Rev. Dr. David Johnson Rowe
Greenfield Hill Congregational Church
1045 Old Academy Road
Fairfield CT 06824
Telephone: (203) 259-1790 (office) 203-259-5596 (church)
Garrison Keillor.
Garrison Keillor?!
The unfolding litany of sexual harassment scandals is shaking society, as men of power in politics, entertainment, and news have fallen.
What’s going on? Any lessons?
Do you know my story? Briefly: I was serving as President of Habitat for Humanity, International, when I learned of extensive sexual misbehavior by Habitat’s founder and CEO. After exhaustive investigations I confronted him with the facts. He resisted and, in time, fired me and anyone who stood with the women.
In my case the women were called “crazy,”“liberals,”“liars.” I was called “demonic,”“satanic,”“power-hungry.” People questioned the motives and timing. Same as now. As the Bible says, “there’s nothing new under the sun.”
I urge you to read chapter 4 of my book, “My Habitat for Humanity”. It is a perfect case-study of sexual harassment and the failure of organizations to deal with it justly. Copies are at the Church and the Church Office for any donation. Just take one.
People wonder why women don’t come forward or speak up at the time. But just look at the abuse heaped upon the accusers of Clinton, Trump, and Roy Moore. It may be that “the times, they are a-changin’,” and perhaps the sheer volume of reports will change things. But 10 years ago, 27 years, 40 years – would you want yourself, or your spouse, or daughter, or friend to go through the nightmare of vilification?
After I was fired from Habitat, another young woman came to me and told of fresh abuse by that Habitat CEO. She asked me what to do. I said, “report it to your supervisor.” She said, “and end up like you?”
Since 1990, many people have asked me what they should do about sexual harassment and abuse. I’ve told them all: don’t trust in the goodwill of your company or organization, and get a lawyer.
The reason? Everyone protects their turf. In my situation I discovered a hard truth: Conservatives worship a leader, Liberals worship a cause. In the Habitat case, the conservative Christians wouldn’t do anything to hurt the CEO. “He walks on water,” I was told. Liberals would not do anything to hurt the cause of housing for the poor. End result? For both liberals and conservatives, the women and those who knew them to be truthful were all expendable.
We see that today. Moore’s supporters and Franken’s, Clinton’s supporters and Trump’s, all have ideological and partisan reasons for discounting the women or dismissing the charges.
Since this is a pastoral letter, where’s the religion in this? Historically, our religion hasn’t helped much: We have Eve, forever the temptress, and Mary, forever the Virgin. In between, women were anonymous or absent. Religion and culture worked hand in hand to keep women submissive and silent, despite hints of equality here and there.
Yet Christianity has also been a force for the liberation and empowerment of women. Women’s education, women’s rights, women clergy,all are rooted in the best news of the Good News: that God’s love triumphs over our divisions.
I’ve heard many men begin their statements on sexual harassment with “I have daughters,” as proof they don’t want women treated badly. Maybe we need more men to say, “I have sons whom I will raise to never treat women badly.”
At Greenfield Hill we strive to treat every person with the dignity and respect innate in being a child of God. Let’s demand that of our society, culture, and nation.
God be with you,
David
P.S. If you have the book, remember: Chapter 4