Blowing WaterFrom cosy back rubs to lingering shoulder squeezes, just call it what it is: sexual harassment
When women are friendly, it is not an open invitation to get physically close, and no amount of claims of well intentions or cultural differences should excuse the stomach-churning actions of an abuser
When anyone in a position of power tries to disguise sexual harassment as a friendly gesture in a professional or social setting, we shouldn’t just brush it off and shy away from it. We need to call these harassers out. We must put them in their place so they can be punished for their crimes and understand the gravity of their actions.
Very often, these abusers will disguise their actions as something friendly and innocuous, so a seemingly innocent hug or kiss on the cheek may be followed by an unwelcome pat or grope. Other physical interactions, like a lingering rub on the back, or a squeeze on the shoulder or arm, are sometimes harmless exchanges, but abusers can also use these everyday social gestures to veil more sinister intentions.
One such public display of blatantly despicable behaviour was recently witnessed by millions around the world at the funeral service of American soul legend Aretha Franklin last month. The offender was none other than the officiating pastor, Charles H. Ellis III.
It couldn’t have happened in a more public setting. After pop star Ariana Grande’s performance to honour the “Queen of Soul”, she was at a pulpit alongside Ellis, who was seen on live television locking the singer’s tiny body in a side hug and curling his fingers on the side of her breast. It was so flagrantly open and deliberate, you couldn’t possibly miss it.
Ellis later apologised but excused himself and hinted it was unintentional by saying maybe he “crossed the border”.