March 6, 2018

Look Carefully At What’s Inside

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” – Matthew 23:25-26

Have you watched with fascination the fall of once powerful men caught up in scandals of their own making? This “Me Too!” movement has really caught on. Once fearful women have come forward with their tales of sexual harassment and abuse.

It’s about time, some say. Others are more skeptical, thinking that perhaps not all the complaints are true. Whatever your view, there’s a firestorm brewing as people are intent on taking down those who made them feel small and worthless.

These are some of the most powerful men around. They used their wealth and position to threaten women into submission. Some of the assaults were verbal. Others were physical. All were demeaning abuse.

And then there are the lesser comments and actions. There is the boss who made it clear that the only way to a promotion was a sexual encounter. Was it a big city company? No. That actually happened to a co-worker who worked for a reputable company in a small town. Her boss? A fine, upstanding man. A deacon in his church. Happily married with children. The sort of person you look up to because of his outward appearance. Inside? Well, not so much.

I once asked my boss why a male co-worker earned more money than me. I had more responsibility and experience. His answer? Well, the male co-worker had a wife and baby and needed the extra money. Seriously! I debated suing and finally just decided to leave. I was blessed to find a better paying job with a boss who didn’t consider gender in the pay equation.

What’s your story? Male or female, we all have them. Some discrimination comes from gender, some from color, some from nationality. Unfortunately, it’s often the ones who look the “cleanest” on the outside who are the most guilty.

We are all guilty of falling for the ruse. As the old saying goes: if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it must be a duck. Anyone who challenges that is just wrong and, sometimes, viewed as a troublemaker. Until one day, they’re not.

Some condemn these women for not speaking up sooner. Have you ever walked their path? Challenging someone powerful can cost you your livelihood, your reputation, your friends and family. We want to believe the smooth-talking man and not the woman who stumbles over her words as she tries to share her horror and disgust.

And for what? Do you believe them? Or do blame them? We live in a time when it’s common to blame the victim for the sins of the victimizer. Especially when money and power are involved.

Powerful people sometimes believe they are above the law, that they are above the standards of decency. Be wary of those who look too good. Be cautious around those who appear too smooth, too greedy, too self-indulgent. Just because someone looks good on the outside doesn’t mean they are clean behind closed doors.