Speak up if you feel uncomfortable
At his first public event since a host of women have accused him of inappropriate touching, former Vice President Joe Biden cracked two jokes about the allegations.
Not taking a side, but as women, we need to start making it known when we don’t want a touch or a person in personal space. You can step aside, you can say excuse me and move away. And if that doesn’t work, tell them you don’t want to be touched. We need to stop worrying so much about embarrassing the other person or making them uncomfortable. Do it. Be polite, but be firm.
Kathy May
Does any one remember when a pat on the back meant “job well done,” when a hand on the shoulder and a light squeeze meant “I’m proud of you”? These accusations are starting to get way out of hand. Tom Rohr
Throughout my years, I’ve been hugged and had my shoulders squeezed. I never thought whoever was doing the hugging was a mind reader, so if I was uncomfortable with it I told them. Why is that so hard to do?
Vera Millar
Sorry, Biden, but you don’t “get it” and you are not “taking responsibility.” If you got it, you’d be able to admit that your understanding of making a connection has been skewed. Instead, you say our social norms have begun to change. Maybe your social norms have been reset, but these have always been women’s social norms.
Just because women are only speaking up now doesn’t mean there wasn’t discomfort. You’re not listening. If you were, we’d be hearing a different message from you. In a male-dominated political culture, what women have to say and the way they say it has been blown off too often. Wake up, Biden, and see how it really is. I hope you get the message someday.
Roberta Teijo Munnich WANT TO COMMENT? Have Your Say at letters@usatoday.com, @usatodayopinion on Twitter and facbook.com/usatodayopinion. Comments are edited for length and clarity. Content submitted to USA TODAY may appear in print, digital or other forms. For letters, include name, address and phone number. Letters may be mailed to 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA, 22108.