To the editor:

In the recent letter satirizing the very real danger of toxic masculinity, the letter only served to project it further.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse did a tremendous job in questioning Brett Kavanaugh, demonstrating integrity, dexterity, and common sense.

By being upset that Sen. Whitehouse questioned Kavanaugh about his high school yearbook, it is dismissing the impact that these formative years can have on everyone’s life. High school has a significantly greater, not to mention permanent, impact on those who have been the targets of bullying and sexual assault. Undermining and downplaying these premeditated offenses is incredibly outdated, dangerous, and lack resolution.

We women have all been sexually harrassed/assaulted at least once in our lifetimes in various ways. These can range from cat-calling, being groped, being chased, being grinded against without consent, and worse. All of these offenses are scary, traumatizing, and dehumanizing. We experience them on a daily basis, and they leave scars. Can you imagine yourself being subjected to these assaults regularly, just because it is culturally permisable? Perhaps it is time to take accountability for one’s actions, and allow for social change to better our society.

Hiba Aswald

Barrington