Men, including a former senator, told me of how shaken they were to hear from their wives and friends and mothers and coworkers about the ubiquity of sexual assault and harassment, how they had had their hair blown back by the anger they hadn't even known had been pent up.
In Rebecca Traister's book "Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger," she recounts the profound shock experienced by men when confronted with the extent of sexual assault and harassment in society. Conversations with their wives, friends, mothers, and colleagues revealed the widespread nature of these issues, which had previously gone unnoticed by many. The testimonies of these women highlighted a deep well of anger that had been simmering beneath the surface, awakening a new awareness among the men in their lives.
This revelation acted almost like a wake-up call, fundamentally changing how these men perceived the daily realities faced by women. The discussions compelled them to recognize not only the severity of sexual misconduct but also the emotional toll on the women sharing their experiences. Traister captures this shared moment of realization, showcasing how anger can drive collective awareness and foster meaningful conversations about change in societal norms and behaviors.
