Blog / 2013 / The Real Danger in Not Standing Up for Yourself
February 23, 2013
A few years ago, my partner was touched inappropriately by a faculty member at Goddard College where he was pursuing his MFA. As often happens in cases of sexual harassment, the community turned against the victim, victimizing him further and even villainizing him to preserve a sense of everything being okay with their institution.
Before this happened, I had had experiences with violation of my person—I’d been touched in ways I didn’t want to be touched by perverts in movie theaters, by creeps on public transportation, and once even by a man I was seeing. But I had never witnessed up-close an institution allowing and, to some degree, encouraging harassment. Having been through this with my David has made me acutely aware of how peer pressure is not just an adolescent issue, and it has taught me that shutting up is not an option.
Maybe this post made you think of something you want to share with me? Or perhaps you have a question about my art? I’d love to hear from you!
To receive an email every time I publish a new article or video, sign up for my special mailing list.
If you enjoyed this post, Ko-fi allows you to donate. Every dollar you give is worth a bajillion to me!
