Now is an appropriate time to have a serious discussion about sexual harassment. Dozens of celebrities have come forward to reveal their stories of sexual harassment, assault and rape. Louis C.K. and Kevin Spacey are just a sample of the latest household names who have been accused. Further, the viral Me Too hashtag has given confidence to millions of victims to follow suit on social media.
Here’s the thing. Celebrities like C.K. and Spacey quickly lost their jobs and credibility. The same goes for Harvey Weinstein, Terry Richardson and so on. Outside of the Hollywood bubble, Alabama state judge Roy Moore was recently accused of sexual misconduct with multiple minors.
If the allegations are true, President Donald Trump said Moore “will do the right thing and step aside.”
That’s a funny thing to say if you happen to recall the numerous accusations of sexual harassment against Trump. Remember the “grab ‘em by the pussy” comment? What a class act. Why hasn’t he lost his job? Why was his “locker room talk” swept under the rug? Why isn’t he doing the right thing and stepping aside?
To put it another way, Trump said during an interview on The Howard Stern Show that he could “get away with things like that.”
That’s the thing about privilege. While other high profile figures continue to face the consequences of their action, people like Trump continue to get away with it.
The truth is, there will be less media coverage of sexual harassment as time goes by. That’s the nature of the new media, it’s fickle. Despite that, it’s important for us to continue this discussion rather turn a blind eye. By doing so, we can create a more welcoming environment for those who feel inclined to share their stories.
