A New Take on Sexual Harassment

On April 19, 2017, Bill O’Reilly, one of the most successful journalists, authors and commentators in American history lost his job at Fox News because he allegedly sexually assaulted some women. 

In 2016, another Fox employee, Roger Ailes, Fox’s head honcho, who built the network into the premier news network in the world, also had to resign for similar reasons. 

These men, who apparently sexually harassed one or more women, lost their jobs, their careers and probably a lot of friends. 

Of course, I am personally opposed to sexual harassment.  In fact, I feel that if a male is convicted of it, he should receive the ultimate penalty.  No, not mere execution, the Triple – Castigation, Castration, and Crucifixion, in that order.  A perpetrator receiving the Triple C will never sexually harass anyone again.

Recently, I noticed that not everyone is punished for the offenses allegedly committed by O’Reilly and Ailes.  In August 2019, during a party, formerly beautiful movie star, Katy Perry allegedly grabbed at least two unsuspecting females and thrust her (Katy’s, not the victims’) tongue down each victim’s throat.  Many would consider this an act of sexual harassment or, at minimum, the creation of a hostile party environment.

At about the same time, former model, liberal political commentator and serious objective newsperson, Don Lemon, in front of at least two witnesses, reached into his underwear, rubbed his genitals with his hand and then thrust it (his hand, not his genitals) into the face of a male bartender who he found attractive.    Many would also consider this an act of sexual harassment, or, at minimum, the creation of a hostile barroom environment.

Strangely, neither Perry nor Lemon were punished or sanctioned in any way.  In addition, unlike the extensive news coverage of the O’Reilly and Ailes cases, the news media dropped the Perry and Lemon stories after a few hours.

Why the dichotomy?  O’Reilly and Ailes were castigated for months before they had to resign, yet neither Perry nor Lemon was criticized at all.  Not even for a whole day.   

I didn’t understand it. The cases appeared similar; a powerful media person forces unwanted sexual activity on an unsuspecting victim.  Why were they treated differently?  Could it be because O’Reilly and Ailes are conservative while Perry and Lemon are liberal?

Nah! That would be judgmental and discriminatory. Americans, especially liberals, are never judgmental or discriminatory.

Could there be another reason? I analyzed the matter and after much thought and much research, I think I finally found the reason why some sexual harassers are punished, while others just skate – and it is a reason I agree with!

The reason depends on the age, gender and physical attractiveness of the alleged harasser.  Both O’Reilly and Ailes were old, male and somewhat ugly, while Perry and Lemon are young, not male, (I know, I know, Lemon was born a heterosexual male (I think), but he now identifies otherwise) and very attractive.  I discovered that the news media only hounds and criticizes ugly males accused of sexual harassment.  Young, unmale and beautiful harassers accused of the same crime are given a pass (and rarely mentioned). 

On a personal level, this reason makes sense.  If I were sexually harassed by Bernie Sanders, I would insist he get the Triple C, but if I were sexually harassed by Emily Ratajkowski or, considering my age, Sophia Loren, I would not want them punished at all, especially if they promised to do it again!