A fine line between error and abuse?

Jane Curtin   (Photo by Alan Light)

In the world of comedy, certain things are not that funny.  The same is true within politics and many other professions.

Sexual abuse has been making some long-overdue headlines.  When there is a clear- cut history of repeat offenses, harsh penalties seem particularly appropriate.  But what about cases in which such behavior seems a departure from the perpetrator’s usual modus operandi?

This question is now being asked about Senator Al Franken. Although some are claiming, “There is a pervert in the Senate,” others are rallying to his defense.  Former Saturday Night Live colleague Jane Curtin said that Franken had been “a powerful ally who viewed female writers and comedians as his equal.”  Curtin also stated that she has “never seen him [Franken] in a situation where he has been sexually aggressive with anybody.”

So where and how can the line be drawn between rare misjudgment within a context in which such behavior is commonplace and a severe character flaw?

 

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/franken-case-sets-off-debate-over-line-between-abuse-and-a-mistake/ar-BBF6GhS?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=BHEA000

Copyright November 18, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved