In the last week, film producer Harvey Weinstein’s decades of sexual harassment — which many have described as an open secret in Hollywood — have exploded onto the pages of the New York Times. The New Yorker documents even more disturbing accusations of rape and assault. It’s now clear that many men and women in Weinstein’s company and in the film industry knew about these alleged crimes but remained silent, allowing it to continue.
Lots of Men Are Gender-Equality Allies in Private. Why Not in Public?
Talk with men about their mothers, wives, and daughters, and most will espouse commitment to gender equality — many express real anger at the possibility that these important women in their lives might be treated unfairly, harassed, or assaulted. Privately, lots of men are allies for gender equity. So why not publicly? There are a number of social and psychological processes that create timidity and perpetuate silence among potential male allies. For example, pressure to conform, a sense that this isn’t “their fight,” or what psychologists call the bystander effect. But trainings and interventions can help men overcome these barriers. And that’s a vital leadership issue. Because real change, and real leadership, aren’t just about doing the right things in private. They’re about publicly standing up to harassment, bias, and discrimination, and explaining why you’re doing so.