The woman who was photographed on VE Day in 1945 being kissed by a sailor recently died. In the obituary it was said that she and the sailor were strangers and he just grabbed her and gave her that famous bent over kiss that has become an iconic photograph and a statue that can be seen at the San Diego waterfront.
In today’s world, the sailor’s actions would be a sexual assault.
Just the thought I had while reading the obit.
She wasn’t too happy about it at the time. She was 21, looking for news about the war since she didn’t know where her parents were, and she got grabbed by a man who was so drunk he later didn’t remember it had even happened. Like many assault victims, she never told anyone about it.
http://nypost.com/2012/06/17/the-true-story-behind-the-iconic-v-j-day-sailor-and-nurse-smooch/
Yeah, it was a sexual assault then, too–just not recognized as such.
Thankfully, we’ve progressed (somewhat, in some places) since 1945.
How did I go my whole life without knowing this backstory…Darn…yet another moment redefined.
Wow … Never knew that! Thanks for sharing!
Never mind the fact that we had just won one of the most brutal wars in human history. Nope, the sailor who had put his life on the line committed sexual harassment…
Not condoning what he did here, but you would think people would let this one go given the circumstances at that time.
Gosh, I think I remember some of the classic movies having this type of behavior in it and it was portrayed as harmless.
Its a bit like animation in the past. So much racism but it was very acceptable at the time. Now there would be a public uproar.
??? Why would that matter?
Re #6
Contributing to the defeat of noxious enemies does not exempt one from criticism.
The USSR contributed greatly to the defeat of Nazi Germany. But most would not exempt it from criticism for its own actions (whether or not related to the war).
Well, there was joy and overwhelming relief and happiness that we CANNOT imagine at the time. Who knows who else was kissed and hugged that very same day.
^^^^^Right–don’t all returning servicemen get one free sexual assault? /sarcasm.
Surely doesn’t matter how SHE felt about it.
Nope rape culture doesn’t exist. 8-|
I don’t care how happy someone is. If anyone did that to me, he’d be missing some teeth afterwards.
Have you actually read an account of what the soldiers went through? If not, I recommend With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge. After you read that, I wonder if you would still ask your question.
Of course I would. What the heck? Doing something some people think is good excuses any and all behavior?
Have you actually read a book like that?
Memoirs tend to bore me. Fiction’s where it’s at.
So, you are just judgmental without understanding the context of the situation.
Yeah…no…you can be critical of wrongdoing without having lived that person’s life. Especially when that thing is sexual harassment.
Perhaps one day you will come to realize that context matters.
I have a daughter. If someone she doesn’t know comes up to her now and kisses her, it would be assualt, and she should get the authorities involved. But if she were in a situation like the photograph and it was just a kiss,I would recommend she brush it off.