By Zach Pavlosky | Editor in Chief
Photo by Gage Skidmore
As the #MeToo movement swept away Hollywood heavyweights such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, men in positions of power soon began to question the future of their respective careers. Actors, writers, producers, directors, CEOs, the guy running the craft services table (you never know) were all struck with the same panic inducing thought – “Am I next?” Whether it was a simple hand on the shoulder or a compliment that came off as just a bit too flirtatious, the movement had a seemingly endless supply of ammunition to use against those who abused their power. As the reshaping of the Hollywood power structure forged on, the movement set its’ sights on a new male-dominated medium – news and politics.
Chairman and CEO of Fox News, Roger Ailes, was the first domino to fall. Ailes resigned in July 2016 after being hit with a sexual harassment lawsuit – he later died in 2017. From then on, one by one, they fell. Fox News anchor and host of “The O’Reilly Factor”, Bill O’Reilly, was ousted from the network after allegations of inappropriate behavior. One of the more prominent exits was NBC News and “Today” co-host Matt Lauer. Variety published a story containing sexual harassment allegations against Lauer. The story cited accounts from three unnamed women. Lauer exited due to “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace,” the network announced.
Photo from Wikimedia
Overall, I believe that the #MeToo movement has been a force for good. Nearly every firing and resignation that has occurred over the past two years or so has been deserved. The one resignation that I strongly opposed of was that of former Democratic Senator of Minnesota, Al Franken, who resigned in late 2017 over claims of sexual harassment.
Franken did, however, issue some final thoughts on the matter: Per The New York Times, “I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party,” said Franken.
This sort of a movement should not instill fear in the hearts and minds of young men, but rather inspire them to be better. They don’t need to worry about being a target if they don’t deliberately make themselves targets. Being the best person you can be should be the only concern you have in life; not whether a female colleague wants to date you. Two people who are having a difficult time understanding that are President Donald Trump, and his son, Trump Jr.
During the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, Trump said to reporters, “It is a very scary time for young men in America.”
No, it isn’t.
If anything, young men are being handed free examples of how not to act around women. If not for the movement, powerful men would still assume that they could get away with anything; that their actions would have no consequences.
“It’s a very scary situation where you’re guilty until proven innocent,” said Trump to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. Yet another absurd statement. The evidence of guilt against these men was overwhelming, whereas the evidence of innocence was nowhere to be found (I’m looking at you Jim Jordan).
Trump Jr’s. thoughts on the matter echoed his father’s comments because of course they did.
While being interviewed by the Daily Mail, Trump Jr. was asked if he feared for his sons more than his daughters.
His response will shock you!
I’m just kidding. No, it won’t.
“I mean, right now, I’d say my sons,” Trump Jr. said in the interview. “I’ve got boys, and I’ve got girls. And when I see what’s going on right now, it’s scary.”
Comments like these only further reinforce the fact that men need to be better. Fathers must do more to teach their sons to respect women; at the workplace, in public, at home, everywhere. There is such a thing as toxic masculinity; I know – I live with someone who exhibits it. I’m just glad that none of it rubbed off on me as I was growing up without a mother.
My high school drafting teacher had a saying: “You want to know what a good excuse is? Just another excuse.” Be better.
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