Silence Is Not Golden
Permit me again to reference the governor of New York today. I recorded this segment yesterday, so by the time you hear it, the phrase could be “former New York governor”, “indicted New York governor”, or still “embattled New York governor”.
Last Friday, the New York Times published a report saying they had interviewed more than three dozen people who worked in the New York governor’s executive office. They described it as deeply chaotic, unprofessional, and toxic–especially for young women. They for the most part said they did not personally witness overt sexual harassment, but many did say they believed the governor and others focused on how employees looked and dressed.
To those who spoke–virtually all anonymously–I guess my reaction is “Great, thanks for speaking out…but what took you so long? Where’ve you been?”
To be clear, I am *not* referring to those who are claiming they are victims of sexual harassment. That’s a whole different issue of power, domination and fear.
I’m talking about those who saw the situation as toxic, witnessed discriminatory treatment, and failed to say anything–allowing it, and perhaps worse, to continue.
I get it, these are people who have career goals that they don’t want to see derailed by blowing the whistle on a powerful and influential officeholder and his loyalists.
But I wonder how many of them today wish they had said something sooner, given what has come out of late. Could any of the harm been prevented by them raising their voices even a few months sooner? And perhaps that’s a broader lesson to consider.
