Friday, September 21, 2018

Boys Will Be Held Accountable For Their Actions

Boys will be boys. I am not familiar with a corresponding phrase for girls. Maybe that is because "boys will be boys" is an excuse we make for otherwise deplorable behavior. It has become a built-in aphorism that sits in the same pocket as "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." It is supposed to sound like wisdom, but it is really a way to keep things stuck. Stuck on bad.
How bad? We have a nominee for Supreme Court Justice who has been accused of sexual assault. I have already heard all the rationalization imaginable leading up to this from other high profile cases. What? A guy can't make a mistake? Way back then? What was she doing there in the first place? It's not like he killed anyone, right?
Let me take those in order: Yes, a guy can make a mistake. And every mistake will have an impact on the life that guy will lead ever after. Way back then or five minutes ago, "no" means "no," and a crime is still a crime, statute of limitations do not expunge the violation. If an assault took place, it would seem that what she was doing there was being a victim. That's how these things work. No, he didn't kill anyone. He killed expectations and dreams and a part of all the souls that he touched through his actions.
Boys will be boys.
Give me a break.
And yes, it needs to be pointed out that this is by no means the only person in this position. Les Moonves, former CEO of CBS, is no longer the CEO of CBS after resigning his position after six women came forward, alleging sexual harassment. These women told stories of abuse, assault, and ultimately career death by manipulation. For this, Moonves was awarded a severance package, still being negotiated at this time, but is rumored to be in the neighborhood of one hundred million dollars.
Boys will be boys.
And ain't that a shame?

1 comment:

Kristen Caven said...

And plus! There's no such word as "womanhandling."