My #MeToo moments, and why the movement matters.
There has been a lot of talk about the #MeToo movement.
Some, including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Catherine Deneuve and Vladimir Putin, have decried it as a ‘Witch hunt’, a ‘Conspiracy’ or — ironically — ‘insulting to women’ on the basis that it treats them like children incapable of setting boundries.
Here’s a hint: #MeToo is less about setting boundries than it is about calling out the people who ignore said boundaries, then use their power and influence to get away with it.
Some men, and even a few women, have posted angry online rants about how men will no longer be able to talk or shake hands with a woman without fearing accusations of harassment. Others claim ‘mixed signals’ and ‘toxic femininity’ are ruining lives.
Here’s another hint: If you can’t tell the difference between basic interaction with someone of a different gender and sexual harassment, maybe you’re part of the problem.
That is not to say that some socially-inept people can’t make well-intentioned remarks that come out creepy, or not recognise when someone is uncomfortable around them, but there is a key difference. When a socially-inept person makes such a mistake and has it pointed out, they are most likely to be horrified, instantly apologise and back off.
Those who do it on purpose are more likely to…
