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| Harrison Barnes |
Racism occurs when people feel prejudice or practice discrimination against others whose racial background differs from their own and when a particular racial group believes it is superior to others. All the other -isms are manifestations of the same sentiment: one group forms stereotypes and prejudices against another and then acts on those beliefs in a way that diminishes the other in some way.
Discriminatory beliefs function as a rationale for using power as an advantage over the other. They justify treating the other in ways that we would judge to be cruel or unjust if we applied them to our group.[1] Conflicts over racism, sexism, transgenderism, and all other types of bias and bigotry make the news every day. In each situation, there are two sides to the story: two factions dispute the consequences of power around a facet of identity. In-group and outgroup dynamics are at work, forcing people into insular camps. Moreover, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination facilitate people becoming entrenched in their opinions.
Racism in the News
In the summer of 2017, violence broke out between protesters and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia. White-power protesters had organized a rally to dispute the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee from Lee Park, recently renamed Emancipation Park. This was one protest in response to the removal of other Confederate monuments around the South that resulted from the Charleston church shooting in 2015 in which a white supremacist murdered nine people in a church in North Carolina. Counter-protesters at Charlottesville were from a wide array of ideologies, but they united in opposition to white supremacism.
Police were criticized for not being more proactive in deescalating the violent skirmishes that erupted throughout the city during the rally. More than two dozen people were injured and one woman died in a vehicular attack against counter-protesters, and the city descended into chaos.
President Trump reacted to the event on camera: “We all must be united and condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Let’s come together as one!” And, “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides.”
He was criticized for not condemning white supremacists directly, and for the next two days he expanded and defended his initial statements in the face of criticism from numerous fronts. He placed blame on both sides, called out the very violent alt-left, and registered his objection to the removal of Confederate statues as an attempt to change history: “Does anybody want George Washington’s statue [taken down]? No. . . . They’re trying to take away our culture, they’re trying to take away our history. And our weak leaders, they do it overnight.”[2]
In the Charlottesville rally, opposing groups demonstrated their viewpoints publicly on an issue of identity. Acts of violence and hate showcased the underlying intolerance of difference and racism that has fractured this country since before the Civil War. Demonstrations and rallies are one form of protest around issues of perceived social injustice. Protest is a form of expression that is protected as one of our civil liberties.
In 1918, Theodore Roosevelt said, “Free speech, exercised both individually and through a free press, is a necessity in any country where people are themselves free.” The right to freedom of expression, or free speech, is closely linked to the right to peaceful protest: “free speech would mean nothing if there was no right to use public spaces to make your views known.”[3]
Protest can take the form of mass demonstrations or individual statements, in which a person tries to enact change him- or herself. Colin Kaepernick, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers who led the team in the Super Bowl in 2012, became a lightning rod of controversy for kneeling during the national anthem, an action he took since 2016. Kaepernick stated he was protesting social injustice and police brutality toward minorities, not the flag or the military.
Though Kaepernick has not played football since 2016 when he opted out of his 49ers contract, he remains in playing shape. He has not, however, been picked up by a team, even teams that need an effective quarterback. Some in the NFL, the media, and the public believe Kaepernick has not been picked up because of his sociopolitical beliefs and his biracial background.
Kaepernick’s protest sparked similar dissent throughout the NFL. It raised the ire of wealthy team owners, most of them white, as well as President Trump.[4]
In response to player protests during the national anthem, Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, issued a statement that if any of his players knelt during the anthem, they would be benched for the game. After he issued his threat in October, all of the Cowboys players remained standing during the anthem, and President Trump praised Jones’s resolve.
It was debated whether Jones had the power to bench players because of their beliefs. The NAACP informed Jones that benching players for not standing during the anthem is a violation of their First Amendment rights. Some contend that, in football, white owners still have ultimate power and control over their multiethnic teams.[5]
In other professional sports, seven-time world champion and NASCAR team owner Richard Petty and multimillionaire NASCAR team owner Richard Childress both issued near-simultaneous statements that if any individual on their respective teams did anything other than stand during the national anthem, that person would be fired. These statements sparked a firestorm of arguments over First Amendment rights.
However, no firings occurred on either team, and the entire NASCAR community continued to stand during the national anthem. Trump praised NASCAR for not tolerating protests during the anthem. However, retiring NASCAR legend and fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. stated that he defends anyone’s right to protest however they want.[6]
Richard Petty Motorsports named Darrell “Bubba” Wallace as a full-time driver, making him the first full-time black driver in NASCAR in over fifty years of the sport. Wallace was regarded as one of the most influential “new” drivers in NASCAR and won championships in NASCAR’s lower-division race series.
His appointment came after individuals inside and outside NASCAR complained that the sport was biased and an ole white boys’ game that was in need of the same diversity that other popular American sports have accepted. Yet Richard “The King” Petty said they decided on Wallace because of Wallace’s raw, fearless talent alone and that he could care less about the color of Bubba’s skin.
Incidentally, Wallace, who is biracial, disagreed with the decision of other professional sports figures to kneel during the national anthem.[7]
In Game 3 of the 2017 World Series, the Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel was seen on national television making an ethnically insensitive motion with his face toward Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish. This occurred after Gurriel hit a second-inning homerun off Darvish.
Gurriel is Cuban and noted for his inability to hit against Asian pitchers. Darvish is Japanese-Iranian and was raised in Japan, where he is regarded as a superstar. After being criticized nationally for the gesture, Gurriel issued a strong apology to Darvish, and Darvish accepted Gurriel’s apology and left things at that, hoping to move on from the controversy.
As a consequence of Gurriel’s gesture, he was suspended for five games at the beginning of the 2018 MLB season. Although Gurriel was punished after his facial mocking of Darvish, his suspension did not occur during the World Series, which upset a great number of players and fans and deepened the controversy, which prompted some commentators to claim that advertising income and network ratings must out-value racial decency.[8]
Bias in Business in the News
Even with laws in place to protect Americans from unequal treatment, discrimination still occurs. Sexism is prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination on the basis of sex or gender. In the workplace, gender discrimination mostly centers around on hiring, pay inequity, and company culture. Injured parties claim that they were passed over for promotions based on their sex or gender, received pay that was less than that of colleagues of another gender in similar positions, or were treated unfairly on the basis of their sex or gender. Discriminatory company culture is more subtle and insidious and adds up to everything that makes it more difficult for one sex or gender to advance or succeed in a workplace.
The Civil Rights Act prohibits harassment in the workplace related to race, sex, national origin, and religion. But employers can get around liability for harassment using the Faragher defense. To exploit this soft spot in the law, employers (1) must provide a channel for employees to complain to (such as an HR department) and (2) take reasonable measures to prevent further harm. This gives employers a lot of latitude in dealing with reported abuse, and sometimes the steps they take to stop or prevent abuse, especially abuse committed by an economically valuable high-ranking employee, may be superficial.
In weighing the options for how to deal with the reported abuse by a prized employee, employers take profit, the effort to replace the employee, and the potential for litigation to be brought by the terminated employee into consideration. It’s often more practical for employers to allow the abuser to stay in place and to silence the matter with the aggrieved employee in other ways. Note that Fox News allowed Bill O’Reilly to keep his job until news of his sexual misconduct began to drive away advertisers.
Yet, “in a climate where victims speak freely, employers must now expect to publicly defend their employment decisions months or years later.” Complicity in burying complaints of harassment or discrimination could balloon into a PR nightmare and threaten a company’s all-important brand.[9] Public shaming of intolerable behavior, it turns out, is an effective way to trigger public discourse and spark a change in sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies.
Take Curt Schilling, a former All-Star baseball pitcher and analyst for ESPN, who was fired after he posted a message on social media deemed offensive. The image and his accompanying comment was in response to the North Carolina law barring transgender people from using public restrooms that did not match their gender assigned at birth. In a statement about his firing, ESPN said that it is an inclusive company and that Schilling was told his conduct was unacceptable.[10]
A Google engineer who wrote an “anti-diversity manifesto” was fired. The essay, titled “Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber,” recommended that, instead of focusing on gender diversity, the company should focus on ideological diversity. The manifesto also mentioned that women might not be in the company’s leadership positions because of differences in their preferences and abilities, not because of sexism.[11]
Sexual Harassment and Assault in the News
Sexual harassment and sexual assault are severe forms of sexism and are exactly about power and control, enacted in a sexual context. Perpetrators “feel entitled to other people’s bodies and disregard other people’s right to consent.”[12] Sovereignty of the body is also called self-ownership and individual autonomy. It’s the idea that your body is your property, that humans have a moral or natural right to have bodily integrity and exclusive control over their body and life.[13] “The principle of bodily integrity sums up the right of each human being, including children, to autonomy and self-determination over their own body. It considers an unconsented physical intrusion as a human rights violation.”[14] Every human being has this right, but violations in gender-based violence, such as sexual assault and harassment, more often affect women.[15]
Although the act is sexualized, the motivation stems from the perpetrator’s need for dominance and control. Such abuse arises in situations where there is a power differential between one person, who holds more power, controls more resources, wields more influence, and a target, who is in a less-powerful position and who needs or wants what the powerholder controls, such as a job, an opportunity, safety.[16] When “one person is in a position of authority over another, even the smallest gesture can acquire a new and different meaning.”[17]
Harvey Weinstein, a Hollywood producer and film executive, sexually assaulted complete strangers and actresses alike, using repetitive manipulative tactics to wear women down, such as “Don’t embarrass me” and “Don’t ruin your friendship with me,” in a decades-long pattern of sexual misconduct. He consistently set up supposed professional meetings or auditions with talent, asked them to his room, and if they refused he tried to coerce and terrorize them by threatening destruction of their career.
If he manipulated an actress into his room, he would begin by asking for a massage, giving a massage, or asking to be watched while showering. He bragged to his prey about how many actresses he had slept with in exchange for their roles to make it seem like it was an expected thing. Later, after allegations were made against him, he said he never had to resort to anything like Bill Cosby did, as in, drug women, which he deemed coercive.
Weinstein’s assistants were always complicit in his actions. In most of the rape cases, Weinstein had a key to the actresses’ rooms or intentionally sought them out in moments when he knew they would be vulnerable. He reached quiet settlements to make accusations go away and used spies to suppress allegations. When actress Rose McGowan was about to go public with her rape allegation against him, Weinstein hired Stella Penn Pechanac, an agent in a private Israeli intelligence firm who went by the name Diana Filip and posed as a women’s rights activist, to dissuade McGowan from accusing him publicly.[18]
Weinstein was fired from his company when his behavior was made public. Many of his friends, including notables such as Ben Affleck, came out against him. Many had feigned ignorance or remained silent until events prompted them to make public statements. Affleck posted a message to social media saying that the allegations against Weinstein make him “sick” and that he was “saddened and angry that a man who I worked with used his position of power to intimidate, sexually harass and manipulate many women over decades.”[19] Then women began making allegations against Affleck.
Quickly, this triggered the exposure of the sexual misconduct of numerous entertainment industry power players, including Affleck, Louis C.K., Andy Dick, Gary Goddard, David Guillod, Dustin Hoffman, Ethan Kath, Andrew Kreisberg, Benny Medina, Jeremy Piven, Brett Ratner, Twiggy Ramirez, Chris Savino, Mark Schwahn, Steven Seagal, Tom Sizemore, Kevin Spacey, George Takei, Jeffrey Tambo, James Toback, Bob Weinstein, Matthew Weiner, and Ed Westwick.[20]
Weinstein’s downfall also sparked the #MeToo social media campaign in which women denounced sexual harassment and misconduct by sharing their experiences of misogyny. Within a day, 4.7 million people around the world joined the conversation on Twitter. Facebook reported that more than 45 percent of users in the United States were friends with someone who posted a message including the words “Me Too.”
“On one side, it’s a bold declarative statement that ‘I’m not ashamed’ and ‘I’m not alone.’ On the other side, it’s a statement from survivor to survivor that says ‘I see you, I hear you, I understand you and I’m here for you or I get it,’” said Tarana Burke, creator of the #MeToo movement. She had originally started the campaign a decade earlier as a way to help young women of color who had survived sexual abuse and exploitation.[21]
The public shaming and reprisal in the entertainment industry quickly surged into other male-dominated areas. Twenty-five women accused well-known New Orleans chef John Besh of fostering an environment of vulgarity and sexism in his kitchens. Multiple women complained of harassment and mistreatment, but their complaints were ignored from a lack of human resources support. Besh stepped down from his company, but many attested that the restaurant industry continued to be rife with bullying and coercion of a sexual nature, if not flat-out sexual violence.[22]
After the Besh news, a chef and restaurant owner in New Orleans conducted an informal phone survey of other professional chefs and owners. What respondents agreed on was that company culture is set at the top. “When the leader isn’t setting an example of a welcoming, equitable and respectful workplace—and there’s no impartial staffer to go to—the entire organization can become toxic.”[23] Her findings also support the idea that employees need an objective agent, such as an effective human resources department, to register complaints with.
“Unless men in the restaurant industry, and in all industries, join the ranks, systemic change will never happen. As Jia Tolentino wrote…: ‘A genuine challenge to the hierarchy of power will have to come from those who have it.’”[24]
Jon McNeill, the president of global sales and service at Tesla, said, “As a father of a daughter, I do not want to be a part of an organization or create a culture that would limit her. I can’t help that I’m a white dude, but I can help the culture that gets created.”[25]
In the media, Mark Halperin, the well-known journalist and coauthor of a book on Barack Obama, was suspended by MSNBC over sexual harassment claims brought by five women. Halperin apologized for his behavior and said he would step back from his work to deal with his issue.[26]
Bill O’Reilly, host of the highest-rated political commentary show on cable, The O’Reilly Factor, was forced to resign from Fox News after it came to light that he had paid six women nearly $50 million to settle sexual harassment suits. The network was aware of the accusations made against O’Reilly, and “Rupert Murdoch and his two sons, Lachlan and James, as top executives of 21st Century Fox, decided … to retain O’Reilly despite being made aware of the fresh complaints. The next month, the company gave O’Reilly a contract extension worth $25m a year.” It added language to his contract saying he’d be let go if new allegations came up, which they did. When his show began to lose sponsors, O’Reilly was fired.
O’Reilly’s departure followed that of Roger Ailes, the former Fox News chairman, who was accused of sexual misconduct. Fox publicized taking steps to remake its corporate culture: “21st Century Fox has taken concerted action to transform Fox News…installing new leadership, overhauling management and on-air talent, expanding training, and increasing the channels through which employees can report harassment or discrimination.”[27]
Power does corrupt, and those who stand to gain economically by keeping quiet about misconduct are complicit in perpetuating the corruption. Politics, the ultimate field in which power plays, abounds with sexual harassment. One commentator says:
For my own part, I received a crash course in all this in Washington during the 1990s, where I spent five formative years. The city was shaken by a series of sexual harassment scandals that yielded two valuable lessons. One was that an atmosphere of casual sexism might constitute a “hostile working environment” even when it did not involve a specific word or gesture directed at a specific woman. Another was that “consent” loses much of its meaning when one person holds power over another.[28]
A majority of people interviewed who worked in Congress said they experienced sexual harassment or knew someone there who had. Female workers in the capital, from aides to senators, must learn the unwritten rules to avoid being sexually harassed or abused. “There is also the ‘creep list’—an informal roster passed along by word-of-mouth, consisting of the male members most notorious for inappropriate behavior, ranging from making sexually suggestive comments or gestures to seeking physical relations with younger employees and interns.”[29]
Despite the reprisal of other powerful figures in various industries, it’s not likely that the culture in politics will change. “The power dynamics in Washington contribute to this problem.” The power hierarchy often takes the shape of one central figure at the top on whose success the rest of the network’s chances rest. Underlings are reluctant to make waves that would jeopardize their position or get the leader in trouble.[30] On the other hand, “sometimes, the sexual advances from members of Congress or senior aides are reciprocated in the hopes of advancing one’s career—what one political veteran bluntly referred to as a ‘sex trade on Capitol Hill.’”[31]
During Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign for the U.S. presidency, the most powerful position in the world, eleven women accused him of sexual misconduct. Why were those allegations brushed aside as lies and “locker-room talk,” but accusations against Harvey Weinstein, a person of relatively lower stature, snowballed into #MeToo and orchestrated the disgrace, firing, and takedown of multiple abusers across sectors of society?
It may have to do with the social standing of the accusers relative to that of the accused. “Weinstein’s sexual harassment scandal is unlike almost every other in recent memory because many of his accusers are celebrities, with status, fame, and success commensurate with his own. Sexual harassment is about power, not sex, and it has taken women of extraordinary power to overcome the disadvantage that most accusers face.”[32]
The three dimensions of the social hierarchy—power, status, and influence—come into play and determine whose voice will be heard. When people have power but no status, they may exercise authority or control over others. But for people who have no power, it is status that helps them to have a voice that is heard.[33]
Although most perpetrators are men, and there is a general pervasive myth that men have an uncontrollable biological need for sex, sexual misconduct is about power and “has more to do with how men are socialized, and how our society has constructed gender and masculinity, than biology.”[34] No doubt, denying, disputing, or ignoring claims of sexual misconduct worsens the trauma and shame for survivors. But when perpetrators face few consequences for their abuse, it fosters an environment that perpetuates violence, disrespect, and abuse of power.
Since the Weinstein scandal, a number of people who have been sexually harassed have come forward and named their abuser. Admitting to harassment is unusual because so much is at stake for accusers; the current tidal wave of exposures represents a significant change in public consciousness, and perhaps power dynamics.
Power disparities affect people’s—or a nation’s—behavior in relation to difference. Just as sexual harassment threatens a person’s bodily sovereignty, illegal immigration threatens the sovereignty of the United States, the argument goes. President Trump is building a wall between the United States and Mexico to stop illegal immigration because it is believed that illegal immigrants pose a security hazard; they bring crime, gangs, and drugs; they steal jobs from Americans; and they use the country’s social welfare system without contributing to it, placing an undue burden on the American people.
Sovereignty is the power of a state—or an individual—to do what is necessary to govern itself. “By not exercising ‘control’ over borders through actively blocking immigrants . . . the United States government would surrender a supposedly vital component of its national sovereignty.”[35] Notice a state must first have power in order to protect its sovereignty; on the personal level, lack of power leads to breaches of bodily integrity in the form of sexual harassment and to the unfair treatment in the form of discrimination.
In the following quotations, substitute the name of any less-empowered group for “women,” substitute the name of any powerholding group for “men,” and see how the concept applies across all the -isms:
After the revelations about Weinstein and others…issues like unequal pay and lack of promotion might seem minor by comparison. They aren’t, of course, Weinstein-level problems—but they are the problems that create men like Weinstein. It’s the imbalance of pay and power that puts men in a position to harass, that gives them unchecked control over the economic lives of women and, as a result, influence over their physical lives. These subtler forms of discrimination, familiar to almost any woman who has held a job, can in fact be especially insidious, since they are easier for companies, and even victims, to dismiss.[36]
Men who demean, degrade or disrespect women have been able to operate with such impunity—not just in Hollywood, but in tech, venture capital, and other spaces where their influence and investment can make or break a career. The asymmetry of power is ripe for abuse.[37]
The cases of racism and sexism that have come to public attention seem to point to the power held by white males in our society as the problem. “The U.S. has always been and remains a culture in which white men embody the vast majority of power, through both economic and political might as well as the accumulated advantages of privilege simply from being white and male.”[38]
This is an observation, not a value judgment. We can see and acknowledge that there are relative differences in power, status, and influence among us[39] and that power differentials in human relations lead to more advantages and benefits accorded to some, and less to others. Let me reiterate: those are facts. I am not saying this is fair. I am not saying this is right or wrong. It is the way our society operates now.
What is wrong is when a person in a relative position of power uses that power to coerce another into an unsafe act. What is wrong is when a person in a relative position of power acts on a prejudice based on a stereotype to discriminate against another. What is wrong is when a person in a relative position of power withholds or limits another’s opportunities to pursue health, welfare, and purpose in life. Whether power is earned or inherited, it demands to be used responsibly with empathy and respect.
Click Here to Reach Chapter 2: Aspirations Toward Equity and Social Justice
Click Here to Reach Chapter 4: The Pro-Diversity Position
Click Here to Reach Introduction/Table of Contents
[1] Facing History and Ourselves, Holocaust and Human Behavior (Boston: Facing History and Ourselves, 2017).
[2] “Unite the Right Rally,” Wikipedia, edited November 26, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally#First_statement.
[3] “Free Speech and Protest,” Liberty, https://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/human-rights/free-speech-and-protest.
[4] “Colin Kaepernick,” Wikipedia, edited November 26, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Kaepernick; Martenzie Johnson, “Colin Kaepernick’s Parents Break Silence: ‘We Absolutely Do Support Him,’” ESPN, December 10, 2016, http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18247113/colin-kaepernick-parents-break-silence-speak-support-criticized-quarterback.
[5] Scott Davis, “Jerry Jones Says Cowboys Players ‘Disrespectful to the Flag’ Will Not Play,” Business Insider, October 9, 2017, http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-jones-cowboys-anthem-disrespect-flag-will-not-play-2017-10; A. J. Perez, “NAACP to Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones: Benching Players for anthem Kneeling Violates Rights,” USA Today, October 10, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/10/10/naacp-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-benching-players-anthem-kneeling-violates-rights/750455001/.
[6] Jordan Bianchi, “NASCAR Team Owners Threaten to Fire Anyone Who Doesn’t Stand for national anthem,” SBNation, September 24, 2017, https://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2017/9/24/16358654/nascar-team-owners-richard-petty-richard-childress-stand-national-anthem-president-donald-trump; Jordan Bianchi, “Dale Earnhardt Jr. Defends Right to Protest After NASCAR Owners Threaten to Fire Anyone Who Sits for Anthem,” SBNation, September 25, 2017, https://www.sbnation.com/2017/9/25/16360774/dale-earnhardt-jr-tweet-national-anthem-flag; Ted Johnson, “Trump Praises NASCAR for Not Tolerating Protest During National Anthem,” Variety, September 25, 2017, http://variety.com/2017/politics/news/donald-trump-nascar-nfl-national-anthem-1202569734/.
[7] Lars Anderson, “You Can’t Be Afraid to Go Fast,” Bleacher Report, November 8, 2017, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2742908-you-cant-be-afraid-to-go-fast.
[8] Scott Lauber, “MLB Mulls Discipline After Yuli Gurriel’s Insensitive Gesture,” ESPN, October 28, 2017, http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21189685/houston-astros-yuli-gurriel-apparently-mocks-los-angeles-dodgers-yu-darvish.
[9] Elizabeth C. Tippett, “Public Shaming of Workplace Harassers May Force Employers to Stop Protecting Them,” The Conversation, November 8, 2017, https://theconversation.com/public-shaming-of-workplace-harassers-may-force-employers-to-stop-protecting-them-87139.
[10] Richard Sandomir, “Curt Schilling, ESPN Analyst, Is Fired Over Offensive Social Media Post,” New York Times, April 20, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/sports/baseball/curt-schilling-is-fired-by-espn.html.
[11] See Elizabeth Weise, “Engineer Behind Google Anti-Diversity Memo Confirms Firing: Report,” USA Today, August 8, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/08/07/engineer-behind-google-anti-diversity-memo-reportedly-fired/547348001/.
[12] “Sexual Assault Misconceptions,” Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, University of Michigan, https://sapac.umich.edu/article/52.
[13] “Self-Ownership,” Wikipedia, edited October 5, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-ownership.
[14] “Bodily Integrity,” Child Rights International Network, https://www.crin.org/en/home/what-we-do/policy/bodily-integrity.
[15] “Bodily Integrity,” Wikipedia, edited November 18, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodily_integrity.
[16] Lyn Yonack, “Sexual Assault Is About Power,” Psychology Today, November 14, 2017, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/psychoanalysis-unplugged/201711/sexual-assault-is-about-power.
[17] Jonathan Freedland, “On Sexual Harassment We Men Need to Be Clear: The Problem Is Not Women, It’s Us,” Guardian (Manchester), November 3, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/03/stop-blaming-sexual-harassment-victims-confront-culprits-men-exploiting-power.
[18] Tamar Pileggi, “Israeli Stella Penn Pechanac named as Weinstein spy,” Times of Israel, November 9, 2017, https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-veteran-stella-penn-pechanac-identified-as-weinstein-spy/.
[19] Kevin Slane, “What to Know About the Harvey Weinstein Scandal, the Ben Affleck Allegations, and How Matt Damon Fits In,” Boston Globe, October 24, 2017, https://www.boston.com/culture/entertainment/2017/10/12/what-to-know-about-the-harvey-weinstein-scandal-the-ben-affleck-allegations-and-how-matt-damon-fits-in.
[20] Sara M. Moniuszko, “List: All of the Hollywood Power Players Accused of Sexual Assault or Harassment,” USA Today, November 3, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2017/11/03/list-all-hollywood-men-accused-sexual-assault-harassment/827004001/.
[21] Cassandra Santiago and Doug Criss, “An Activist, a Little Girl and the Heartbreaking Origin of ‘Me Too,’” CNN, October 17, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/17/us/me-too-tarana-burke-origin-trnd/index.html.
[22] Jen Agg, “A Harvey Weinstein Moment for the Restaurant Industry?” The New Yorker, October, 26, 2017, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/a-harvey-weinstein-moment-for-the-restaurant-industry.
[23] Chelsea Brasted, “16 New Orleans Chefs, Restaurant Owners Speak Out on John Besh Sexual Harassment Allegations,” Times-Picayune, October 28, 2017, http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_response_new_orleans.html.
[24] Agg, “A Harvey Weinstein Moment for the Restaurant Industry?” https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/a-harvey-weinstein-moment-for-the-restaurant-industry.
[25] Sheelah Kolhatkar, “The Tech Industry’s Gender-Discrimination Problem,” The New Yorker, November 20, 2017, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/11/20/the-tech-industrys-gender-discrimination-problem?mbid=nl_Daily%20111317%20Nonsubs&CNDID=10097111&spMailingID=12348564&spUserID=MTQ0ODYwOTkwNTgyS0&spJobID=1281239126&spReportId=MTI4MTIzOTEyNgS2.
[26] Associated Press, “Journalist Mark Halperin Suspended by MSNBC over Sexual Harassment Claims,” Guardian (Manchester), October 26, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/26/mark-halperin-sexual-harassment-suspended-msnbc.
[27] Reuters, “Bill O’Reilly Settled $32m Sexual Harassment Claim Before Signing Fox News Deal—Report,” Guardian (Manchester), October 21, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/oct/21/bill-oreilly-32m-harassment-claim-fox-news-deal.
[28] Freedland, “On Sexual Harassment We Men Need to Be Clear,” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/03/stop-blaming-sexual-harassment-victims-confront-culprits-men-exploiting-power.
[29] J. Lee, Sunlen Serfaty, Sara Ganim, and Juana Summers, “‘Nothing About It Felt Right’: More Than 50 People Describe Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill,” CNN, November 14, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/14/politics/sexual-harassment-congress/index.html.
[30] Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Why Sexual Harassment Persists in Politics,” New York Times, November 2, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/us/politics/why-sexual-harassment-persists-in-politics.html.
[31] Lee, Serfaty, Ganim, and Summers, “‘Nothing About It Felt Right,’” http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/14/politics/sexual-harassment-congress/index.html.
[32] Jane Mayer, “Anita Hill on Weinstein, Trump, and a Watershed Moment for Sexual-Harassment Accusations,” The New Yorker, November 1, 2017, https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/anita-hill-on-weinstein-trump-and-a-watershed-moment-for-sexual-harassment-accusations.
[33] Valeria Maltoni, “The Difference between Power and Status,” Conversation Agent, http://www.conversationagent.com/2016/02/the-difference-between-power-and-status.html.
[34] “Sexual Assault Misconceptions,” Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, University of Michigan, https://sapac.umich.edu/article/52.
[35] Alex Nowrasteh, “National Sovereignty and Free Immigration Are Compatible,” Cato at Liberty (blog), CATO Institute, April 28, 2014, https://www.cato.org/blog/national-sovereignty-free-immigration-are-compatible.
[36] Sheelah Kolhatkar, “The Tech Industry’s Gender-Discrimination Problem,” The New Yorker, November 20, 2017, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/11/20/the-tech-industrys-gender-discrimination-problem?mbid=nl_Daily%20111317%20Nonsubs&CNDID=10097111&spMailingID=12348564&spUserID=MTQ0ODYwOTkwNTgyS0&spJobID=1281239126&spReportId=MTI4MTIzOTEyNgS2.
[37] Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as quoted in Sheelah Kolhatkar, “The Tech Industry’s Gender-Discrimination Problem,” The New Yorker, November 20, 2017, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/11/20/the-tech-industrys-gender-discrimination-problem?mbid=nl_Daily%20111317%20Nonsubs&CNDID=10097111&spMailingID=12348564&spUserID=MTQ0ODYwOTkwNTgyS0&spJobID=1281239126&spReportId=MTI4MTIzOTEyNgS2.
[38] P. L. Thomas, “Power, Responsibility, and the White Men of Academia,” Huffington Post, May 30, 2017, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/power-responsibility-and-the-white-men-of-academia_us_592d58bce4b08861ed0ccbce.
[39] Michael W. Kraus, “Status Hierarchies: Do We Need Them?” Psychology Today, October 2, 2012, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/under-the-influence/201210/status-hierarchies-do-we-need-them.
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
About BCG Attorney Search
BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
