Respecting women

The idea that if a women dresses in a “certain way” that she is “asking for it” upsets me to no end.
It is simply an excuse to justify sexual harassment and assault.
It is wrong.

A guest editorial in the Norwich Bulletin, my local paper, today is titled, “Half-naked actresses warn against sexual harassment.”

It speaks of the recent Golden Globe awards and the number of actresses who spoke out against sexual harassment.
It states, “Lots of pretty actresses appeared half-naked, posing in turn for photographs, embodying the sexual temptation on which the industry is built, but this time their skimpy clothing was colored black as a protest against the supposedly unwanted sexual interest they were striving to tempt.”

“Supposedly” unwanted sexual interest?

The editorial disgusted me.

The editorial goes on to criticize CT State Senator Mae Flexor for her efforts to protect victims.
Senator Flexor has been a champion of victims of domestic and sexual abuse and should be praised for her efforts, not criticized.

Let me be very clear.
Sexual harassment and assault is not about sex.
It is about domination, it is about control.

Any inference that “pretty women” dressing in “skimpy clothing” is the problem is a further attempt of males to exert control.
It’s equivalent to saying a young black male wearing a hoody is asking to be shot.
Give me a break!

Women have the right to dress nicely, they have the right to fix up their hair, do up their nails, wear makeup and heals, without inviting sexual advances, let alone sexual harassment, sexual assault, or criticism that they may be the problem.

On top of that, evening gowns are as appropriate dress for the Golden Globes as tuxedos.

Whenever we treat another human being as an object that we can denigrate or control (be they women, Haitians, Africans, or people of color) we diminish our own humanness.
Our society needs to reject the hateful ideas of this guest writer, as it must reject the hateful ideas of our president, and embrace love and respect for all people.