Harassment and Confirmation Hearings

In response to “What the Senators Failed to Understand,” by Gloria Romero, Commentary, Oct. 16:

Romero’s article is a classic example of an argument that proves too much. If women, particularly bright, well-educated and accomplished women, are too timid--for whatever reason--to stand up for their rights, then what’s the point of having laws against sexual harassment? Worse than that, if smart, capable women are nearly as passive and timorous as depicted by Romero, then how can they insist that women should hold jobs as police officers, prosecutors and others who have to be assertive?

In today’s world women are not men’s pets. They are our equals; our sisters in humanity. They are entitled to be treated as such. But equality means not just receiving equal benefits, but also having to stand up for what is right and, yes, having to take guff in the process. Men have known this for a long time, and it is time for women to learn it too if they really want equality. For them, just as for all of us, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

GIDEON KANNER, Professor of Law Emeritus, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles