Think #MeToo is effective? Try #RecOn and see what happens
f victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault really want to see some change take place in the workplace and the world, I have a better hashtag than #MeToo.
How about #RecOn? As in “recording on.” As in, “you better watch what you say and do you lecherous bastard because my phone is in my pocket and the voice recorder is running.”
Now of course there’s an element of a dystopian future here, whatwith the idea of walking around all day recording your life just in case someone sexually harrasses or assaults you, but, you know, who cares. I think we can make a pretty good argument we’re living in a dystopian present as it is.
I’m being dead serious, by the way. I’m guessing we’d see an immediate and long-lasting decline in workplace harassment and the like if the wouldbe perpetrators knew they might be on tape. So that’s my brilliant idea. But while I’m here, I’d like to blow a few holes in this whole #MeToo thing. First off, let’s go back to the beginning, all those hours ago, when, in response to the steady stream of Hollywood actresses coming out with their stories of how Harvey Weinstein harassed and/or assaulted them, Alyssa Milano wrote the following on Twitter: “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.”
learn and play with Mother Goose rhymes. Ages 0-24 months with a caregiver. Drop in.
TODDLER TICKLE TALES
Thursdays through October 26. Toddler Tickle Tales – 10:30 am – Stories, songs, rhymes, and activities for young preschoolers. Ages 2 to 3 with a caregiver, followed by toys and playgroup time. Drop in.
TWILIGHT TALES
Thursdays through October 26: Twilight Tales – 7:00 pm – Family storytime! Our activities will be a mixture of fun and learning with stories, songs and an occasional craft and parachute play. For ages 0-7 with a caregiver. Drop in.
HOMEWORK HELPERS
Tuesdays and Thursdays through June 8: Homework Helpers – 5:00 pm – Bilingual volunteers are available to help students with homework. For kids in grades K-6. Drop in.
CONSHOHOCKEN FREE LIBRARY
A Branch of Montgomery County-Norristown Library 301 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428; 610825-1656. Babies @ Library: Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. Interactive storytime-1 / 2 hour. Playtime / chat time 1 / 2 hour. Please call the library to register-610-825-1656. Preschool Parachute / Story: Thurs. at 10:15, 6 week sessions. Alternate between parachute and story time during the one-hour program. Please call the library to register-610-825-1656.
From the jump, I had a major problem with this, as the gulf between “harassment” and “assault” is about as wide as the gulf between heaven and earth. Harassment is words, assault is actions. One is bad, the other is evil.
“If you have a vagina, you’ve been sexually harassed,” said a prominent Mercer County woman who I was talking to about this and absolutely refused to be named, and who I had to cajole into even letting me use the quote.
But she has a point. If you’re a woman, you’ve probably been sexually harassed in one form or another.
Does it make it right? Of course not. But being sexually harassed is a lot different than being raped.
Right now, I can just imagine how rape victims — male
LEGO Club: Tuesdays after school 3:45-4:30 p.m. Ages 5-10 Collaborate and Create!
THRIFT SHOP
Wednesdays and Saturdays: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Thrift Shop, 211 S. Main St., North Wales, is open for its 26th season benefiting many local charities. Hours are Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. See a new fall boutique line, attic treasures, housewares, clothing for women and children, Halloween costumes and decor, books, linens, jewelry, vintage items and more. Call 215-699-4604.
PATH TO PEACE
Every Friday: A new, weekly Al-Anon group, Path to Peace, for families and friends of alcoholics meets at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 2871 Barndt Road at Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford every Friday at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Judy, jemorice@ gmail.com; or call the church at 215-234-8020.
NARANON FAMILY GROUP
Sundays at 7 p.m.: NarAnon Family Groups are primarily for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to you. We have traveled that unhappy road too, and found the answer with serenity and peace of mind. When you come into the family group, and female — must feel when they see this #MeToo hashtag floating around. I think it’s fair to say it diminishes their plight, being lumped in with Suzy from accounting who took offense to her boss complimenting her on the cut of her skirt.
Furthermore, the #MeToo thing is putting the spotlight on the victims, not the perps. This all would be a lot stronger if people who were victimized named names and told stories. Simply typing “#MeToo” does nothing for me. Were you brutally raped, or were you mildly offended? Heaven and earth, heaven and earth.
Of course, the counter-argument is simple: Anything that brings awareness to sexual harassment and sexual assault is a good thing, but really: We need awareness on this? We
you are no longer alone, but among true friends who understand your problem as few others could. We respect your anonymity as we know you will respect ours. We hope to give you the assurance that no situation is too difficult. The meeting is from 7-8 p.m. at Eagleville Hospital, 100 Eagleville Road, Eagleville, Pa. The conference Center entrance is to the first entrance coming from Ridge Pike. Drive straight to the back and park in the lot. At the top of the circle, are the double doors to the entrance. Walk down the hall to room 215 on the left.
NAACP MONTHLY MEETING
Fourth Tuesdays: Norristown NAACP monthly general membership meeting at Mount Zion AME Church, 1312 Willow St., Norristown. Meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
ASCENSION THRIFT SHOP
Wed. and Sat.: 1700 W. Main St., West Norriton. Thrift shop open every Wed. and Sat. from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. Clothing for the entire family, slightly used to unused, shoes, winter coats, gloves, hats. Household items — lamps, dishes, kids toys, unused puzzles, tools, model airplanes, model antique cars, baskets, seasonal items. Clean hb books, pb books, china, glass, small appliances. Much to see. New items arriving daily. Clean, slightly used, undamaged items and donations accepted during shop hours.
SECOND TIME AROUND SHOP
don’t know women are, and have been, the victims of sexual harassment and assault since the dawn of time? I think we’re pretty aware. Awareness is not the issue. Stopping asshats like Weinstein from committing these acts is the issue.
Which brings me back to my original idea. #RecOn. If I was someone who routinely sexually harassed or assaulted, I’d think twice if I knew my actions were going to be uploaded to the cloud. From restaurant kitchens to happy hours to casting couches, #RecOn would go a long way to stopping a lot of this nonsense. Wednesdays: The Second Time Around Shop, of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 535 Haws Ave., Norristown. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wed. Come and see our wonderful selection of new and gently used clothing for the entire family, as well as sheets, blankets, hats, coats, shoes, and purses. The shop also has housewares, books, collectables, jewelry, puzzles, toys and small electronic items for sale and all at prices that cannot be beat. We accept donations from the community of gently used and new items. Phone 610-2793990 Email: allsaints535@ yahoo.com.
ZUMBA
Tuesdays: Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@ danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www. academyofdanceandmusic. org.
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP
First Saturdays: The Huntington’s Disease Society of America invites caregivers, family, friends and those who are living with HD, as well as those who are at risk for HD to attend monthly support groups. Share your thoughts/feelings and get advice in a non-judgmental environment with other HD community members. Gain valuable community resource referrals from HDSA’s regional social worker/ group leader. The Plymouth Meeting group meets on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon in the Mercy Urgent Care center located directly next to Boscov’s at the Plymouth Meeting Mall (500 W. Germantown Pike). Contact the groups leader at khimebaugh@hdsa.org for additional information and upcoming guest speakers/activities. Visithdsa.org for additional HD information and resources.
RECOVERY GROUP MEETINGS
Mondays: Fairview Village Church hosts addiction support/ recovery group meetings. Men’s A to Z is a Biblical support/ recovery group that is open to men 18 years and over. Women’s Christian 12 Step support/recovery group is open to all women 18 years and over. Parents of Addicted Adult Children is a Christ-centered support group for parents who struggle with addicted adult children. We meet on Monday evenings at 6:45 p.m. at 3044 West Germantown Pike, Eagleville. You are welcome to join at any time. For more information, please call Pastor Rieger at 610-539-3333 ext. 249.
SECOND SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
Second Saturday: For recently divorced or widowed women hosted by the Women’s Independence Network meets the second Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Montgomery Community College, Parkhouse Hall, Room 118, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. This workshop will empower and educate women going through this major life change. Registration is $45 and pre-registration is required by 3 p.m. the Friday before. For more information and how to register, go to www. allaboutwin.com or call 855200-iWIN.