The Sexual Harassment Epidemic

I have written about sexual harassment many times.  Sexual harassment is in the forefront again, after women harassed by famous men have finally come forward. I want to look at this problem from a different perspective. What are the characteristics of a harasser?  Admittedly, I am no psychological expert, but as a discrimination lawyer, this is what I have observed:

1.  Harassers need to feel powerful because they are insecure, cowardly people;

2.  Harassers do not like women, in fact they may hate women;

3.  Harassers can rationalize their behavior, blaming the victim or claiming the conduct was mutual;

4.  Harassers are bullies, who pick on women whom they think are vulnerable and won’t blow the whistle on them.

Oftentimes, women, who are most likely to suffer from sexual harassment, suffer in silence, afraid of repercussions, real or imagined. It is hard for any victim of any discrimination to come forward. The victims do not realize that there are probably many others who have suffered because of this person. They think they are alone and feel vulnerable. The victims do not want to be blamed, do not want to be disbelieved, and fear being ostracized or even fired. So, sexual harassment can go on for years because the victims feel isolated and too afraid to come forward.

It’s good that some actresses finally came forward about Harvey Weinstein. It’s sad that it took them decades to do so. Hopefully, the actresses’ courage will embolden other women.  People do the right thing, if you make them.

What’s The Matter With Gray Hair?

My hair is a shiny white/silver color, much more white than brown.  The color is beautiful, even if I sound less than humble. The only problem is that gray hair adorns older crowns and is synonymous with old age.  We don’t like older people, or at least how older people look. What’s wrong with being old?

I do not feel old at 65.  While I am not at spry as in my youth, I am more content, more confident and less conflicted. I enjoy my work, my family and my life. I appreciate beauty. I appreciate art and nature. While I have less memory for proper names, my ability to reason seems intact. And, I have lots of experiences about which I have learned many lessons.

While I get that youth provides possibilities, I do not understand why we knock aging. Hopefully, as we age, we get wiser and more centered.  Losing one’s faculties seems horrific, but hopefully that may not happen, or if it does, it’s years away.

I think it’s ludicrous that we have to protect employees over 40 from age discrimination. Being 40 is like being 15, with a great many possibilities. We stereotype older people as being set in their ways, narrow-minder and averse to technology. While stereotypes may occasionally be accurate, oftentimes they are not.

In any event, I love my shiny whitish/silvery hair. The wrinkles are fine, too.

How This Messed Up World Creates Business For Discrimination Lawyers

Since November last year, I have noticed an increase in racial discrimination and harassment, sexual harassment, and other discrimination cases.  It makes me sad.  Every day some famous man is fired for engaging in years of sexually harassing os sexually abusive conduct.

I believe that most people are kind, compassionate and giving.  But those other ones, the minority of folks who are insecure, inhumane, and petty, are sure more visible right now.  Most men do not treat women in the vile ways of Matt Lauer, Louis CK, Harvey Weinstein and the like.  But, there are enough people who abuse power, who are evil, who denigrate others, that we have a serious societal dilemma.

I know we, collectively, are better than this.  I hope so, anyway.