Harrasment The Other Way
Q: I work in a department that has a long tradition of feminism,
anti-authoritarianism, and social activism. The feminist
element is quite strong and vocal. For the most part men and
women get along rather well. Because the feminist movement
is locally empowered there is a proliferation of literature,
posters, flyers and pamphlets. Newspaper articles are stuck
to walls, doors and billboards. The tone of much of the recent
output seems to be pretty plain in accusing men of being
generally guilty of oppression, sexism and harrasment.
Do the displays of such materials constitute sexual harrasment
given that there are areas within the department that I simply won't
go because the atmosphere is so negative. I get the feeling
that I am tolerated because I don't act like "those" men. Yet
there is also the feeling that despite the fact that I am not abusive,
harrassing or violating anyone that I should still see this stuff
because I remain a "male" and that I share some amorphous guilt
based solely on my gender. Somehow this stuff is supposed to be
good for me.
I find it distasteful and when I have said so I have gotten
looks like I just coughed up a puppy. Outside of the department
I was told that women can't harrass because they have no power.
This was told me by a woman who likes to torment her lovers with
sexual innuendo, leading them into states of arousal and then
chiding them for being foolish boys. She uses her sexuality
to control and intimidate her lovers.
Am I over-sensitive for feeling uncomfortable under the weight of
what I call propaganda?
A:No; the fact that you can't deal with it is *your* problem, and furthermore
shows how men are so unwilling to deal with the guilt which they rightfully
deserve for keeping women at a social level lower than most animals and....
This is the kind of response you're likely to get. It's unfortunate.
I feel much the same way about my campus newspaper, which