AMHERST TIMES
EDITORIAL: In the past three weeks the local and national news have been filled with stories of politicians, business people and individuals from the film and entertainment world being accused of inappropriate sexual behavior towards unwilling ladies, teenage girls and even men and young boys. The public reading these stories need to hear and understand how another “glass wall” is being broken down by some very courageous women who’ve had experiences with men and women who had taken advantage of them because of their power and position.
This evil practice has been going on for years, even before the famous casting couch of Hollywood moguls like Louis B. Mayer, Harry Cohen, the Warner Brothers, and Howard Hughes. The list of Hollywood power people who promise young women and men parts in movies if they would cooperate with them and have sexual relationships, is endless. One of the most well kept secret films is one of Marylin Monroe. It is a film of her nude, on the so-called casting couch, which one man owns.
We watch movies and rarely think of what these actors and actress had to go through with sex predators, like Harvey Weinstein and others, to become stars. This practice will continue if not reported to someone who can do something about it.
Anytime a person is abused physically or verbally, such as the comment by Congressman Chris Collin to a young woman at a convention, or even worst forced to have any type of sexual relations, the victim must speak up. This action can no longer stay locked up in the victim’s mind but be brought to light, as they are now.
This goes for everyone, including right here in our town of Amherst. Anyone who has degraded anyone sexually or used their power or position to violate any woman, man or especially a child, should be brought to the public view and authorities.
Originally published on Amherst Times. Republished with permission.
