NPR: Sexual Harassment: Who and When?

Sexual Harassment: Who and When?

Farai Chideya Yesterday on our very own News & Notes newsletter, we sent out a headline that said: Thomas Found Guilty of Sexual Harassment.

For a second, I was confused. Even though I'd done the show earlier, my mind was on the rock 'em sock 'em between Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (who has a new memoir) and Anita Hill.

(See video on both of them below.)

But in this case, we're talkin' about the NBA, not the guys who battled it out over the Supreme Court. We spoke to Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix about Isiah Thomas' liability in this case ... and the millions of dollars paid to the former female executive.

What's the state of sexual harassment? I mean, take the movie "Take this Job and Shove It." It was classic bad hair and pink lip gloss feminism. Dabney Coleman plays a fabulous sexist and sexually-harassing heel. It is all very over the top.

But now that we've fast-forwarded another (ulp!) 27 years, what do we make of sexual harassment? What do we consider it?

A couple of flashes from my life ...

I remember once that I was at a company lunch with multiple tables. At the table next to me, one foreign correspondent was telling an incredibly dirty (I cannot even hint at it here) story about how to incite a certain sexual response in a woman. The guy next to him, who supervised me, turned to me (I was at the next table, but staring bug-eyed, I'm sure) and said, "Sorry!" My boss was genuinely ashamed about the reporter's language. There have been some cases that cover a "hostile work environment"... i.e., porn taped to lockers in a workspace. I don't think this was at all a case of hostile work environment, but it was certainly inappropriate, and someone else may have taken it to management.

What do you think: If you overhear sexual language in a work setting, even if it isn't directed at you, is that a form of harassment or hostile work environment? What do you do?

Wait, there's more... Just from my experiences ...

A company exec who asked me if I'd been a teen mother...

Male co-workers who critiqued my physique to my face....

Men at work who started telling me tales of their sexual exploits....

Luckily I've had no hands on the rear, or else there might have been some Kung Fu.

I think of all of the women who I know who, past or present, have not only had to deal with sexual harassment, but have had to decide what the line is. When do you decide what's crossed the line? And do you go to management, or (out of fear or personal preference) tough it out?

Meanwhile, more on the OTHER Thomas issue ...

Clarence Thomas on 60 Minutes:

Anita Hill on CNN:

Farai Chideya

7:25 PM ET | 10- 2-2007 | permalink

comments | | e-mail

Comments

View all comments »

Add a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.

If it's an awkward feeling that makes you uncomfortable, would be a good time to say something. Bring it to the person's attention or have a professional mediator present while you express this crudish behavior. Sometimes bosses don't always agree that what we address as "Sexual Harassment," is as serious as we make it out to be because they are friends with the individual that commits the act.

Sent by Meena Williamson | 6:36 AM ET | 10-04-2007

My perceptions had been characterized as flawed when I red-flagged my mentor's rapacious behavior, given his position of authority and his status as a married man. I had also questioned whether or not it was a conflict of interest for him to serve as my advocate given his very vocal attraction to me.

Apparently, notifying a member of the Board of your intent to resign -- as a result, in part, of his interaction with you -- qualifies as resignation.

My contributions as a fellow were all but ignored. My reasons for recruitment were seemingly nullified. The case was closed expediently. And I was invited for an exit interview to submit my letter of resignation for documentation purposes only.

What happened to me matched the experiences of both men and women who complain of discrimination and harassment in the workplace since 1991, sadly.

Sexual harassment, in my case, was devastating. Studies indicate that most harassment has nothing to do with "flirtation" or sincere sexual or social interest. Rather, it is offensive. I was forced to leave a competitive fellowship. Because I did not tell, I experienced serious psychological and health-related problems. Not coming forward was a failure of my character. Integrity, in contrast, moves us as human beings to intervene on behalf of the powerless.

Sent by Anonymous | 12:49 PM ET | 10-04-2007

From:
"News & Notes, October 5, 2007 Joining in are Sean Gonsalves, Ernie Suggs, and Erin Aubry Kaplan"

One individual above calls Justice Thomas a sell-out to the black community. I am not in the black community, so my perspective is naturally to be discounted. However, I find it bizarre the favor, respect, and press granted thugs, druggies and other characters of lesser merits. Is Justice Thomas, his life and his career a benefit to the black community say in comparison to; Ricky Williams, Michael Vick, Isiah Thomas, OJ, Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, Snoop, 10 cents... etc.

Where is the common sense to build up not tear down? Maybe NPR's agenda (read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Thomas) is to revisit an issue for ratings and careers.

Sent by Anonymous - SOCAL | 4:28 PM ET | 10-05-2007

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

E-mail |
Print

OUR SOCIAL NETWORKS

About 'News & Views'

News & Views is the companion blog of NPR's news magazine show, News & Notes. It extends News & Notes' ongoing conversation about the diversity of the African-American experience. For more information, read our Frequently Asked Questions guide and our Discussion Rules.