It’s Way Too Soon To Be Splitting Hairs On Sexual Harassment

Can you divide sexual harassers into “good ones” and “bad ones”? The temptation is great right now, and that worries me.

I’m seeing signs that a dispute is starting to erupt — on social media, and in private conversations — over whether all perpetrators should be lumped together, now that some popular figures have been accused.

Is Al Franken’s alleged groping as bad as Dr. Larry Nasser’s assaults on women athletes? Was Charlie Rose appearing naked less bothersome than Harvey Weinstein cornering actresses? Were George H.W. Bush’s fanny pats really something to complain about?

The big question seems to be: are there some kinds of sexual harassment that should be shrugged off, while other kinds are truly despicable?

Here’s how I see it. All sexual harassment is bad. Period. And it is way too early in the long-needed discussion over sexual harassment to start splitting hairs about what it is, and what it isn’t.

If you are tempted to let someone off the hook because you enjoyed their work on a late night TV program, or they never acted that way with you, try this.

Substitute the word “bullying” for “sexual harassment.” Because, even if they never touched someone, even if all they did was say something that rattled…