OT: Time’s Person of the Year is “The Silence Breakers”

[BobPSU92]

See the link below. From the article:

“Time magazine has named "The Silence Breakers," representing people who came forward to report sexual misconduct, as its Person of the Year.

It's a recognition of the cultural reckoning this year and the #MeToo movement, which represents the people, mostly women, who have fueled a worldwide discussion about sexual harassment and assault.”

http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/06/media/time-person-of-the-year-2017/index.html

 

[Nitt1300]

 

[ram2020]

I will try to keep this as apolitical as possible, but is this the best we have to offer as a society? Not suggesting this didn't take courage to start a twitter movement or run to the New York Times about these sexual assaults. It certainly requires courage to come forward and shed light on sexual abuse and harassment.I guess it just causes me some pause to see someone who kneels for the anthem to receive an award last night. Espn gave its person of the year award to Caitlin Jenner a few years ago. Again, not that these people aren't noble or worthy of some admiration, but are there people in this country doing more to enrich the lives of others? Maybe the answer is no.

 

[EPC FAN]

I will try to keep this as apolitical as possible, but is this the best we have to offer as a society? Not suggesting this didn't take courage to start a twitter movement or run to the New York Times about these sexual assaults. It certainly requires courage to come forward and shed light on sexual abuse and harassment.I guess it just causes me some pause to see someone who kneels for the anthem to receive an award last night. Espn gave its person of the year award to Caitlin Jenner a few years ago. Again, not that these people aren't noble or worthy of some admiration, but are there people in this country doing more to enrich the lives of others? Maybe the answer is no.

Maybe this issue is so important, it deserves huge recognition. It is about time men grow the bleep up.

 

[ram2020]

Maybe this issue is so important, it deserves huge recognition. It is about time men grow the bleep up.

I wont argue that.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Maybe this issue is so important, it deserves huge recognition. It is about time men grow the bleep up.

Agree that men need to get their knuckles off the ground and join our civilized society. I get concerned, however, when such an immense wave swells up that well-intentioned groupthink displaces the right to due process.

I’m not saying that any of the accusers are wrong for coming forward. On the contrary, their bravery is praiseworthy. I just worry when an overzealous media sensationalizes the victims’ plights and turns them into a witch hunt leading to innocent people’s names/reputations getting dragged down into the mud for even the slightest of association with the actual perps (sound familiar Penn State?). The court of public opinion - largely shaped by this overzealous media - then paints acquaintances who “should’ve known” or “should’ve said something (if they were suspicious)” with the same moral brush as those who actually committed the crimes, and that is wrong.

 

[Rollin Stone]

I also think we have to look at the “weaponization” of these accusations. As mentioned before the accusations themselves become a conviction for the accused.

I want every woman that has suffered sexual harassment/assault to be empowered to come forward and speak. At the same time that we are teaching our boys to respect women we need to teach girls that if harassed or assaulted, that they need to go directly to the police and file a report. Don’t wait, you wait it starts to looks suspicious.

We have had a liberation movement for how many decades now. We believe victims come forward immediately, otherwise other motivations seem to come out when you don’t speak up for a decade.

 

[Eurotrash1]

First off, let's recognize these awards are designed to sell a product. As for the "silence breakers" winning? It pleases me very much. I'm the father of 3 daughters and as guilty as every man on this board of boorish behavior. It is time we men realize objectifying woman is very childish. And when you look at the consequences of this behavior, it really is foolish and costly.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

 

[78SweetRevenge]

Better than it being Kaepernick

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

I also think we have to look at the “weaponization” of these accusations. As mentioned before the accusations themselves become a conviction for the accused.

I want every woman that has suffered sexual harassment/assault to be empowered to come forward and speak. At the same time that we are teaching our boys to respect women we need to teach girls that if harassed or assaulted, that they need to go directly to the police and file a report. Don’t wait, you wait it starts to looks suspicious.

We have had a liberation movement for how many decades now. We believe victims come forward immediately, otherwise other motivations seem to come out when you don’t speak up for a decade.

Good point. And hopefully a social infrastructure continues developing to protect the victims while also protecting against the risk of opportunists crying wolf and creating more, yet different, victims.

But its hard to come forward and easy for those not paralyzed by fear, shame, embarrassment, vulnerability, etc. to say "don't wait". So the belief or expectation that victims come forward immediately seems misguided, at least in part. And given where things have been and where/how they seem to be trending, the good numbers remain with victims who have been, and who remain, suffering in silence, sometimes for long periods. The greater risk is continued silence.

Any claim, especially when coupled by demands for compensation, creates question into the motivation for the claim. That's been a huge issue in enabling these victims to come forward. Adding long-duration waiting periods create additional interference with the greatest good. But it's a good point, one that's hard to make given the risk of seeming insensitive to the victims. So hats off there, at least in part.

 

[Lion78]

I'm actually more concerned about the first accuser that is a blatant liar. It will happen. What does the crisis driven media do with it.

 

[psulongago]

I'm actually more concerned about the first accuser that is a blatant liar. It will happen. What does the crisis driven media do with it.

See Duke LAX!. How much trauma did those kids go through.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

I'm actually more concerned about the first accuser that is a blatant liar. It will happen. What does the crisis driven media do with it.

Exactly! And once that label is cast, there’s no realing it in. Lives can be ruined in a blink based on petty vengeance...an entire life lived well, gone in the equivalent of 140 characters (sound familiar?).

It goes back to an intellectually lazy populace that is unable to think critically about ALL sides of an issue. The Duke LAX case is the perfect example - when lazy thinkers hear about rich white kids playing a rich white sport at a rich white university, they WANT to believe that those privileged punks are criminals. It makes them feel better about themselves, so much so that they couldn’t possibly unthink what they wanted to believe in spite of actual evidence to the contrary.

Scary stuff.

 

[green2623]

Put Rachael on the cover!

 

[91Joe95]

Too bad they didn't still call the award "Man of the Year."

 

[psu1969a]

First off, let's recognize these awards are designed to sell a product. As for the "silence breakers" winning? It pleases me very much. I'm the father of 3 daughters and as guilty as every man on this board of boorish behavior. It is time we men realize objectifying woman is very childish. And when you look at the consequences of this behavior, it really is foolish and costly.

Yada yada yada.

 

[Eurotrash1]

Yada yada yada.

Great response when you don't have an intelligent point to support your point of view.

 

[Erial_Lion]

Exactly! And once that label is cast, there’s no realing it in. Lives can be ruined in a blink based on petty vengeance...an entire life lived well, gone in the equivalent of 140 characters (sound familiar?).

It goes back to an intellectually lazy populace that is unable to think critically about ALL sides of an issue. The Duke LAX case is the perfect example - when lazy thinkers hear about rich white kids playing a rich white sport at a rich white university, they WANT to believe that those privileged punks are criminals. It makes them feel better about themselves, so much so that they couldn’t possibly unthink what they wanted to believe in spite of actual evidence to the contrary.

Scary stuff.

You know what I find even scarier? The number of men in powerful positions that committed a lot of these events that are finally coming out, and went unchecked for all of these years. For every Duke Lacrossee, there are many more cases that were buried because the women were scared to come out. Yet somehow false claims are the most important issue to some?

 

[OaktonDave]

See the link below. From the article:

“Time magazine has named "The Silence Breakers," representing people who came forward to report sexual misconduct, as its Person of the Year.

It's a recognition of the cultural reckoning this year and the #MeToo movement, which represents the people, mostly women, who have fueled a worldwide discussion about sexual harassment and assault.”

http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/06/media/time-person-of-the-year-2017/index.html

I'm good with this. I've been in the workforce since 1985 and have a active a libido as any man; I can't believe some of this trash still goes on. I wasn't okay when I took my first job in high school in 1979, so people can spare me the "different time" argument. It has nothing to do with finding women attractive or being visually stimulated. It has to do with being a decent human being, treating other human beings with respect, and not misusing your power or authority.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

You know what I find even scarier? The number of men in powerful positions that committed a lot of these events that are finally coming out, and went unchecked for all of these years. For every Duke Lacrossee, there are many more cases that were buried because the women were scared to come out. Yet somehow false claims are the most important issue to some?

Great point...again, many sides to the discussion.

 

[psrurock]

Finally intelligent discourse without a bunch of name calling. Hopefully we'll continue this progression in this social media society.

 

[psuro]

Finally intelligent discourse without a bunch of name calling.

Yours is only the 22nd post on this thread. Give it some time.

 

[lgpsu]

Maybe this issue is so important, it deserves huge recognition. It is about time men grow the bleep up.

When men that are super qualified, and passed over for "diversity". Fu.in joke

 

[EPC FAN]

When men that are super qualified, and passed over for "diversity". Fu.in joke

Sort of like when women who are super qualified, and passed over for "good ole boys."

 

[EdH85]

First off, let's recognize these awards are designed to sell a product. As for the "silence breakers" winning? It pleases me very much. I'm the father of 3 daughters and as guilty as every man on this board of boorish behavior. It is time we men realize objectifying woman is very childish. And when you look at the consequences of this behavior, it really is foolish and costly.

EUROTRASH! YOUR AVATAR????

 

[harjeff]

Agree that men need to get their knuckles off the ground and join our civilized society. I get concerned, however, when such an immense wave swells up that well-intentioned groupthink displaces the right to due process.

I’m not saying that any of the accusers are wrong for coming forward. On the contrary, their bravery is praiseworthy. I just worry when an overzealous media sensationalizes the victims’ plights and turns them into a witch hunt leading to innocent people’s names/reputations getting dragged down into the mud for even the slightest of association with the actual perps (sound familiar Penn State?). The court of public opinion - largely shaped by this overzealous media - then paints acquaintances who “should’ve known” or “should’ve said something (if they were suspicious)” with the same moral brush as those who actually committed the crimes, and that is wrong.

Agree, and with some of these accusations from so long ago one has to ask why wait so long. Now, I know its tough and if its real very traumatic, but with the way social media is now days I wonder if some of this is not people looking for attention......and once the cats out of the bag someone's reputation and career may be ruined when in fact it a completely made up story for attention. This situation sucks for the ones who were really abused as it clouds the entire picture. I for one don't believe much of anything I see in the media at first glance and anyone associated with PSU should know well how things get blown out of proportion without perspective and proof

 

[Eurotrash1]

EUROTRASH! YOUR AVATAR????

That's Lolo Ferrari...she was on the 90's TV show called Eurotrash.

 

[BBrown]

First off, let's recognize these awards are designed to sell a product. As for the "silence breakers" winning? It pleases me very much. I'm the father of 3 daughters and as guilty as every man on this board of boorish behavior. It is time we men realize objectifying woman is very childish. And when you look at the consequences of this behavior, it really is foolish and costly.

The irony of that statement and your avatar is off the charts. LOL.

 

[BBrown]

Great point...again, many sides to the discussion.

Agree. For me I just need to have it "defined" I mean are some of these charges nothing more than a hand put on a shoulder or maybe on the small of the back as they are going through a door?
Is any of this revenge or motive driven?
Has this become the new "race" card?

 

[Eurotrash1]

She is a character on a TV show. If you have the inability to see big tits without thinking something perverted...that's your issue.

 

[ram2020]

I also can't help but think in some cases, these victims put up with sexual impropriety because they knew it would advance their respective careers. Not that that should ever be a necessary part of any job. Then.....after years have gone by and the male perpetrator now powerless over them(ie their careers are already advanced or they are in a different field, etc) they run to the New York times and exact revenge and again advance their careers by being "courageous" or a "silence breaker." Again....this probably applies to a small percentage of these claims.

This woman that just filed the sexual suit against Warren Moon is interesting. So he made her sleep with him on all business trips? Grabbed her crotch repeatedly? I actually believe her, but how many times does he do that before you don't allow it to happen anymore and you leave the organization? If you read about her, its not like she had nothing else going for her. I don't know....its a slippery slope.

http://heavy.com/news/2017/12/wendy-haskell-bio/

 

[Eurotrash1]

I also can't help but think in some cases, these victims put up with sexual impropriety because they knew it would advance their respective careers. Not that that should ever be a necessary part of any job. Then.....after years have gone by and the male perpetrator now powerless over them(ie their careers are already advanced or they are in a different field, etc) they run to the New York times and exact revenge and again advance their careers by being "courageous" or a "silence breaker." Again....this probably applies to a small percentage of these claims.

This woman that just filed the sexual suit against Warren Moon is interesting. So he made her sleep with him on all business trips? Grabbed her crotch repeatedly? I actually believe her, but how many times does he do that before you don't allow it to happen anymore and you leave the organization? If you read about her, its not like she had nothing else going for her. I don't know....its a slippery slope.

http://heavy.com/news/2017/12/wendy-haskell-bio/

I completely agree. Woman use their sexuality and men fall for it and act upon it. It still doesn't make it right. Think of woman as a piece of cake. If you it's sitting there on a table and you cut a piece and eat it. Whose fault is it you are fat? The cakes? Or yours?

 

[KnightSlayer]

Agree, and with some of these accusations from so long ago one has to ask why wait so long. Now, I know its tough and if its real very traumatic, but with the way social media is now days I wonder if some of this is not people looking for attention......and once the cats out of the bag someone's reputation and career may be ruined when in fact it a completely made up story for attention. This situation sucks for the ones who were really abused as it clouds the entire picture. I for one don't believe much of anything I see in the media at first glance and anyone associated with PSU should know well how things get blown out of proportion without perspective and proof

Do you think any of the women have lied so far? When the claims are true, it's rarely ends up being just one woman who makes the claim.

 

[KnightSlayer]

I also can't help but think in some cases, these victims put up with sexual impropriety because they knew it would advance their respective careers. Not that that should ever be a necessary part of any job. Then.....after years have gone by and the male perpetrator now powerless over them(ie their careers are already advanced or they are in a different field, etc) they run to the New York times and exact revenge and again advance their careers by being "courageous" or a "silence breaker." Again....this probably applies to a small percentage of these claims.

This woman that just filed the sexual suit against Warren Moon is interesting. So he made her sleep with him on all business trips? Grabbed her crotch repeatedly? I actually believe her, but how many times does he do that before you don't allow it to happen anymore and you leave the organization? If you read about her, its not like she had nothing else going for her. I don't know....its a slippery slope.

http://heavy.com/news/2017/12/wendy-haskell-bio/

These men not only had the power to advance a woman's career, they had the power to ruin it.

 

[ram2020]

I completely agree. Woman use their sexuality and men fall for it and act upon it. It still doesn't make it right. Think of woman as a piece of cake. If you it's sitting there on a table and you cut a piece and eat it. Whose fault is it you are fat? The cakes? Or yours?

It's your fault for eating the cake, but its disingenuous for the cake to act like a "victim" when it shows off its big fake buttery cherries for all to see and plays along in the temptation game for a number of years....and then it goes to Cooks magazine and says you ate a piece of it back in the 1980's when it was in your hotel room and on the menu for room service the 6th time in a few months?

 

[ram2020]

These men not only had the power to advance a woman's career, they had the power to ruin it.

Fair point

 

[Eurotrash1]

It's your fault for eating the cake, but its disingenuous for the cake to act like a "victim" when it shows off its big fake buttery cherries for all to see and plays along in the temptation game for a number of years....and then it goes to Cooks magazine and says you ate a piece of it back in the 1980's when it was in your hotel room and on the menu for room service the 6th time in a few months?

Unfortunately, you still carry the fat from eating that cake 20 years ago today. It's called think with your head not with your other head.

 

[ram2020]

Unfortunately, you still carry the fat from eating that cake 20 years ago today. It's called think with your head not with your other head.

I agree, men need to be smarter and hopefully this will encourage them to be smarter. Regardless of advances by the victim or mixed messaging, you just should not and cannot allow yourself to be tempted. And even then, that may not be good enough to preserve your reputation. We see it today, Schiano did not get the HC job at Tenn. because the twitter mob exploited unproven testimony that loosely linked him to Sandusky...game over. Hopefully women won't be this nefarious, but I do worry about a society in which merely saying something is good enough to destroy something.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Agree. For me I just need to have it "defined" I mean are some of these charges nothing more than a hand put on a shoulder or maybe on the small of the back as they are going through a door?
Is any of this revenge or motive driven?
Has this become the new "race" card?

For McGowan it was rape; for Swift it was having her butt groped during a photo-op. Different in every circumstance but inappropriate is inappropriate. With rare exception this is much more than a misplaced hand during a photo.