Category: American Politics

American Politics, Sexual Harassment and Assault Trump Era

Harasser vs. Harassed and Assaulted Cash Outs

How is $120 million different from Roger Ailes’s $45 million?  Zero tolerance for media means that the harassers get rich or richer, whereas the victims of their harassment and violent sexual assault (i.e. rape) are lucky not to get blackballed from their profession or remain powerless.  Even if you’re a journalist, like Ronan Farrow, they can drive you out or into a different medium.  (The New … Continue reading Harasser vs. Harassed and Assaulted Cash Outs

Professor Ruth O'Brien
American Politics

Good Furor – NYROB

Now-former NYROB editor Ian Buruma pledged to practice democracy after replacing longtime editor Robert Silvers, whom Buruma criticized for being monarchical.  Yet, Buruma forgot that democracy includes women (which includes our sensibilities).  So, by the way, does monarchy. And when you pledge to practice democracy and then accept self-pity for sexual assaulters and harassers, it should not include sniveling self-pity.  All editors should set an … Continue reading Good Furor – NYROB

Professor Ruth O'Brien
Sticky post
American Politics, Conservative Silences, Fight Misogyny, Rape Culture in American Politics

3 Observations by One of ‘Those’ Women of a Certain Age

1. Really? Peter Baker and Carl Hulse think I’m a woman of a certain age.  O.K., this can include men.  No doubt.  The subtext of the phrasing, however, does not.  (After all, Ray Romano was in a show called “Men of a Certain Age.”) 2. Not an “echo” — but a reverberation from a rape-culture stereo.  Anita Hill was only one of many. We women … Continue reading 3 Observations by One of ‘Those’ Women of a Certain Age

Professor Ruth O'Brien
American Politics, Rape Culture in American Politics

Rape Culture, Rape Daddy, Congress COULD Legislate and Amend IF Congress Preferred Zero Tolerance!

I woke with a start after only four hours. I had been listening to a podcast late at night, when the name of my own #MeToo surfaced.  I had also seen a map of the town this week where he came from (it’s small enough that I’m sure I could track him down. Being a smart neocon, I bet he’s probably successful. Who knows? I don’t … Continue reading Rape Culture, Rape Daddy, Congress COULD Legislate and Amend IF Congress Preferred Zero Tolerance!

Professor Ruth O'Brien
American Politics

Better Dead than Red, or Better Red than Dead?

One of my colleagues, now long retired, put it this way.  Frankly, I can’t remember who said what — who gets the credit.  Or who gets the blame, depending, of course, on your perspective.  Anyway, the question is this: Why do Republicans own red? When I was a U.S. congressional page for the Republicans, they wore red.  Red neckties and red party dresses abounded.  Later, … Continue reading Better Dead than Red, or Better Red than Dead?

Professor Ruth O'Brien1 Comment