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Another storm: sexual harassment allegations

Writer: Paul Kay  | Editor: Jane Chen  | From:  | Updated: 2017-12-04

Email of the writer: paulkaylc@live.com

On Nov. 29, a veteran journalist and co-host of the “Today” show on NBC, the U.S. broadcasting company, was fired from his job for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.”

From this latest event, and by going back to recent similar allegations against numerous individuals, all of whom are in a position of power from government to private sectors, from millionaires to celebrities, and all famous, the trend seemingly shows endlessness! The flow of these allegations began when a series of bombshell investigations were published by the New York Times and other outlets regarding an egregious pattern of sexual assault by the veteran Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Following this, the storm began. Congressmen, news anchors, TV show hosts, scores of actors, news executives, film producers and directors, a U.S. Gymnastics team doctor, and latest, Matt Lauer, the “Today” show host of NBC. All the allegations, from sexual comments and unwanted advances to assault and rape, were made by women who were mostly teenagers at the time, beginning decades ago.

There are a few questions lingering: why these women waited until now, why all unreported, why no actions were taken if reported, why these assaults continued, why each accused manipulated multiple women, but most importantly, why these men behaved the way they did! One word describes the wonders: “Culture!”

There are many cultures, or human habits embodying certain behaviors, involved in this issue. First and foremost is the culture of “power” in the form of status, wealth, connections and authority. This enables people to look down upon, impose upon and take advantage of the vulnerable, as the above examples indicate. Second is the culture of gender inequality. The victims almost entirely are women. Third is the assumption of “invincibility,” allowing for a lack of fear for the men in power. Fourth is the culture of “fear” among the victims, fearful of losing jobs or opportunities, revenge, or losing face.

Unbelievably, shockingly and in a humiliating manner, these unacceptable behaviors have been exercised at the highest, very top levels of the country as well. Former President Bill Clinton committed one of the ugliest forms of a sexual activity inside the Oval Office, with the consent of the female intern. Throughout history, some other presidents had also allegedly had the reputation of engaging in extramarital affairs, including the late President Kennedy.

At this moment, the highest office of the land, the office of the presidency of the United States is occupied by the individual who himself has been accused of having had multiple sexual advances and assaults, by multiple women, dated as early as decades ago, to as late as within a few years. Sexual allegations against Donald Trump came out in a torrent during the presidential campaign in 2016.

Most of the recently accused, the celebrities, senators, producers, directors and actors, have admitted and apologized, and all of the accused network personnel have been immediately terminated, merely by the revelations of the allegations.

Then one wonders what happened to those accusations about Trump? Why were they all pushed under the rug, silenced, ignored or totally made disappear?

Let’s not forget that for every one sexual allegation that is brought up in the United States, there are thousands more that are not revealed, and never will. Those who admitted and apologized are actually sorry they were caught, otherwise, once a predator, always a predator; sexual exploitation is already embedded in their corrupt minds. This bacteria and infection is literally from top to bottom. Maybe after all, the label of “culture” fits the current atmosphere, perfectly and fairly. Maybe the phrase “justice for all” should be questioned and replaced with “justice for some.” Or, maybe justice is blind in this society!

(The author is a retired American educator with a Ph.D. in business administration residing in Shenzhen.)