“Guard against hysteria” – West Sussex Gazette – Letters – Richard W. Symonds – The Bell Society
Dear Editor
I have now become deeply uncomfortable when the word “allegations” is read – especially in relation to “inappropriate behaviour” of a sexual nature (“Weinstein allegations look like start of a shift in the way we treat others forever”, WSG, Nov 1).
It’s not just Chomsky’s warning which brings discomfort when front page news is dominated by allegations about people’s sex lives: “Reach for your pocket and see whose pulling out your wallet”.
It’s the frenzied hysteria – a kind of ‘paedomania’ – which can grip the public’s imagination. Allegations can get out of control – a ‘storm’ is created in which injustices emerge and lives and reputations of innocent people are destroyed.
We need to be so careful when ‘pointing fingers’ at the alleged guilty. Three are pointing back.
Yours sincerely
Richard W. Symonds
The Bell Society
The Bell Society 