03_05_2020

Grateful To Those Who Show Courage

I have been reminded in recent weeks of those in our midst who demonstrate tremendous acts of courage.  Leading the pack are women who have been in the news recently.  March is the designated month in which we acknowledge women’s achievements, so it seems appropriate to share my thoughts on women who come to mind.

I facilitate a Social Action Book Club in my local Parish.  We select books that increase our understanding and awareness of issues that are central to the health and wellness of all of us.  Our recent selection focused on the two women investigative reporters from the New York Times who wrote She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement.

For those unfamiliar with the book, it lays out the step-by-step path that the authors – Jodi Kanter and Megan Twohey – pursued in order to uncover the truth about Harvey Weinstein’s treatment of women.  The reporters were intent on not just getting to the truth about Weinstein as a sexual predator; they wanted to expose the existence of systems put in place to allow these atrocious acts to continue.

Readers quickly discover the role that power and money play in forcing the victims of sexual aggression into silence.  As incidents are revealed, the victims are “bought off” with financial settlements that require them to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).  Kanter and Twohey’s research shows how Weinstein preyed on young women in particular, and because of his perceived power in Hollywood, he made it clear to those he assaulted that he could and would control their futures if they didn’t sign the settlement agreements.

If you can remember how vulnerable you might have felt in your early twenties as you were trying to launch a career and support yourself, it is easier to understand why these young women might decide their best way forward was to accept financial settlements while remaining silent about their experience.

I am gobsmacked when I listen to the range of comments the American Public has had to absorb from those accused in the last several years.  Recall in October 2016, weeks before the presidential election, when the Hollywood Access tapes were released.  Candidate Trump was quoted as saying, “I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. … Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.” By his own words, he revealed himself as a sexual predator, but when questioned in the next presidential debate as to whether or not he had ever done what he was describing, he brushed his comments off as simply “locker room talk.”

What message is being transmitted to men and women when the now president of the United States continues to signal his position that it is absolutely okay for “boys to be boys.”  Women – like Dr. Christine Blasey Ford – who put themselves on the line to hold men responsible for their behavior are accused of ruining men’s careers.

Back to the debt of gratitude that I feel we all owe to Kanter and Twohey.  I was riveted to the stories they shared on the lengths they had to go to track down women and men who were willing to help them build the story that revealed the persistent pattern of sexual abuse that Weinstein and others have exhibited.

The authors put their own lives at risk as well as their families.  I am not surprised that they were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for their work, but I took note that the award for their efforts fell in the category of Public Service.  By exposing the depth to which past practices have allowed these sexual predators buy their way out of the harm they’ve inflicted on others, the authors have made us more aware of the extent of such cover-up practices.

Reading this book while Weinstein’s trial took place heightened my awareness of the courageous and persistent efforts that these two authors made in order to reveal information that has been difficult to uncover.

I am more aware of the anguish that Dr. Ford went through about testifying before Congress as well as the day-to-day dangers and impact that her coming forward has had on her life.   But her example reminds me of the courage demonstrated by the women who were willing to take risks and testify against Weinstein.

Moving to politics, witnessing the intense scrutiny that Senator Elizabeth Warren has had to face as a presidential candidate, I have also been reminded of her courage and dedication to public service.  She is by far one of the brightest of the presidential candidates, yet she has been continuously netted in constraining criticisms about her “electability” quotient.  She, too, has shown great courage in how she has conducted herself and stayed true to her message in the face of ongoing criticism.

Lest I be accused of gender bias, I would also like to acknowledge “Mayor Pete’s” courage in coming forward and establishing himself as the first openly gay candidate running for president.  He not only demonstrated courage, but he also provided us with an example of a bright, centered, well-informed candidate who wasn’t afraid to present a different approach to politics.  I loved the words written by NYT’s columnist Frank Bruni in reference to Buttigieg’s remarks announcing his withdrawing of his candidacy.  Buttigieg said: “Politics at its worst is ugly. But at its best, politics can lift us up. It is not just policymaking. It is moral. It is soul craft.” At his best, Buttigieg demonstrated that.

Let us remind ourselves and be nourished by examples of others’ courageousness and public service in our lives.  Taking time to appreciate the “goodness and decency” of these individuals can give our genes an infusion of hope and a path to a better world ahead.

Are there things that we ordinary folk can do to say, “Thank You?”  Yes, I think there are some simple things we can all do.  When the Weinstein verdict was announced, I stopped what I was doing and picked up the phone to call the NYT.  I was greeted by a very helpful young man, who while he didn’t know the answer to my presenting question on how I could send the two investigative reporters an acknowledgement of my gratitude, he shared that he didn’t know but if I were willing to be placed on hold, he would find out.  He came back on the line in a few minutes and gave me  very clear directions on how I could send them a message.

After the Kavanaugh hearing ended, I sent a Thank You note to Dr. Ford care of the college where she was working.  On a lighter but innovative note, I read in today’s paper that students at Harvard were writing Thank You notes to Senator Warren and placing them all around her faculty portrait that hangs in the halls of the University.