10 Thoughts On The “Off-ness” Of Tavis Smiley’s “Good Morning America” Interview

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Do you understand how that can be viewed as an abuse of power?

“There are some people who believe there are no such things as a consensual relationship in the workplace. I own my company. PBS distributes my content. In our employee handbook, while we do not encourage office relationships, we don’t forbid them either because I don’t know where your heart’s going to lead you…And indeed, there are millions of Americans watching this program right now who met their spouses at work. ”

There’s an old adage that applies to this situation. And while it’s a rule that folks frequently break, it exists for a reason. “Don’t sh*t where you eat.”

But his point about folk meeting their spouses at work is true. You’re currently reading the words of a woman who is the offspring of two people who met at work. Thing is, my father wasn’t my mother’s boss when he approached her. He didn’t have the capacity to fire her. And he didn’t own the company where they were both employed. I’m not one of those people who believe work relationships shouldn’t exist. But if Tavis wants to speak about nuance, power dynamics have to be a real part of the conversation.

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