2 / 29 / 2024
Dear Friends,
We need to stop excusing bad behavior.
Listen, I understand hard-core fandom as I, too, have massive respect for certain athletes, performers, and even some visionary entrepreneurs. But sometimes someone we really admire does something we know is bad. Whether it’s an outburst, a fight, or even a DUI, we’re all human and everyone makes mistakes. I view these as opportunities to learn, to grow, and to move forward.
The thing is . . . that only works when there’s accountability involved. You can’t learn from bad behavior if you don’t acknowledge and address it.
When celebrated men hurt women and we don't speak up, we’re sending our girls a terrible message. We’re showing them that whatever contribution that person made in the arena, on the stage, or in the boardroom was more important than whomever they harmed in the process. When it comes to our girls, that messaging is brutal.
Some examples:
When one of the University of Illinois’ basketball team starters is accused of rape, and his trial is subsequently postponed until after his basketball season is complete – we’re showing our girls that he “might” be a rapist, but we’ll wait and figure it all out after he leads his team to March Madness.
When Chris Brown or Sean (Diddy) Combs are repeatedly accused of sexual assault – yet continue to win awards and sell out concert venues – we’re showing our girls that the word of all these people doesn’t compare to the music we love so much.
And most recently - when Netflix pays $5 BILLION for streaming rights for the WWE after decades of accusations against their founder, Vince McMahon – we’re not pretending that Netflix didn’t do their due diligence beforehand, it’s just that they didn’t care enough about what they found.
Listen, Kids LOVE seeing the passion their Dads have for their favorite people and things. That excitement is palpable and infectious and often becomes a bond that transcends the generations. It’s powerful.
But there’s even more power in your reactions. A dad who vocally and publicly condemns violence and sexual assault on women – regardless of the profession or the electrifying talent of the perpetrator - is modeling something enormously important to his daughter. He’s showing her, and the world, that some things are just irrevocably unacceptable.
Drawing that line matters. Even more than your energy, these girls are watching your support of them, as girls. So stop pretending you don’t see the bad behavior. Call it out loudly and with anger – with all that beloved passion, respect, and adoration . . . for your girls. 💜💙
