There is a great deal of confusion in society right now about how to deal with the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
International Women’s Day, which is today (March 8) seems a good time to look at where things stand.
Allegations are swirling around many prominent and not-so-prominent men.
People have lost their jobs or social standing.
Some are being investigated for criminal activity related to victims’ revelations.
There will be countless criminal and civil court cases by victims empowered by #MeToo and #TimesUp.
In short, this is about women and hopefully men who care about respect and dignity, standing up and saying they disagree with a whole lot of things that have just been considered part of everyday life in the past.
They are objecting to a spectrum of behaviours that range in severity from verbal abuse right up to sexual assault and murder.
These behaviours all come down to an attempt to diminish a person based on gender.
Not sure how to act in this new era?
There’s an easy litmus test. Think of the person you respect most in the world – be it a loved one or celebrity.
If that person was in the room with you, would you still make that same sexist comment or vulgar gesture or social media posting or unwanted sexual advance?
As for those who resent having to change their language or actions so that other around them are not made uncomfortable or humiliated, buck up, snowflake.
You’ll get used to it.
Women have a head start by several thousand years. Ask them how.