ALY RAISMAN: MY NEW HERO

Aly Raisman is my new hero.

I have not read her book. I have seen a couple of her interviews. I am impressed with her determination to make changes and bring awareness to her issue in her sport. I applaud her strength. I did not have her strength at her age.

We are in an era where we are in between the old and new theories about harrassment. A recent experience highlights the problem. A man walked up to me and grabbed my but. He proceeded to pat me on the but as he talked to me. I was offended. He violated me. He did not know me. He did not know me well enough to be that familiar with me. I did not want to create a scene in my situation at the time. I walked away and avoided him. I should not have had to do that. Men should be aware of their behavior. They may do that to their wives or girlfriends. They should not do this to total strangers. I had to control the urge to slap him and make a scene.

Men must change their behavior. I also remember when I went to the emergency room for treatment of my cold when my son was having open heart surgery. I could not visit him with the cold. The doctor offended me by examining my breast and breathing in my ear and on me. It was clear that he was aroused. I ignored him and he did not proceed further. I do not know what he would have done if I had not been Black. He was clearly inappropriate. I was in my twenties at the time. I did not know what to do. Aly’s situation reminded me of that time. We have ignored these incidents and blamed ourselves somehow. It was our dress or sexiness. It is time to stop the victim shame. We are not to blame for men’s misconduct. We must start calling them out snd holding them accountable for their actions.

Aly Raisman is my new hero! May God give her the strenth to reach her goal. We should hold her in the light!