Welcome to 2018, the year I stopped being funny. I know we are only three days into it, so this might seem a little dramatic. I had high hopes! Town&Style will just have to find someone else to make you laugh. Unfortunately, today is my deadline and being a responsible person, I must turn in one last column.
You see, I am just so darn sad that in 2018, we still are talking about issues that should have been resolved 30 years ago. The #MeToo viral campaign stuns me. I worked in the financial services industry in the early ’80s, and there weren’t very many professional women at my firm when I started. But I never was harassed. I worked for a man that didn’t seem to notice my gender. He always acted a little surprised when I told him I was going on maternity leave. It was never a problem. “Just let me know when you’re returning, and leave your number in case I need something,” he said. He treated me like everyone eIse. He never asked me how my husband felt about my traveling, never commented on what I wore, never said anything inappropriate. As a result, he set the tone for the office. My boss knew gender didn’t matter, and as long as the job got done, he didn’t care who did it, man or woman. Oh sure, as I traveled for business, I had creepers say stuff to me. But with a quick retort and a sharp elbow, I handled it. Amazing, isn’t it? It shouldn’t be. This should be everyone’s story, not only those fortunate enough to work for decent people.
So, what can I do? The reality is, I am not in a position of power. Sure, I guess I could write an article about the various harassers that are in the news, but I’m pretty sure there are libel laws and I’m not an investigative journalist. So I have decided I will do my own part to stop the madness. You can join me in my #juststopit campaign. It’s simple. When a friend starts to tell an offensive joke, whether it’s about women or religion or whatever, tell him to stop it. Say you’re in line at Target and the person in front of you is giving the sales clerk a hard time: “What’s a pretty young thing like you …” You engage Merv the Perv in a conversation so the clerk can do his/her job without being bothered. You stop it. It has been a long time since I have been catcalled, but I hear others being subjected. Let me tell you, nothing stops that dialogue faster than a middle-aged woman (that’s me) screaming, “You kiss your mother with that mouth?” You catch my drift.
By now, you must think I’m insane. Perhaps the experts will agree and tell you not to do any of the things I’ve suggested, but I’ve always had a problem with authority. To quote one of my favorite movies, Network, “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.” And neither should you, your daughters, sons or anyone else you love. Oh, and for those of you who feel like the world is becoming ‘too politically correct,’ too bad. Until everyone behaves, that’s what has to happen.
I feel much better now, so I guess I’ll be back next week. I promise I will write about a light and fluffy topic, like polar bears or penguins. I think I will make my 21-year-old and 28-year-old go to the zoo with their cranky mom.
Contact Patty at phannum@townandstyle.com.
