(Editor’s Note: During the 75th Golden Globe awards, which aired on Sunday, January 7, 2018, many celebrities wore black to protest sexual harassment and to support anti-harassment initiatives that grew out of the scandals involving prominent entertainment figures including, but not limited to, Harvey Weinstein, co-founder of Miramax.)
Last Sunday night I did something that I never do.
I watched the Golden Globes.
Actually, I didn’t watch the whole show. I watched about five minutes. Enough to see one globe.
I turned it off because of the black dresses.
Well, that’s not true either.
I didn’t turn it off because of the black dresses, I turned it off because many of the dresses were…, ummm, well, how shall I say this…., low-cut? revealing? In other words, (and forgive my vocabulary here, but I’m trying to make a point) many of the “dresses of protest” failed to adequately cover the breasts of the person wearing it.
I’m no Harvey Weinstein, but the last thing I need is sexual temptation. It’s the last thing every guy needs!
In my brief and amateur observation of this award show and protest, I was struck by the fact that many, but not all, of the women who were standing against sexual misconduct in Hollywood, were wearing dresses that drew attention to their boobs. Does anybody else see the irony in this or is it just me?
Please don’t get me wrong or take my comments out of context.
We should have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, harassment, and inappropriate behaviour in any workplace. Every single man, woman, boy, and girl deserves to be honoured and treated with respect. We are all made in the image of God. Those who violate others and behave inappropriately should make amends and get help.
Women should feel empowered to say something and stand up for any wrong they have experienced.
But shouldn’t they also dress and act in a way that is modest? As those who follow Jesus and claim to love one another, we need to, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “…look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
How will your choice of outfit affect those who see you? Will they look at your heart and amazing personality, or will they be tempted by your body? And why would you want to tempt anyone?
Our culture is over-sexualized. Temptation is rampant. There is an epidemic of pornography which is destroying men, women and families. This is fuelled by the images and videos that we see in the media. We need to guard our heart and our mind. We need to be careful where we gaze, what we say, and where we allow our minds to drift. (If you’d like help in this area, for you or someone you know, check out StrengthToFight.ca, a Canadian website fighting for a porn-free culture.)
Men should treat the women in their home, school, and workplace with respect.
And women should dress in a way that makes it easy for them to do so.
I’m interested in your comments and opinion. Please feel free to share your thoughts.