~A Brief Examination of the Effect of Identity Politics on Sexual Harassment Claims~
The last year has been marked by a revolution of sorts; men formerly in positions of power, prestige, and influence have been felled and ousted by the dozens, embroiled in past and present actions of sexual misconduct, abuse, and harassment. Some of these actions have been singular and predate the current climate by decades, whereas others have been prolonged and lingering. No doubt, many persist still today.
Media paragons (such as Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Matt Lauer, and Kevin Spacey), prominent elected officials (such as Al Franken, Wesley Goodman, and Donald Trump), and men formerly trusted to operate in sensitive positions (such as Larry Nassar) have been caught up in a sweeping tide of justice and reparation for sexual abuse, harassment, and enablement.
And, pardon my French, but it’s about damn time. While it is sad and discouraging that speaking out against perpetrators of sexual misconduct necessitates such a large-scale “campaign” or “movement”, it is refreshing to see the tide of public opinion shift in favor of the protection of those exposed and vulnerable to sexual abuse and towards justice for those who have committed acts of sexual harassment.
But we’ve got a long way to go.
Recently, as I was scrolling through my Twitter feed, I encountered a post which read "The current campaign against sexual harassment must include removing Donald Trump from office". A quick check of this individual's profile indicated that this Twitter user had voted for and ardently supported Hillary Clinton during the 2016 general presidential election.
Here's why that's a problem.
Allow me to begin by saying that I don't disagree with the sentiment expressed in this tweet. Sexual predators and individuals who have committed acts of sexual harassment or participated in and subjected others to sexual violence must be held accountable for their misdeeds. They must be dealt with austerely so as to send a message to the rest of the world that any imposition of sexuality, sexual desire, or sexual control/dominance whatsoever will not be tolerated in our society. I am thoroughly exhausted of the countless stories like that of Brock Turner, wherein judges, afraid of ruining or inhibiting a "potentially bright future", hand down sentences and punishments which are more apt to someone who has graffitied a train car than someone who has raped a woman behind a dumpster on a college campus. It is with disturbing frequency that we witness virtual acquittal for verifiable perpetrators, and victims walking away dissatisfied with the hollow and empty justice they are forced to accept. It is no justice at all.
Ending the prevalence of sexual violence, abuse, and harassment, then, must begin by recognizing those who have caused and enabled it and by demanding that they pay for their wrongdoings. And it must begin by recognizing and demanding this from all of them. Our behavior here must apply universally; we cannot be selective on the basis of political affiliation, gender, or race.
Sexual predators are sexual predators. All of them. Every single one. And they must be treated equally under the law: deserving of severe consequences which will collectively discourage sexual assault and harassment in the future.
And yet we are willing and prepared to overlook and blatantly disregard evidence of sexual misconduct because of our alignment with the policies and positions of the individuals in question. It doesn’t take a whole lot of digging to find examples of this.
When Bill Clinton was accused of sexual misconduct in 1998, the conservative response was complete outrage; when Trump was accused in 2016, the conservative response was silence. Flip the coin, and consider that when Donald Trump was accused of sexual harassment in the course of events leading up to the general presidential election in 2016, the liberal reaction was total outrage; when Hillary Clinton was accused of covering up, baselessly discrediting, shaming, and bullying her husband's legitimate victims into silence, the liberal response was to do and say nothing.
This inconsistency is not unique to either or any side of the political spectrum, and it highlights a disturbing cultural tendency to pick and choose who we believe simply on the basis of our political or ideological predispositions. Supporters of Donald Trump were and are far more concerned with the disgusting and abusive sexual exploits of Bill Clinton than they ever have been with the admitted actions of our current Chief Executive. After perjury charges related to questions regarding his sexual conduct, Republicans impeached Clinton and cried for his removal from office. Where is this fierce moral insistence and desire to protect women on the part of Republicans today? Where are the conservative champions of moral purism and sexual purity in politics? Why have we not questioned Trump and demanded he be made accountable for his wrongdoings? Why have we not held him to the identical standard to which we held President Bill Clinton?
Liberal adversaries of Donald Trump are correct to point this out. And yet, in spite of credible and compelling evidence which has surfaced demonstrating that Hillary Clinton, the self-appointed and acclaimed “champion of women”, enabled and covered up her husband’s various extramarital exploits and plethora of abusive pursuits, she won the popular vote in 2016 by several million votes. This was largely due to the actions and decisions of the very same people who spoke out against Trump’s despicable attitude and conduct towards women.
To summarize: Bill Clinton admitted to sexual misconduct and held office. Donald Trump admitted to sexual harassment and got elected. Hillary Clinton has demonstrably attempted to destroy the lives of her husband's accusers and those deemed political threats, and she won the 2016 popular vote.
Both of these reactions are symptomatic of a very real, very pervasive problem which arguably will not end until both sides are willing to discuss their own biases and prejudices, and then eliminate them. Our inconsistency damages not only those who have been abused, but also those who will. Our weak court sentences and selective, preferential silence and blindness not only exhibits incredible inefficacy, but is also indicative of an entirely irresponsible and callous attitude towards a pressing issue.
Donald Trump is guilty, and he should be treated as such. Bill and Hillary Clinton are guilty, and they should be treated as such. For either side to remain silent in the face of sexual abuse and the enablement of said abuse on the basis of personal preference is gross negligence and a reprehensible denial of truth and justice. As long as identity politics is a pretext to overlook sexual misconduct and as long as we allow it to shape our opinions of accusers, we will always ignore half of the victims of sexual abuse; namely, we will pay no heed to any individual making a claim against "our guy".
This is a travesty.
Sexual harassment is sexual harassment. Sexual predators are sexual predators. Enablers are enablers. Do not vote for any of them. Do not support, encourage, or endorse any of them.
And when women speak out at long last, listen to them. Listen to all of them.
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