it runs the risk of causing pain. But, as I watch the #MeToo movement used as a political football, I feel it's time to navigate the subject.
2. It's my intention to find the balance of compassion and pragmatism and to highlight the nuance of the phenomenon, as the value of this time in history risks damage from partisan politics and labels of hysteria.
3. Why this is happening now is a direct response to the election of DT - a man accused of sexual assault 16 times, with a long history of publicly demeaning women and well-publicized audio detailing sexual assault in his own words.
4. His election kicked women and survivors in the face - clearly stating they didn't matter. A rock bottom out of which has poured an uprising. A growing backlash against the sociocultural 'norms' that allowed us to get here. This is a good thing that came out of something bad.
5. This is the beginning of a culture change. It won’t happen overnight, but it starts with exposure. This is the beginning of the movement - ripping the lid off the culture of silence and shining the light on the ugly truths within.
6. Despite it’s political catalyst, it is not a partisan issue. Yes, Dems have been more pro-women, but misogyny is thoroughly embedded within society. This is a sociocultural issue. An issue of how men treat women and how women have been cultured to persevere in spite of it.
7. Fighting back against this culture is crucial -clearly more than people fully realized. These stories are important, but-and here’s the hard part-it’s also important to preserve some nuance in how we discuss it. Not every accused misdeed relegates the accused to the same pyre.
8. And, no, partisanship is not the deciding factor. It’s not about personal like or dislike. There are common-sense factors that play in to how we publicly approach these issues. I can’t discuss every case, but I want to hit some points recently politicized.
9. Start by recognizing that there’s a difference between socially inappropriate behavior, sexual harassment and sexual assault. While all deserve admonishment, the severity differs. When someone has a history of using their power to engage in the first two, the severity worsens.
10. Also realize, in politics, there is a difference between someone who already holds active office and someone running for office. Multiple allegations for someone running should be campaign-ending. It should’ve ended it for DT. It should end it for Moore.
11. Like it or not, there is a court of public opinion. Clearly there is still due process, but when it comes down to it, these accusations stick. So, this brings us to the practice of settling accusations out of court. High profile people may do this to avoid the issue.
12. We can recognize that might have been the case and simultaneously demand that the practice stops. It is obvious from the cases coming to light that the practice of ‘buying silence’ must end. Women should NEVER sign a gag order.
13. So, going back to the issue of nuance, let’s look at George H.W. Bush. From multiple accounts, he apparently has the habit of putting his hands on women’s buttocks. I’m not a personal fan of Mr. Bush, but I’m also not inclined to label him with sexual assault or harassment.
14. He does propagate a sexist culture where he can engage in socially inappropriate behavior and still get a pass. He does deserve to me called out for it, but not ruined over it. As women, we need to learn how to also firmly admonish inappropriate behavior in the moment.
15. To draw a clear distinction, Moore is accused of pedophilia. These actions are corroborated by more than 30 people. He was banned for a mall, his peers and co-workers have acknowledged his tendencies toward young girls. His vile political persona does little in his defense.
16. Harvey Weinstein has stood accused of sexual assault on many, many fronts and a highly coordinated effort to bully his accusers into silence. The details and numbers stand on their own no matter how many women’s orgs and causes he championed.
17. Does that mean organizations or campaigns that took his money were complicit? Of course, not. The culture of silence prevailed - until now.
18. Hollywood has shown a quick, no-tolerance response to their own when these allegations surface. Probably, in no small part, due to the far-reaching dark web uncovered regarding Weinstein, but it’s not as easy to do that in government offices - nor should it be.
19. In Al Franken’s case, he has apologized and agreed to an ethics investigation. I know some believe he should just immediately resign. That this would mitigate the GOP from calling hypocrisy regarding DT and Moore, but I fear giving into false-equivalence is dangerous.
20. He was a comedian who took a picture pantomiming ‘honking’ a woman’s boobs through a flak jacket. Same woman said he kissed her aggressively during a rehearsal with a scripted kiss. Juvenile? Sure. Inappropriate? Sure. Immediate resignation? I don’t think so.
21. If an investigation into Franken uncovers behavior that is more than inappropriate, then yes, he should resign. And, yes, I see you already responding...remember, this is going to get worse before it gets better.
22. There will be more accusations - some legitimate, some not. All politicized. Some will be shocking and horrific, some will be disappointing. If every accusation results in immediate resignation without investigation that poses a real problem -and becomes a real weapon.
23. The potential misuse of this movement will also drain it’s power and delegitimize the voices that need to be heard. Conyers has stepped down from his position pending investigation of his settled harassment case -this is an appropriate response.
24. It is my suggestion for women to demand that DT’s sexual assault cases be investigated and to demand that the settled Congressional cases be opened and made public. We’re standing on a precipice of change. Stay strong and level-headed. This is just the beginning.
