Oh how the mighty are falling. I’m sure men in elected offices and Hollywood are quaking in their Ferragamo’s and Louis Vuttion’s (shoes) waiting for the axe to befall them. Let’s face it; it’s a rare man who hasn’t done something to the female of the species at some point in his life.

I am personally saddened by some of the names that are coming to the surface of this movement, and it is a movement; a major step forward in the struggle for equality. There are men I thought were beyond such reproach; but as more and more women find the courage to speak out, we are learning even the most respectable of men have sometimes fallen to the lures of power and fame. Thank God Jimmy Carter only lusted in his heart!

I’m not saying men who have perpetrated these acts of aggression shouldn’t be called out. But not all violations are equal and one punishment does not fit all crimes. We need to stop the witch hunt and deal with this stride in our moral development with common sense and equanimity.

Men have enjoyed a patriarchal role in American history. They have been the captains of industry and have taken credit for many of the ideas put forth by women. Slowly, some women have risen to the top of their professions, but not nearly as many as could, given a fair playing field. Grudgingly women have been allowed (there’s a word I highly object to, “allowed”) to become part of such traditional bastions of male privilege as West Point, Harvard Medical and men’s only clubs.

There are, of course, men who continue to treat woman as if they are their personal playthings; those that have not learned that touching without permission is a no-no; and those that refuse to believe a woman who says she’s been assaulted over a political asset who claims it isn’t true. If allegations can be proven, steps should be taken.

Hopefully, we will look back on this era as a watershed moment in our history.

Steps to dismantle the “good old boys” club are taking leaps and bounds. Perhaps women will truly become equal to their male counterparts in not only pay, but respect and achievement.

Sexual assault, harassment and misconduct have been around awhile. Let’s let this be a lesson learned and move on. Allegations of misconduct that are 20, 30 or 40 years old are cropping up everywhere. If the gentleman, a loose term to be sure, hasn’t done anything in the last ten years, bring it to light if you must, but we shouldn’t continue to ruin careers and lives over what is only now being deemed inappropriate enough to lose a career.

Robyn Near is a Ripley resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com