Let me begin by saying this is strictly an opinion piece. I am not reporting any facts or claiming anything mentioned in this post is true. This is simply my take on some things I have read today.
Chances are you know someone who has been sexually assaulted or sexually harassed in their lifetime. If you think you don't, then you have probably been kept in the dark about what many (if not most) women have had a brush with at one point or another.
If you haven't heard anything about the Harvey Weinstein shake-up in hollywood you must have been hiding under a really big rock. It's difficult not to be bombarded with these stories when you turn on the tv, radio, read twitter.... it is everywhere. Although it is overwhelming, I am glad this is getting so much attention. For many of us this is (or has been) a reality we just simply have to deal with. "Boys will be boys" is often an excuse given for male sexual aggression while women are labeled sluts and whores. The H.W. story strikes a painful cord with me. But the bell had to be rung and I am grateful to these very very brave women who are coming forward with their horror stories. And also to those who are listening.
Today I read an article that bugged me for a very different reason. An actress has claimed that former president George Bush sexually assaulted her by putting his had on her bottom during a photo and told her a dirty joke. Now mind you, I am no conservative and have no reason to blindly defend Mr. Bush. But this story just doesn't sit right with me. Maybe it's because I have been around many seniors in wheelchairs and yes their hands unknowingly brush places that would otherwise have made me uncomfortable. I've had many elderly people, men AND women, tell me dirty jokes. In my opinion they do this because the older they get the less they hold to their inhibitions. Things that offended them when they were 30, 40, and 50 seem funny to them, because now they find the world and themselves just a little less serious.
And yes I am going to bring up the lawsuit Taylor Swift won against the DJ. In my opinion it seems like that guy was doing exactly what she accused him of doing. It wasn't a dirty joke. It wasn't a brush on the bottom. He groped her and the court agreed he did. Good for her.
So why do I have a hard time accepting this story about George Bush? I do not have all the facts. This story stemmed from one instagram post that was later deleted from what I understand. After the hundreds of stories I have heard this week, why don't I allow this one to hold any water?
I am in no way saying it is ok for anyone to put their hands on anyone else without their permission. It is NEVER ok to play grab-ass, boob brush, or any other sexually charged touching of another person. It is NEVER ok to use position or power to harass or persuade anyone into a sexual situation. PERIOD.
Is placing your hand on someone's bottom sexual assault? Does using that term to describe this kind of action take credence away from someone who was raped? What do you think?
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