Complicity or picking apart the tragedy

For quite a while now we have been inundated by stories of sexual harassment. It is clearly a sad commentary on our society, pulling the curtain back on many unsavory issues that run across ideological lines. even those who are self-styled and revered social justice warriors have fallen to this tragedy.

One such of many:

The fall of the mighty continues.

This story is not unique given the ubiquitous recent reports but contains elements that highlight some things that must be considered and said.

- First, can we please not say that this is a problem with men?  Just like we are repeatedly admonished to never assume that terrorism is a problem of all Muslims and crime is a problem of all blacks, this is not all men.  In fact, although a minority, there have been complaints of men being harassed and assaulted as well - by other men.  This is a problem of men in power, men who see themselves as entitled, as untouchable, above law and common decency.  Men who preach morality, who say "Do as I say, not as I do."  This is a sad reflection of our culture's hero worship, its idolatry of celebrity and power - especially men in power.  It is an undesirable effect of considering the opinions and persona of such people critical and important.  While clearly less egregious, it is not dissimilar from the idea that NFL athletes have that they can do as they wish and no one will mind, no one can disagree. This is supported by the fact that reports almost universally say "everyone knew".  What subculture supports this kind of behavior?

- Second, and related stories such as the one recounted at the link above also evidence how passive and subservient people can be to those they see as in power. Again, this is not all women - this is certain women with certain men (more on that later).  The story details a nauseating tableau in which Lauer has a switch built into his desk with which he can lock his door (who the fuck does that?), a married woman in her 40s complies with Lauer's demand that she unbutton her blouse (and we worry about predators with our daughters?) and is then willing to endure being taken "doggy style" (my words) over his desk until she passes out on the floor and is taken by him to a nurse (who either could not figure this out, was not told, or did not care that this woman had been screwed into unconsciousness).  Then this story was not told for 16 years.

      Consider how this happens without the easy reversion to "well, it's men asshole!".  A culture that reveres and apparently submits to men in power creates a desire for power in those who want to dominate others and a sense of entitlement in those men who achieve it.  That a man, such as Lauer, Weinstein, Spacey, and so on did not question their own actions tells this story.  Consider who among men is drawn into such a world of wealth, power, politics; consider who, among women, may also be drawn into such a world and believes they must comply with such behavior, submit to such brutality, and hide it from the world. Just as a man may, 16 years later, express contrition for his acts, so a woman, who played that game years ago, might also now see it through a different lens. This is not meant to blame a victim, merely to highlight the subculture that suborns such behavior.
      Certain men may be drawn to such roles, but certain women are also likely drawn to their part is this tragic play.  I feel assured that the women I know in my life (and if they are with me, they were not drawn to power or wealth ;<)) would not have sat there timidly when the door was locked, would not have unbuttoned their blouse on command, and so forth.  Has no one taught the unfortunate victim(s) that she need not submit to power and that a "grab and rip" would have quickly stopped this sex act - prior to unconsciousness?