The origin of the Me-Too Movement dates back to a post on Myspace in 2006. Activist Tarana Burke coined Me Too during an empathetic response to survivors of abuse. Burke focused on girls and women of color who had been raped or sexually assaulted. As America’s Me-Too Movement has evolved, men have lost their right to respond, often told by members of the media and shut up and listen, even if accusations that were made are untrue.
She spoke to Joseph day after day, but he did not listen to her, to lie with her or to be with her. 11 Then it happened about this time that Joseph went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the men of the house were indoors. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me! But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out [of the house]. 13 And when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled away, 14 She called to the men of her household and said to them, Behold, he [your master] has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock and insult us; he came in where I was to lie with me, and I screamed at the top of my voice. 15 And when he heard me screaming and crying, he left his garment with me and fled and got out of the house, Genesis 39:10-15.
The passage above details the Bible’s version of the Me-Too Movement. The context of this passage begins with the meteoric rise of Joseph from a Hebrew slave to the Caretaker of Potiphar’s estate. According to Moses, every other time that Potiphar’s wife made a pass at Joseph, there was always another maid or servant inside of Potiphar’s home. On this one occasion, no one could collaborate Joseph’s side of what happened. Subsequently, this Hebrew slave must be lying and was thrown in jail.
And she laid up his garment by her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him the same story, saying, The Hebrew servant whom you brought among us came to me to mock and insult me. 18 And when I screamed and cried, he left his garment with me and fled out [of the house]. 19 And when [Joseph’s] master heard the words of his wife, saying to him, This is the way your servant treated me, his wrath was kindled, Genesis 39:16-19.
The key piece of evidence is an article of clothing that Jospeh was wearing. Potiphar’s wife kept this close to her and laid on top of it, likely leaving the scent of her perfume on Joseph’s shirt. This was all the proof Potiphar needed to condemn his loyal servant. While modern women need to be protected from sexual predators, it’s a shame to see a good man’s reputation ruined forever due to false and misleading testimonies. Get the whole story before you jump to conclusions in the future.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 