/EDITORIAL riCiTm.
American sexuality
remains unchanged
As the fires sparked by the Thomas hearings are slowly
extinguished, men and women alike are left to ponder the
issue of sexual harassment and what appears to be the
rampaging sexuality of the nation.
Many males scoffed that they could no longer talk jokingly
about sex with women (without it being termed harassment),
while women grew defensive. Psychologists analyzed it,
women's groups held panels on it, classes discussed it, and
Geraldo covered it.
And what's happened to the sexuality of America? Have
we tightened the reins? Tethered the animal? Clamped down
on the multi-million-dollar industry of pornography? Not
exactly. What has happened? Basically nothing.
While the outcome of the hearings did change the way
some intelligent men and women relate to one another, I
don't think it's an issue that had an equal impact on all
Americans. I know I personally have not seen any
noteworthy changes in society. Sex is still a hot topic among
both men and women, pornographic movies are still popular
(especially a certain one), and Harrisburg construction
workers are still very outspoken.
Last week I had the great displeasure of encountering a
very distinguished-looking, older gentleman, who obviously
didn't give a rip about sexual harassment. Didn't give a rip
that I was the same age as his daughter. And definitely didn't
give a rip if he made me feel uncomfortable or threatened in
any way.
I was just doing my job, checking the videos he had just
returned into the system, when it started. First it was just a
question. Had I ever seen either of the movies? "Anal
Angels" and "Edward Penishands" were the "movies," and I
use that term VERY loosely.
A rush of heat spread up my neck through the top of my
head as I turned a color I can only describe as "stop sign red."
I gave him a curt "no," and continued looking down at my
computer terminal.
Then more questions. Did I ever watch "those kinds of
movies?" Did I have a boyfriend? Did he like "those kinds
of movies?" Would I like to "watch them with him?" My
response to all his questions, "I don't answer personal
questions from strangers."
I tried to remain businesslike, collect the money and get
him the hell out of there when I realized I was alone with
him. My manager had gone to the back room to get change,
and no one else was near the counter. No one heard the rude
comments or saw the redness of my face. No one could help
me and later, no one would believe me.
I asked him for the $6 he owed and he held out a ten. I
reached for the bill and he grabbed my hand. His hands were
warm and sweaty. He brought his other hand up and put it on
my shoulder. More questions. "What's your name,
darling?" "Are you looking for a man?"
I stepped back from the counter and broke his hold, took
$4 from the drawer and tossed it on the counter. The cocky
bastard smiled and picked it up. I turned and walked as fast
as my shaky legs would carry me. A lady was waiting at the
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A newspaper for the student body
( Capital Times }
Editor in Chief... Karen M. Putt
News Editor... T. J. Brightman
Sports Editor... Michael Givler
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counter, but I left her stand and headed for the bathroom
where I washed my hands four times.
When I returned to the counter I told the manager about it.
She was disgusted and outraged, and said she’d get the owner
(a man) to close his account. But the man, who rents two
porno movies a day, is a valuable customer to the store
owner. He has spent over a thousand dollars at the store, and
never bothered a fly. As for me, I only work there two days
a week and I have another job. Solution? Avoid him. Let
other people wait on him and don't give him a chance to be
alone with me. Neat.
I guess it's true, the more things change, the more they stay
the same.
A
4.m
CONTEXTUAL HARASSMENT
f f ?
lit
Knren Tt. Putt
Ectttor -in-chief