No, it is not a “Lynching”
Please do not minimize these women’s experiences.
I am a dyed in the wool progressive. No one who knows me, even very casually, could ever possibly think otherwise. Having said that, I’ve been finding it troubling that Occupy Democrats — and those who choose to share and defend their meme — have taken a page out of Clarence Thomas’s playbook by using the word “lynch” when discussing the charges and call for an investigation now faced by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Words matter. They mattered when Thomas used the word “lynch” to describe the investigation into his alleged sexual misconduct, and they matter now. And people’s actions matter.
Governor Cuomo’s alleged behavior is inappropriate in work environments, especially when perpetrated by a man in a powerful position on younger woman who work under — either directly or indirectly — his authority. His alleged actions have gone far beyond asking a young woman if he could kiss her, at this point. He should know better, and be held to a high standard. A full and open investigation should go forth, and these women should be taken seriously. That is not a “lynching”.
I have been told — even by another woman — that I am overreacting. I have had black men and women dig in, defending the meme and Gov. Cuomo — people who would never defend the use of casual racist comments directed toward them by a superior in the workplace. We don’t excuse casual racist comments, even if as, incredulously, one friend told me, “Italians are touchy feely people”. I lived in New York City for almost two decades when I was young, and found that, unfortunately, Italians have also been known to make racist comments. Sometimes they were oblivious, but more and more I find that privilege often manifests as utter obliviousness, which should not excuse it. White privilege has existed in workplaces — we no longer tolerate it — and male privilege exists in workplaces, too. We should no longer tolerate it, either.
I have been in toxic work environments and situations like the ones these women are describing. I had an immediate superior ask me awkward questions and make embarrassing statements about what he perceived to be my intimate life. I had the head of my department — in a very male dominated profession — touch me in a shockingly inappropriate way, in front of other men in the room. When I spoke up, my concerns and feelings were minimized. The men suffered no consequences, but my life in that workplace became very uncomfortable. With no support, and in fact, suspicion and hostility directed toward me, I did not handle the situation well. I eventually left the very good paying job. I paid a financial cost — in the short and long term, as well as an emotional one, as these things stay with you. It is painful and harmful to experience this, regardless of where it comes from, even when the someone acting in an inappropriate manner is someone some of us have lionized as being a hero, on “our side”.
Women are often expected to play along, not make a fuss, overlook the behavior (“boys will be boys”) — a tacit deal made in order to get ahead, to climb the career ladder. Please do not minimize these women’s experiences. Sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment are against the law — a very hard fought win for women who have felt violated for generations, and something the chief executive officer of a state should realize.
