The Good The Bad and the Ugly

The Good The Bad and The Ugly
by
ArLyne Diamond, Ph.D.

#MeToo is doing an enormous amount of good in highlighting what had been on-going and unreported abusive behavior.  No longer will management upon getting a complaint get away with saying “boys will be boys” and “just suck it up.”  No longer will young girls be abused – indeed raped – by those they were taught to trust and respect.  That’s the good.

The Bad – the pendulum has swung too far and every tiny little piece of silliness is being equated with serious abuse and they are all being lumped into one category.  People’s jobs and reputations are being ruined.  Too, we are minimizing the seriousness of serious abuse by lumping clumsy attempts at friendliness or teasing in with them.

The Ugly – this accusation has become a political weapon.  All you have to do is accuse someone and they lose their political clout (and votes) whether running for office or a member of the management team in a company or government office.  We no longer presume innocent until proven guilty.  The accused is painted with the Scarlet Letter.