Forgotten Misconduct
By Alfredo A. Weeks VI
Where have we gone as a society? Rather, what have we actually been ignoring? Tough times for many top politicians, actors and people with power, since all of these accusations of sexual misconduct started to surface. Even though we have subject matters like gun safety and how we are going to save the environment at the top of the list, let’s not forget the misconduct of countless people in power. It shouldn’t be just some trend to speak out and talk about sexual harassment and abuses, it should be a responsibility.
There has been a sense of resilience and strength in the air. Victims and alleged victims of sexual misconduct have began to find their voice on an international level. There was a time where most of these issues where not headlining the news and the victims where the first to get criticized.
Not too long ago, I sat down with Dr. Marlene Carson who is a trailblazer for providing better representation and resources for sex trafficking victims. We had a chance to discuss how my design and creative strategy business could help in various social justice initiatives she is involved in and leading. Dr. Carson is heavily involved in advocating for sex trafficking victims as well as victims of sexual abuse. She offers support, resources and programming aimed at helping victims thrive in life after their horrific past experiences. I was welcomed into her office with a mindset ready to be schooled on the sexual abuse culture of today.
“It really starts from the top.”
Dr. Carson a victim herself mentions how “It really starts from the top”. We’ve seen over the years where people in positions of power get away with things while most of us know we wouldn’t have a chance in the courts of law. Crazy what an expensive lawyer can do.
Dr. Carson’s insight gave me a chance to reflect. As a male I looked at a culture in where males dominate the history of abuse. All the the way back to the Woody Allen allegations there have been countless incidents where people in positions of power just never seem to pay the price the rest of society has too. Look at it for yourself. Photos of former White House Staff Secretary Rob Potter’s former wife show signs of clear abuse, but this guy gets a job until the news gets ahold of it. Now our President is thinking about bringing him back on the team. WTF!!. I begin to realize that even when there is clear evidence of crimes committed nothing seems to happen.
I’m beginning to feel like our societies moral standards are low as hell right now. Leaders of our country from Republicans to Democrats are taking the heat from all of these allegations. Some believe the best thing that could happen is they step down from their positions. To me, that seems completely ludicrous. I understand, that’s the first step into a long process of trying to convict some hot shot who might just spend 6 months in jail and pay a penalty fine at the same amount they would spend on a vacation. I’d say that’s a pretty small price to pay when victims live the rest of their lives with the constant thought of how some guy took advantage of them.
I mean you have people who are trusted by communities, using their positions to lure the vulnerable into comprising situations. My problem with it all is not just that these douche bags are a big part of the problem, but more so how some of us choose to ignore the long lasting effects, not just on the victims, but also the future generations to come.
How can we elect our country’s leaders into office while believing they are not trying to grab an ass every chance they get? Further more, how can we hold HR departments accountable for not reporting complaints in the work place? Too many questions and not enough answers from our leaders.
Just as many predators we have out there, there are three times as many victims who are struggling to deal with their everyday reality. Make these predators pay. Make them pay with hard time as well as their income. Treat these predators the way the Ronald Reagan drug laws destroyed communities.
Then there is the cultural part of things. To a certain degree we have created a culture where the victims are the first to be questioned, as to not have this influential predator worry about their status. I ask all of you. Why is a lie, not a lie, when the truth dosnt matter? Even when we find our truths, it ceases to have an impact once all the hype fades.
My only sense of resolve starts from the beginning. With parents, friends and people who stand as witnesses to harassment and abuses. As a man, I speak to the fathers, husbands, brothers and uncles who are the role models to these boys who are soon to become men. I speak to the male population to stand up and do something about the culture of our men of today and tomorrow.
“We need to have serious talks with our kids about treating people with dignity and respect.”
We, the male population of the world should start by checking that friend who harasses women from the passenger seat of the car. We should report and approach those who add fuel to the fire when it comes to sexual harassment and physical abuse.
As for the fathers, we need to have serious talks with our kids about treating women with dignity and respect. As well as how a standard should be met with people they choose as friends. Fathers should be talking about how speaking up for women doesn’t make you any less of a man, but actauly just the kind men we in these times injustice.
It’s more than a breaking news story for the day. Its more about how it’s never the wrong moment to do the right thing and having our male counterparts become accountable for their actions.
Get over the ego trip. Get over the alpha male gimmick. Get up and and get out, to do the right thing and tell your friends, teammates, bosses, supervisors and everyone else who has a hard time respecting the opposite sex, to cut the crap. It’s time to listen to the victims because it’s been a long rotten history in how our culture chooses to act upon reported abuse of power, sexual and physical misconduct.
