Personality conflict? Absolutely. Differences in how we think, express ideas and traverse the winding waters of professional expectations? No doubt. But as history has clearly shown us, just because two people are different, that does not make it acceptable or okay for the one in the power position to abuse and discriminate against the other because she is different – because her needs as a single mother of a young child are different from those of her peer colleagues, or because she is a female younger than he, and, therefore, prey in his eyes – she’s just another of the many unwitting victims he’s coaxed under his spell and cast aside, shameful of her existence, and scrambling to understand what just happened. Did he really just say that to me? Can he say that to me in the workplace? Is he permitted to talk to me like that? Aren’t there governing bodies within society who police against exactly this type of behavior? Perhaps the most anguishing question of all – will they listen to me and actually hear my valid concerns if I cry, “DISCRIMINATION! ABUSE! HARASSMENT!”? In my personal experience, no, no they will not.
Shame on you, Dr. "Jekyll," for your derisive, destructive and abusive behavior; and shame on you, Medical University, for continuing to turn a convenient blind eye to such grotesque and inexcusable egregious abuses of power. I suppose it’s far more convenient for you to accept millions of dollars a year in grants and donations stewarded by this monster than it is to do the right thing and stand up for those who also have much to offer, though no large checks in their coiffeurs to extend you for your silent compliance with unlawfulness. And so it is, just another Wednesday in May in the early 21st century in America. A very capable single mother struggles to support her family and seek gainful employment in place of what amounted to be yet another promising career leap shattered by the stark reality that we’ve made little progress with women’s rights and the reestablishment of civility in our society. You’re disappointed? Me too. #metoo
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