The media has picked up one of the most unified bipartisan topics we have seen in quite some time; the topic of sexual harassment.
Many of us have known the reality of this societal epidemic for quite some time, but only recently have men of power been so widely affected.
There has never been such a contradictory time for women as the 21st century presents.
Women are simultaneously seeking powerful roles in the professional arena, while, also, trying to maintain a sex appeal that objectifies them in the process.
In the media business it is easy to become delusional, thinking that you have arisen to demigod status; carting in tow an equally as grand appetite for the flesh.
One such man who showed disillusionment was the beloved NBC host of the “Today” show, Matt Lauer.
As disturbing details begin to surface about Lauer’s sexual misconduct in the workplace, his “everybody’s favorite news anchor charm” begins to diminish.
There has been a recent allegation from a NBC female co-worker just last week that has made other victims of his misogynist ways able to come forward.
Many of those who were sexually harassed were unable to come forward when the incident occurred because of his position of power as a money machine for the network, and as an influential decision maker of who stays and goes.
The environment that Lauer created to take advantage of the women under him is alarming.
Scary Mommy reported:
“His office was in a secluded space, and he had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door from the inside without getting up. This afforded him the assurance of privacy. It allowed him to welcome female employees and initiate inappropriate contact while knowing nobody could walk in on him, according to two women who were sexually harassed by Lauer.”
In the “privacy” of his deranged fortress he “summoned” a woman to his office, “locked the door, and sexually assaulted her”, an employee told the New York Times.
This is only one of many inappropriate sexual misconduct reports that have come to light.
Variety conducted a 2-month long investigation, interviewing past and present co-workers of Lauer’s and discovered some additional startling accusations:
“Matt Lauer once gave a colleague a sex toy as a present. It included an explicit note about how he wanted to use it on her, which left her mortified.
On another day, he summoned a different female employee to his office, and then dropped his pants, showing her his penis. After the employee declined to do anything, visibly shaken, he reprimanded her for not engaging in a sexual act.
He would sometimes quiz female producers about who they’d slept with, offering to trade names. And he loved to engage in a crass quiz game with men and women in the office: “f—, marry, or kill,” in which he would identify the female co-hosts that he’d most like to sleep with.”
These types of heinous acts have likely been happening throughout the over 20 years Lauer has been an early morning icon.
There was a public apology made by Lauer after his recent termination from NBC that included:
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry.”
One of the obvious concerns is that the apology only made its way crawling to the public ear after he could no longer hide his wrongful behavior.
In addition, there needs to be legal accountability for his crimes against women. What good are all the legislative orders put into place to protect women in the workplace if they are not implemented?
All the high-profile men that have been outed for their disrespect and gross display of influence, such as Lauer, Harvey Weinstein, Charlie Rose, Kevin Spacey, and Louis C.K., need to be held responsible for the choices they have made.
Despicable behavior like Lauer’s has been normalized by society. We think of men as sexual beings who need outlets to release their innate urges.
Women are not pawns in a power play, ones who can be mistreated as a sacrifice to the man’s deviant nature.
It is appalling what Lauer’s wife, Annette Roque, has to endure on behalf of her husband, the man that vowed to be devoted to her no matter the trial.
The media is concocting the platters that the current, young and insatiable, up and coming generation is desperately gobbling up.
If we don’t deliver a message of accountability for your actions, and an unfailing respect for women, the outlook for the working women, and women at large, is sorrowful.
Start at home the way a woman should be revered, treated, and beloved. Without them there is no future generation to worry about.
Please let us know in the comments section what you think of Lauer’s behavior, and how it is reflective of societal view.