What's Fair?

The rape trial that started the "Me Too," movement is scheduled to start next week and the defense lawyer is concerned that her client, Harvey Weinstein, won't get a fair trial because of all of the negative publicity surrounding the case, including the movement. 

Aw, poor Harvey.  I wonder if it has occurred to him that "Me Too," wouldn't  have happened if he didn't use his power and  take advantage of women.  What he is accused of wasn't fair to the women bringing charges.  But, I guess that what is not fair for women isn't as important as what is not fair for Harvey. 

A month or so ago, I saw the film clip of the female newscaster who was on air covering a race when a male runner came up behind her and slapped her on the butt.  She was visibly upset and actually stopped the broadcast for a minute to get her composure back.    There she was, just doing her job, and some random guy decides he had the right to slap her butt--the right to touch her body.  This has bothered me for quite awhile.  Why do some men think they have the right to impose their will on women?  Why do they think it's OK to touch a woman just because they want to?  

The runner turned out to be a youth minister and boy scout leader.  I'm not sure if he still holds those positions, but I'm really sure I would not want him in a position of authority teaching my sons anything.   A boy scout leader?  Really?    

Tony and I talked about it and he said it was a power thing.  But, what "power" did this runner  have?  None.  Maybe he wanted his face on TV for a few seconds, who knows?  But, apparently in his mind, he had the right to slap this woman on the butt.  That's different than power.   

Last week, we saw the movie, "Bombshell," about the Fox News executive, Roger Ailes, who is accused of sexual harassment of 23 known victims.  In the  movie if a woman said no to his advances she would  be demoted or even fired.  What gave him "the right?"  Power?  A penis?  Please.  How about a sense of superiority?

Where and when will it end?  What has to happen so that these type of men understand that not every woman in the world is infatuated with their penis?  When is it going to dawn on men who use their penis like a weapon that this is not acceptable?  It can't be soon enough.     

I am too old now to be sexually harassed in the workplace, but I am afraid for Ellie, Alex and Emma.  Will this mindset still be an issue when they enter the workforce?   Will this perceived "right" to touch a woman still be prevalent?  I hope not.  But, I also hoped that the gender wage gap would disappear by the time Jenna was working and that didn't happen.  

I'm glad women have started to end the silence on unwanted sexual advances by  "power players."  I hope they continue to use their voices and the legal system to send the message that no one has the right to touch a woman for their own pleasure or purpose without her consent.  I hope Harvey gets convicted and goes to prison.  Maybe there he will experience what he did to the women accusing him of rape.

I wonder how he will react?  I wonder how he will deal with the prison "power players" when he is down on his knees.    Will he say, "that's not fair?"  Will he say, "stop."

Maybe, but I'm guessing they won't stop just like he didn't.  Oddly enough, that to me seems fair.