You've probably heard about it, the DSK affair. The papers are full of it. Almost everyone has an opinion about it. Even before the verdict has been given, whether the big IMF man is guilty of rape, some reactions speak volumes ..
You've probably heard about it, the DSK affair. The papers are full of it. Almost everyone has an opinion about it. Even before a verdict has been given, whether the big IMF man is guilty of rape, some reactions speak volumes.
I have to admit that when I saw the news almost live here in NY, my first thought was, that can't be. It's a conspiracy. At that time I didn't know the details yet. I was listening with half an ear and it sounded like DSK had run after this chambermaid through the hallways of a hotel and "grabbed" her in one of the closets. You really have to be crazy to do something like that, I thought. I also heard that he was an opponent of Sarkozy and I know that in politics conspiracies are devised that no normal person would think possible.
Yet at the same time I thought, why would you believe that man? As a woman I always tend to side with the victim, especially when it comes to rape. The numbers speak for themselves, why not in this case? Is it, I thought, because he is a prominent man at the IMF? Is it because he is white? Would you have thought the same if it was a black man? I decided to remain neutral until I had heard the facts from various media.
The test results were not yet in when Brian Lehrer of WNYC radio told his guest that things were looking very bad for SDK. The maid, an immigrant from one of the poorest African countries, had worked for the hotel for eight years. She is known as exemplary, reliable and hardworking.
During the radio show a woman called in with a heavy Jamaican accent. I was also a chambermaid she said and I believe the maid. “You wouldn’t believe how often it happens, that men walk around in their towels or even naked when you come into the room and make advances.” Those guys are horrible! you said. “I trust her, I believe her,” she repeated a few times. “There is the occasional chambermaid who will accept the offer for money, but that is not the norm.”
All in all, a program that gave me deeper details about the case. I was especially pleased to hear that Sofitel's policy is to protect its employees. There is a special procedure for these types of incidents. More importantly, the complaints are taken seriously and here a subtle but very important cultural difference comes to the surface.
In no other country are women's issues taken as seriously as in America. Sexual harassment is not swept under the carpet as was the case with the French journalist who had already filed a complaint against SDK. The answer of the French police: "We have better things to do". This incident shows, in my opinion, the difference in how women's rights are treated. How free are you as a woman if you have nowhere to go with a complaint of sexual harassment?
The sad thing is that there are women who ignore this and more or less stand up for SDK. Even if he is not found guilty of rape I do not have one drop of pity for this old pervert. I do not believe I have higher morals than the average western mortal when I say that a 62 year old man should not have anal sex with a chambermaid 30 years younger. The ratio just screams: WRONG! Find a woman your own age if you must or hire a prostitute over the age of 21. Then the ratio is clear but keep your hands off your subordinates. It does not belong. Not in France, not at the IMF and hooooo, certainly not in the US.
I'm really not a hater but I can't believe that one of the most powerful men in the world can suddenly be seen as a victim. SDK must have worked really hard to gain so much wealth and power, because what he achieved doesn't just happen to you. All respect for that. He must have also enjoyed the benefits that come with it, that's what you do it for and there's nothing wrong with that.
However, the position of a millionaire with a high office also has some disadvantages, even though they are far outweighed by the advantages. Still, you have to take them into account. Especially if you are also running for the presidency. There are bound to be a few who are out to get you, perhaps more so than any other mortal with a regular job. If one of the latter pinches a maid on the backside without permission, he will be fired just as quickly. That is not pathetic, that is the way it should be. Why does half the world think that SDK should be treated differently?
Just as the press was there when he announced his great successes to the world, the press was there when he made a mistake. He knew he was making a mistake, it was a mistake he had apparently made before and had never been punished for, so why wouldn't he try again? He knew better than anyone what was at stake, he took the risk and now he has to bear the consequences. Is that sad? I don't think so at all.