Joe Biden's inappropriate touching is the embodiment of male privilege

[hlthe2b]

1. In my decades on earth I have had both men and women that were demonstrative--more women

in fact and they were demonstrative with both genders --as Biden is as well.

While I'd agree that it is possible to use touch to intimidate (as Trump tries to do), context is everything and intent DOES matter. No hand on the should or a comforting hug from someone that is known to be gregarious and friendly is likely to have exertion of power/intimidation as its intent.

There are those who react badly to touch--those on the autism spectrum for instance. Again, context is everything and if you think that someone that is benign in their intent would not refrain upon being reminded of that well, that is a level of cynism that I'd not want to imagine.

Power is setting your own limits and letting the person KNOW that you'd prefer not to hug. All one has to do is flinch and say "thanks, but I'd rather not". That is self-empowerment. This older staunch feminist does NOT need to be infantilized by those who think I must be protected from the most benign of contact.

In the workplace, nothing more than a handshake or a toast of the glass/verbal praise in celebration of achievement is normally acceptable. But outside of the workplace, I'd hope we do not become the kind of society where a pat on the shoulder becomes scandalous or criminalized. If this is what some are going for, wait until my demise. I don't want a world like that.