And another one bites the dust. This time, it’s NBC “Today Show” host Matt Lauer.
Entertainment
On Wednesday, NBC announced that it fired its top TV personality, Matt Lauer, late Tuesday night after a female colleague came forward Monday with information that Lauer had been sexually inappropriate toward her.
According to the female staffer, Matt Lauer engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with her during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. His behavior then continued into the workplace following the games. Additionally, 2 more women came forward on Wednesday, prompting Variety to publish a more in-depth account of Lauer’s sexual misconduct with at least 3 more women over several years. Interestingly, Variety portrayed Lauer as a serial harasser of women who worked on “Today,” who frequently preyed on most of the female producers who worked for him.
“Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter who the offender,” NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said early Wednesday in a memo to network employees.
“How do you reconcile your love for someone with the revelation that they have behaved badly, and I don’t know the answer to that,” “Today” co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie said of her (now former) colleague and friend during Wednesday’s live broadcast. “But I do know that this reckoning, that so many organizations have been going through, is important, it’s long overdue and it must result in workplaces where all women — all people — feel safe and respected.”
So, what’s REALLY going on here?
Entertainment
Removing a sexual predator from the workplace is the absolute right thing to do, following a full and thorough investigation that leaves zero doubt that the perpetrator is guilty. However, is that truly enough? Not really!
Just looking at the sheer number of predominately white males in prominent positions of power within society who have crossed the line of sexual misconduct, while considering the dozens or even hundreds more who have yet to be discovered, the problem has demonstrated itself to be an epidemic. These white males have been conditioned to believe they can have whatever (and whoever) they want solely on the strength that money and power create opportunity. Therefore, firing one man at a time from one single company is a mere band-aid over a big, gaping wound. Dealing head-on with the obviously contagious mindset that Money+Power= All The Sex You Could Want would be a much better longterm solution.
With a problem this humongous, the continued practice of firing guilty man after guilty man will almost certainly evolve into a dangerous domino effect. For example, when NBC fired Matt Lauer they didn’t simply fire just one man. They fired the man and at least 1 or 2 dozen additional people who work with/for him. Agents, Managers, PR Execs, Stylists, Nannies, Housekeepers, etc. will all take a hit now that Matt has lost his steady paycheck. With the media now digging for dirt on every noted person they can find, the unemployment rolls will quickly begin to grow.
The time has clearly come for us to deal with the disease and not merely the symptom.
Additionally, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. If society is TRULY outraged and wants to completely end the careers of men who have been sexually inappropriate toward women, then it’s time to end the career of the man living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He is the biggest sexual pervert of them all!
HEAR! HEAR! on ALL points made DJ.
You spoke the Truth and NOTHING but the Truth in your entire post. And honestly, I could just HUG YOU right now if I was near you!
As you’ve correctly pointed out:
“Removing a sexual predator from the workplace is the absolute right thing to do, following a full and thorough investigation that leaves zero doubt that the perpetrator is guilty. However, is that truly enough? Not really!”
“The time has clearly come for us to deal with the disease and not merely the symptom.”
Needless to say, I have a few thoughts on this culturally reprehensible “Epidemic” that clearly has plagued Our country for much long….and I’ll be sharing one or two later.
But I want to start, first, by simply saying Well. Done. And…….
Thank You!