Editorial

Perspective: Female candidate quits Kansas race over 2005 harassment suit

http://googleweblight.com/i?u=http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/female-candidate-quits-kansas-race-over-2005-harassment-suit&hl=en-JM&tg=524&tk=140417413723184

Perspective:

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

A Woman is finally accused publicly …

We normally read about males being investigated for sexual wrongdoing … now this epidemic seem to be spreading faster than a California wildfire. Ramsay, a female Kansas Democratic  candidate has withdrawn from an upcoming race due to a 2005 lawsuit which accuses her of sexual harassment by a dismissed male employee.

The lawsuit has been dropped as settlement talks are on the way.  Ramsay, a lawyer, was not named as a defendant.

Reputations Stained

In our perspective we are glad to see that our men have woken up and have decided to fight back.  Turning the other cheek is good as the Bible recommends, but it does not always work in the streets. Reputations are stained, incomes are lost and careers can be ruined for life. Allegations of sexual wrongdoing can stain an individual’s reputation indelibly.  Allegations by themselves, are not necessarily factual. When challenged can be thrown out in a court of law.

Bill Cosby

Matt Lauer walked away from NBC leaving a reported US$25 million dollars salary package due to a mere allegation. The claim of sexual misconduct was never proven. He had twenty years service.

Actor Bill Cosby, a renown internationally acclaimed household name was accused of substance doping for sexual favours by a number of a aggrieved women.  He had his day in court and the jury ruled. He is yet to be convicted. He did not roll over and play dead … he fought back. The jury was duly empaneled but seemed to have rubbished the claims. Is Cosby innocent?  We must trust the system. He played by the white man’s rules or rather the accepted justice system which is supposed to be colour blind. His guilt or innocence is not for us to decide … we may be biased … let us trust the jury. They heard all the facts and made their decision. Full stop.  Let us keep in our lane and not run the risk of accidents. Each individual is assumed innocent until proven otherwise by a competent court of law. This is not supposed to be a court of public opinion as many seem inclined to prefer.

Alas!  Women you are not immune from sexual allegations
claims.  It does not make you less a man to report that you have been raped or sexually harassed by a woman.  Sexual wrongdoing is not a one way street with traffic only legally allowed in one direction.

We hail this male complainant … even as we do not gloat at the demise of Ms. RAMSAY. Justice is the great equalized. One fit for all.

What is your perspective? This is ours. Feel free to disagree … do let us hear from you.

by Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper. He has a passion for matters legal.

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