Even if Katzky's confession is narcissistic and blind to the victim's perspective (and it is), even if it was made out of fear rather than genuine remorse (which we don't know) – the fact that it existed shows that we are in a very different place today. Than we were before. Before #MeToo.
The confession of the reporter Marcin Katzki from “Gazeta Wyborcza” caused great emotions. I drank, I ignored you, I overstepped the boundaries, and although I would not change anything, my heart aches for my victim – the author assures us in the text. A few hours later, it turns out that just a few weeks ago, he was expelled from the Polish School of Reporting for allegedly abusing his student, journalist Karolina Rogaska. The media and cultural bubble explodes with indignation, and a day later Gazeta Wyborcza stops cooperation with Kącki.
This vigorous response shows how much progress we have made in women's rights in recent years. Just ten years ago, this type of issue would have been swept under the rug at best, and at worst considered a sex scandal, discussed mostly in the context of female virtue. They were asked about the length of the victim's skirt, her sexual habits and whether publishing her texts was based on their value. The rioter will feel no pressure to justify himself, to improve himself, and even more so to assert his connections with feminists.
Even if Keck's confession is narcissistic and blind to the victims' perspective (and it is), even if the front page of a major daily was not the right place for it (it wasn't), even if it was made out of fear. And not sincere regrets (we don't know that) – the fact that it came about shows that we are in a completely different place today than we were before. #Me too since 2017.
Read also
Of course, this change primarily concerns the bubble of media and cultural elites. Victims of sexual violence continue to be treated unfairly by society and law enforcement agencies. Still, it's a significant change – because it was in this bubble that the belief that some people were allowed more was very often expressed. And this bubble will decide the professional fate of the reporter.
As a woman, I feel safer with this change. First, because guys started looking at themselves (not all, not always, but I can see the difference). Second, I know that if I were a victim of sexual assault, I would count on support. I'm also glad that the myth of the sensitive scoundrel and the loser, whom Ketsky desperately tried to save in his text, is already tempting a few, and for the generation younger than X, it is a definite archaism.
#MeToo in the Polish YouTube world. Stuw, Gargamel… and many more
Read also
I have no doubt that the perpetrator of sexual violence should be punished. I like the attitude of the “Wyborcza” management, who, as a result of the pressure of public opinion, stopped cooperation with the editor – because he remained in a power relationship with his employees and authors. I am also grateful to Karolina Rogaska for publicly sharing her suffering, because every such confession reduces the social acceptance of sexual violence and thus helps its future victims.
However, I am sorry to see a competition in the confession of who hates more Katzki, who criticized his books “before it was fashionable” or the scrutiny of people who like his text without knowing the context (for which the author is responsible. For lack of approximation or vague approximation). ). Not because I feel bad for Keck—he's cornered and not a victim in this situation—but because this kind of growth confirms the saddest conclusions that crowd psychology and social media researchers have come to. In a group, people hate each other most deliciously, most intensely, and without any embarrassment. Neither education nor social sensitivity protects against this.
Read also
I would have joined this team just a few years ago. In 2017, I'm outraged that sex offenders go unpunished and those in the bubble can even hope for environmental immunity under “Scumbag But Genius.” I felt powerless, so I thought all tricks were allowed. But today there is a different mood in the bubble. The balloon condemns the named perpetrator of violence and supports the victim. This results in the suspension of the editor. And I think we should end now.
When it is certain that the abuser will face consequences, his subsequent grilling has nothing to do with supporting the victims. It's more like punching a prone person. At this point, it is worth turning the righteous hatred, which the abused themselves are entitled to, and their allies to a limited extent, into constructive actions for the former (instead to the detriment of the abuser).
However, the occupational and environmental consequences are not all (although for the person emerging from Ketsky's text, these are probably the most severe consequences). Sex offenders continue to escape legal responsibility – nothing has changed about that, but it should. It is worth pressuring legislators to strengthen the protection of victims of violence by all available means. This is not achieved by publicly mocking Katzky's appearance or height, his writing style or swearing that “I never liked him”.
It is great that victims who cannot get justice in court are taking matters into their own hands. However, such a judgment – based on the call of public opinion for lack of other options – must be accompanied by certain rules. Punishment should be severe, but the offender should be entitled to humane treatment, protection and, most importantly, social rehabilitation. I don't think so out of sympathy for abusers. I don't have much. On the contrary, I am guided by the fear that judgment in the form of bare social emotion will ultimately harm the cause. If we don't cool them down, right-wing abusers' wet dreams may come true – abuse of the right to appeal may begin on a significant scale. What do I have to lose if I want to hurt someone in this – so easy – way?
(translate tags)fager 1