A Woman's Point of View

Let me tell you a little about my history, before the diatribe starts, so please bear with me. I entered the work force, while studying Office Education in high school, late in the 1960's. Now, I understand that this was before the women's right movement, but this is not going to be a rant against male chauvinism.

Back in the day, women were taught office etiquette. We dressed professionally, heels, hosiery and definitely not the low V-necked or tight fitting apparel worn today. You served your male or female, (yes I did female supervisors), boss coffee or tea. It was part of your job.

Maybe, just maybe, I should revisit the past and anonymously complain about the many times I might have felt uncomfortable during work hours. Gracious me, I lived through crushes from all types of various co-workers. Back then, you were generally treated like a lady, if you acted as one. You did not walk past a construction site if you were not strong enough to withstand the catcalls.

Later, I worked in a male dominated field with the husband. Men crack jokes, and if I accidentally overheard, they would apologize, yet there were times that, as in a men’s locker room, if you cannot take the heat, leave! I learned to retort with my own share of comical responses.

My faith taught me that it was sinful to take deliberate offense as well as to offend others deliberately. Now ladies or gentlemen, how many of you have, in a break-room or a lunch-counter, talked about your male/female boss, co-worker, or supervisor in an inappropriate sexual manner. Women are no different than men. Have you ever wondered about someone climbing the corporate ladder and how SHE/HE might have worked her/his way to the top? It happens!

Where is this going, you might be asking. Well, folks, I am fed up with all of the anonymously delayed claims that the so-called news agencies are reporting about Herman Cain. Finally, Sharon Bialek, has come forward with an allegation dating back 14 years. Let’s get real and worry about the issues, not on past-unproven allegations.

The news used to be facts. We all used to purchase the tabloids for rumor and innuendo. Now in today’s world, you cannot tell the difference. It is a real shame that there is a minority of political rumor-mongers posturing as professional journalists.

Inappropriate behavior should not be tolerated, yet these behaviors are subjective. I have felt uncomfortable by just a leering look, or an obvious head-to-toe glance. If a Democratic candidate is behaving inappropriate, these same so-called news agencies do not report it or they dismiss it. Worse yet, most of the time the women involved are publicly crucified for reporting the behavior. Will the media treat Sharon Bialek as they did Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, or Kathleen Willey? Not likely!

Now, do not get the wrong impression, I have a daughter that received inappropriate sexual advances from her supervisor and was financially unable to quit. It caused emotional stress that was acknowledged by her physician. Her doctor filled out appropriate documentation, which she took to the business owner. The behavior stopped! She continued in her job.

So, ladies or gentlemen, if this happens, follow appropriate procedures, document it and move on with your life.

Have we not all learned that sexual behavior in the Whitehouse, with DNA evidence, did not disqualify the sitting President Clinton. Oh, that’s right, he was exempt from criticism as he is a Democrat. Hmm…what of the rumors of a sexual discrimination case currently in the courts against Congressman Jessie Jackson. Where is the reporting of the criminal case of false political finance reporting that John Edwards is facing. Where is the factual news?