WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2017
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A9
COMMENTARY
Speaking out ... it’s #NotOkay
CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
agement at J.C. Penney
in Coos Bay. I worked in
multiple departments, in-
I started writing this cluding the automotive/
column last fall after the sporting center annex.
#NotOkay posts went viral
I was working at the
on social media.
sporting center when
However, I nev-
one of the automotive
er finished it. After
center
employees,
seeing the recent
who was about my
#MeToo posts, I de-
same age, came over
cided to pick up my
and was talking to me.
pen again.
As he walked away,
Both
simple
he grabbed my butt.
statements,
they Tammy
Shortly afterward, I
Malgesini
highlight
issues INSIDE MY
headed up to the main
surrounding sexual SHOES
store to talk to Bill,
assault and sexual
the store manager. As
harassment. Mostly wom- I shared about the encoun-
en have shared about their ter, I told him I wasn’t even
personal experiences as a dressed provocatively.
That’s the thing with
way to show how prevalent
the issues are and to em- inappropriate encounters,
power themselves.
sometimes people want to
I’ve read recent reports blame the victim for what
that indicate one in three happened. However, Bill
women have experienced immediately said it didn’t
sexual harassment at work. matter what I was wearing,
And, CBS news recently it wasn’t appropriate for
reported that an American the employee.
And that wasn’t the first
is sexually assaulted every
time I recall being faced
98 seconds.
I don’t think much with an inappropriate en-
about my personal experi- counter.
That happened when
ences regarding sexual ha-
rassment. Even as a young I was in junior high. We
girl I had a strong sense of were living in Phoenix,
self and felt comfortable in Oregon, and I was up the
speaking up. I knew what street visiting a friend.
My friend’s step-dad
was happening was wrong
and immediately took ac- had just had knee surgery
tion. Fortunately, the peo- and was sitting on the
ple I talked to listened couch with his leg stretched
— and responded appro- on a footstool. My friend
had gone into the kitchen
priately.
When I was in college to help her mom with din-
I did a paid summer in- ner when her step-dad ex-
ternship in personnel man- posed himself to me. My
By TAMMY MALGESINI
COMMUNITY EDITOR
“WHAT’S IN A LABEL: THINKING
ABOUT DIVERSITY AND RACIAL
CATEGORIES”, 1 p.m., Oregon
Higher Education Center, 975 S.E.
Columbia Drive, Hermiston. Ann
Su will conduct the conversation
asking questions related to
stereotypes, race as a form of
labeling, and using language
to increase understanding and
connection. Free.
KIDS CLUB, 6:30-8 p.m., Hermiston
Christian Center, 1825 W.
Highland Ave., Hermiston.
For ages 5-12. Includes open
gym, games, prizes, snacks
music, puppets and more.
Transportation available.
(Joanna Hayden 541-561-5573)
TOUR OF KNOWLEDGE, 7-8 p.m.,
Eastern Oregon Higher Education
Center, 980 S.E. Columbia Drive,
Hermiston. Discussion of public
hearings, meetings and events
relevant to the area, and reports
on sites and facilities that impact
natural resources and places
of historical interest. Free and
everyone welcome. (Eileen
Laramore 541-303-3872)
OREGON TRAIL LIBRARY
DISTRICT 25TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION AND BOOK
SIGNING EVENT, 7 p.m.,
SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road,
Boardman. Celebrate the library
district’s 25th year and get
signed copies of local authors’
books. Free. (Stefanie Swindler
541-481-7243)
AN EVENING WITH RINKER BUCK,
7 p.m., SAGE Center, 101 Olson
Road, Boardman. Buck will
discuss and sign copies of his
memoir “The Oregon Trail: A New
American Journey,” a recreation
of a 2,000-mile covered wagon
trip on the Oregon Trail in 2011.
Copies of the book will be
available for purchase. (Kathy
Street 541-481-3365)
response was to give him a
swift kick in the knee.
I recently had ar-
throscopic knee surgery
and can’t even imagine
the excruciating pain that
would cause. It’s bad
enough when one of our
German shepherds acci-
dentally bumps my foot or
leg.
I understand sometimes
people don’t always feel
comfortable in talking
about inappropriate situa-
tions. While it wasn’t re-
lated to sexual harassment,
shortly after graduating
from college I worked for
an employer who had some
questionable policies. I
questioned a particular
practice. However, it didn’t
change.
I needed the job at the
time, so I continued work-
ing there but didn’t fol-
low the policy. While that
wasn’t the best way to deal
with the situation, I did re-
port it later.
As unfortunate as it is,
sometimes we overlook
things or remain silent
due to the potential con-
sequences. It is my hope
that as more people speak
out it will effect change —
whether in Hollywood, our
statehouses or hometowns.
———
Tammy Malgesini is
the community editor. Her
column, Inside my Shoes,
includes general musings
about life. Contact her at
tmalgesini@eastorego-
nian.com or 541-564-4539.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2
BOARDMAN SENIOR MEAL SERVICE,
12 p.m., Boardman Senior Center,
100 Tatone St., Boardman. Cost is
$4 for seniors 55 and over or $5
for adults. (541-481-3257)
HERMISTON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE,
12 p.m., Our Lady of Angels
Catholic Church parish hall, 565
W. Hermiston Ave., Hermiston.
Cost is $4 for adults, free for
children 10 and under, $4 for
Meals on Wheels. Extra 50 cents
for utensils/dishes. Bus service
to parish hall by donation. (541-
567-3582)
SENSORY STORY TIME, 12:30 p.m.,
Boardman Public Library, 200 S.
Main St., Boardman. For children
from birth to age 4. (541-481-
2665)
YARN CLUB, 5:30 p.m., Hermiston
Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave.,
Hermiston. (541-567-2882)
THE ARC UMATILLA COUNTY BINGO,
6-10 p.m., The Arc Building, 215
W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston.
Doors open at 6 p.m., seats may
be held until 6:30 p.m., then all
seats first come, first served;
games begin at 7 p.m. Proceeds
benefit Umatilla County citizens
with developmental disabilities.
18 years or older, must have
proof of age and photo I.D. Basic
pot $20, prizes range from $20-
$750. (541-567-7615)
FIDDLERS NIGHT, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,
Brookdale Assisted Living, 980
W. Highland Ave., Hermiston.
Enjoy light refreshments, listen
to some favorite oldies or join
in the jam session. All ages
welcome. (541-567-3141)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
FREE FRIDAY MEDICARE MADNESS,
9 a.m.-1 p.m., Good Shepherd
Medical Center, 610 N.W. 11th
St., Hermiston. Get answers
to Medicare questions and
assistance with prescription
plans and open enrollment.
Oct. 27 and Nov. 10 session in
conference rooms 5-6; all other
dates in conference room 7.
(541-667-3507)
STORY TIME, 10:15 a.m., Hermiston
Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave.,
Hermiston. (541-567-2882)
STORY AND CRAFT TIME, 2 p.m.,
Echo Public Library, 20 S.
Bonanza St., Echo. (541-376-8411)
VFW BINGO, 6 p.m., Hermiston
VFW, 45 W. Cherry St.,
Hermiston. Doors open at 6 p.m.,
games begin at 7 p.m. Everyone
welcome. (541-567-6219)
“GAME OF TIARAS”, 7 p.m.,
Hermiston High School fine
arts auditorium, 600 S. First St.,
Hermiston. A combination of
“Game of Thrones” with “King
Lear” will leave you in stitches.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8
for senior citizens and $5 for
students, available at the door or
in advance at the high school’s
bookkeeping office. May not
be appropriate for younger
children. (Beth Anderson 541-
667-6100)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4
BREAKFAST, MINI BAZAAR AND
QUILT SHOW, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.,
Stanfield Community Center,
225 W. Roosevelt,, Stanfield.
Breakfast including breakfast
tacos from 7-10 a.m., cost is $5 for
full breakfast/$3 for light meal.
Bazaar and quilt show from 7
a.m. to 3 p.m. (541-449-1332)
YARN CLUB, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.,
Hermiston Public Library, 235 E.
Gladys Ave., Hermiston. (541-
567-2882)
ECHO/STANFIELD FFA AUCTION
AND DINNER, 5-9 p.m., Stanfield
High School gym, 1120 N. Main
St., Stanfield. Doors and the
silent auction open at 5 p.m.,
program and dinner begin at
6 p.m., live auction begins at 7
p.m. Proceeds benefit Stanfield
and Echo FFA students. (Brooke
Vanderveen 541-376-8436)
NAVY BAND NORTHWEST IN
CONCERT, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,
SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road,
Boardman. Brass band will
perform a diverse repertoire
including jazz, New Orleans
standards, funk and an
assortment of popular cover
songs arranged for these
instruments. Free. (Stefanie
Swindler 541-481-7243)
MORE WINNERS. MORE OFTEN.
Hourly & Weekly
Drawings
4 GUARANTEED
WINNERS
Every Hour!
EARN
ENTRIES
NOW!
Thursday – Sunday
4pm – 9pm
Play for your share of
5,000!
$
Sunday, November 19
Doors Open: 11am • Warm-Ups: 2pm
Main Session: 2:30pm
Veterans Day
Saturday, November 11
TO SERVE THOSE
WHO HAVE
SERVED US
Veterans & Active Duty Military Eat FREE
Receive one complimentary
buffet or entrée. Military ID
or proof of service required.
®
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