Froma Harrop’s Tuesday column left me puzzled and sad. (“Lewinsky, grace in humiliation”). Either Harrop was too young to appreciate what feminism really fought for or she has bought into the modern hype of today’s lack of morals.
The core of feminism sought to empower women to break out from the bonds of traditional female roles, using their gifts and talents to impel them forward in their lives. It did not involve encouraging women to engage in personal sexual relationships within the workplace (certainly not by initiating it with a thong flash to the President of the United States), in hopes of breaking up a marriage.
Harrop’s claim that Lewinsky has “laid low” during these past 16 years forgets that at one time Lewinsky hosted a television dating program, mocking her own situation.
Harrop’s claim that “Both are good women” strikes fear in the hearts of traditional moralists, who remember and long for the time when women held another’s marriage in respect, and when using sexuality in the workplace was considered completely inappropriate. Consider if the situation had been reversed. If a boss were to show his underwear to a subordinate I believe we would have a completely different discussion, indeed.
Harrop believes Lewinsky received poor treatment from feminists. Indeed, feminists believe that Lewinsky sold us out with her behavior. The cause of women and empowerment was dealt a severe blow by this young woman. And if her actions have life-long consequences she ought to be thankful they didn’t involve some more serious, as happens to so many languishing in prison for their own “youthful indiscretions.”
So, I must disagree wholeheartedly with Harrop. Monica Lewinsky showed no “grace in humiliation.” She behaved like a selfish, amoral Barbie Doll wannabe and now reaps the crop she sowed. If some of us cannot feel bad for her plight we may be forgiven. We were there during the old years of limitations, and battles hard fought and won, despite women such as this.
Barb Roetcisoender
Snohomish
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