A Fair Accusation of Sexual Harassment or a Witch Hunt?

“In an interview with the BBC published early Sunday, director Woody Allen addressed the wave of allegations against Harvey Weinstein, calling it ‘tragic for the poor women’ but also warned against a ‘witch hunt atmosphere.’” — New York Times, 10/15/17

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1. George is a middle-aged man who works in an office with a younger female colleague, Annie. The female colleague wears a short skirt one summer day to the office. George comments, “Nice gams, Annie” and gives her a wink. Annie files a complaint with HR. Is this:

A. A witch hunt

B. A fair accusation of sexual harassment

2. In the year 1693 in Salem Village, Sarah Good is a woman living in poverty and disliked by the townspeople. A jury of men decide that she was a witch after forcing her to confess that she signed her name in the “Devil’s book,” a thing that does not exist. She is hanged several days after giving birth to a daughter. Is this:

A. A witch hunt

B. A fair accusation of sexual harassment

3. Lucas is a photographer in New York. He often comes in contact with models and sometimes when directing — whoops! — he gives them a quick pat on the bum. Several models have reported him, but nothing has been done. Is this:

A. A witch hunt

B. A fair accusation of sexual harassment

4. Sarah Osborne doesn’t go to church like the townspeople of Salem expect her to. Because of this, a group of men decide she is a witch and is accused of using dark magic to pinch several young girls in town with invisible knitting needles. They arrest her, put her in prison, where she dies. Is this:

A. A witch hunt

B. A fair accusation of sexual harassment

5. Anderson manages a restaurant. He hires a new server, named Ella. While rubbing her shoulders he tells her that if she wants more tips she should wear a lower cut shirt. Ella does not feel comfortable around Anderson, but needs a job to pay her rent, so she only mentions this to her friend who says he’s done it to her, too. Is this:

A. A witch hunt

B. A fair accusation of sexual harassment

6. Tituba is a woman from Barbados, but is now enslaved by white people in the town of Salem. She continues to practice her religion, which the people of Salem don’t understand. They assume it means she is a witch and beat her until she confesses and rambles about black dogs and riding on sticks, then imprison her, despite no evidence that witches actually exist. Is this:

A. A witch hunt

B. A fair accusation of sexual harassment

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Sexual harassment: 1, 3, 5

Witch hunt: 2, 4, 6