This week the New York Times announced that it will not be firing Glenn Thrush, who had been accused of sexually inappropriate behavior, despite his “offensive” behavior. I can’t speak to the appropriate punishment for Thrush, but the New York Times’ inability to fully reckon with what happened speaks volumes. They offer no indication that the leadership understands why what Thrush did was wrong. They don’t address the way in which NYT staffers maligned one of the accusers, they don’t explain what their investigation found and most appallingly there is no recognition of the way that Thrush spread sexist gossip about the women he targeted in order to protect himself.
As the #MeToo movement continues on, we’re going to see decisions like this from institutions – dismissing women’s concerns is easier than fully addressing the way that misogyny and abuse functions in the workplace. But for a global leader like the Times to do this, it sends a clear message to women in media: one man’s career is more important than all women’s.
Glass half full
When the ball drops in Times Square this New Year Eve, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke will be there, doing the honors. Let’s hope 2018 does her incredible activism justice.
What I’m RTing
Sorry, not over it yet.
— Kate Harding (@KateHarding) December 21, 2017
Every woman who works at The Times has to go to work tomorrow knowing that that’s the decision they made. That’s whose career matters. That’s who they’ll go the extra mile for.
pundits: “how dare you accuse white voters of supporting trump’s racism”
— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) December 16, 2017
trump voters and their kids:https://t.co/DGs164c4Bc pic.twitter.com/xRbu69xcJT
I'm sure sexual assault charges in the military would decrease if men didn't serve https://t.co/JL2AHLB5B2
— Ellen K. Pao (@ekp) December 16, 2017
Just saw an ad for Matt Damon's new movie "Downsizing," and I said, "Geez, that looks stupid."
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) December 19, 2017
Without missing a beat, my husband said, "You should be talking about all the movies that don't look stupid, babe."
😆😆😆
Who I’m reading
The Cut with the year in journalists’ facial expressions; Jasmine Burnett on Omarosa; and Rose Troup Buchanan on what it’s like to have your period if you’re in a refugee camp.
What I’m watching
This Vox video on the kind of diet that helps curb climate change. The short version? Our dinner plate decisions do make a difference. Time to listen up.
How outraged I am
More and more men are coming out to say that #MeToo is going too far (looking at you NYT Opinion section). I’d be at a full 10 out of 10, but their fear over women finally getting justice makes me think we’re on the right track. So I’m oddly calm this week.
