We must lay down a path of justice and due process
When San Francisco’s Adama Iwu launched the #WeSaidEnough movement in October — America’s first #MeToo-political letter inspired by Tarana Burke — I co-signed Iwu’s bipartisan letter complaining about a “pervasive culture of sexual harassment in CA politics” because I knew we needed radical change. Little did we know then that we would be at the forefront of a political earthquake. The fault lines cut across all genders and identities, races, creeds and political philosophies.
As victims have come forward to share their stories about harassment, discrimination, bullying and abuse perpetuated by men and women in power, the challenge we face as a movement and as a society is to rebuild our infrastructure on a more solid and equitable foundation.
Unfortunately, not all politicians see the possibility for reform or grasp the enormity of the inequity.
So let us first acknowledge the deep fissures that #WeSaidEnough has exposed in politics:
People answering a call to service in Sacramento or Washington, D.C., enter a community where elected officials hold nearly unchecked power and sway over individual careers and global policies.
Legislators have carved out exceptions to employment laws for themselves, and for years have operated in a culture of silence where sexual harassment, gender and racial discrimination, anti-LGBTQ bullying, and verbal and physical abuse are swept under the rug. Or worse, such allegations are sent into a “black hole” of secret self-investigation where witnesses are encouraged to “take one for the team” rather than speak up and are “disappeared” or eliminated from promotion or advancement when they do.
Voters rarely ever know of these uncomfortable truths.
But now that #WeSaidEnough has gotten attention to these matters and people are speaking out, we no longer can ignore that:
Politicians, who try to take the “you aren’t being harassed, ARE YOU?” approach, are intimidating staff.
Politicians, who take the “let’s have the staff discuss harassment within the office” approach, misunderstand the need for independence that would invite candor, disrespect same-gender abuse victims, and run the risk of silencing junior staffers.
Politicians, who say “trust us to police ourselves,” operate with the same hubris as the Catholic Church and the U.S. military. The church in some cases went bankrupt rather than face up to the harm caused by pedophile priests. The military still has not placed sexual assault investigations outside the chain of command.
We need independent investigations — not peer review — to make real change.
That is why #WeSaidEnough has consistently demanded due process for all, laying down a path to lasting justice, not Twitter justice. To forge that path:
We must encourage reporting through confidential systems, such as our report-andsupport app, which was created for all people — male, female and nonbinary — and offers connections to victims’ services.
We demand a system built on a foundation of due process, with confidential investigations — and harsh consequences for leakers — and restorative practices that hold everyone accountable and provide an opportunity for healing.
We urge basic codes of conduct that advance respect and equity for all — and reduce risks to safety; to people; to lawsuits; and to reputations.
We urge our leaders to understand the gravity of the situation and act with respect for the people that they serve and the institutions in which they serve.
Whether you are in politics or not, if you see or experience inappropriate behavior, don’t remain silent. Speak up, speak out, and know there is a community of people who will support you. Together we can build a new foundation based on trust, respect and equity for all.