In 1994, Michael Crichton published his novel Disclosure and produced the film Disclosure. The story is about (lack of) power, sexual harassment, and a rape accusation. The victim is played by plant manager Michael Douglas. The perpetrator is played by CEO Demi Moore.
A key paragraph in the book and film is this one: “Sexual harassment is about power, and so is the company’s resistance to dealing with it. Power protects power. And once a woman gets up in the power structure, she’ll be protected by the structure, the same as a man.” (NYT-1994)
Michael Crichton’s words were recently evidenced: “A star female N.Y.U. professor was found to have sexually harassed a male student. Then several prominent feminists sent a letter defending her.” (NYT-2018).
Essentially, the #MeToo movement is about abuse of power for gaining sexual favours. This happens within the common domains: at home, church, education, sports, work including the military. The most emphasis is on men. The least emphasis is on marriages. Legally, a man still has the right to beat his wife in various countries. The Musawah movement fights again that right.
Abuse of power for gaining sexual favours rarely constitutes a relationship, let alone with mutual consent. The only exception might be a non-commercial BDSM relationship. An abusive marriage seldom constitutes a healthy relationship.
Recently, a Dutch politician resigned because he had had an “unequal relationship” with a staff member, many years ago (Dutch News, NL-Times). A resignation based upon sexual abuse may be considered believable but not one based upon an “unequal relationship” (Trouw). In that case, most marriages should be annulled.
Romantic relationships between directors and secretaries, doctors and nurses, co-workers, were once considered rather innocent. Today, these relationships are being rebranded as “unequal relationships”. The word “unequal” suggests that something is wrong. I think, feel and believe that no relationship is equal (PT-2010). It must be utterly boring being in an equal relationship.
The term “unequal relationship” has all the features of (extreme) political correctness. Also see my blogs on political correctness, anti-globalization and nationalism (2016), the 7 Belief systems and the filter of political correctness (2018), and political correctness and our sense of humour (2018).
In 1976, Stevie Wonder released his hit album Songs in the Key of Life. Its opening track has only been gaining more relevance ever since: Love’s in Need of Love Today.
Love’s in Need of Love Today (1976) by Stevie Wonder featuring Take 6 (2001)
artist, artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2, Wiki-3
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise
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