Mydriasis of Power: A Reflection on Harassment and Dignity

There are moments in life that strip away the illusion of fairness in the systems we live and work within. Moments when power, disguised as authority, oversteps its bounds, leaving us questioning not only the integrity of others but also our own capacity to respond.

The following poem was written some time ago, inspired by an incident—one where I felt the weight of power being misused against me. Although it was penned in a different context, its themes resonate deeply with a recent experience that brought those feelings back to the forefront of my mind. Writing it has always been a way for me to give voice to what words alone often fail to convey.   

Mydriasis

Blazing tirades are unleashed.
Utterances born of foolish aspirations.
Amateur mafiosi deserving of pity...
Unaware that death is a one-way street.
They have long since perished;
brain-dead beings, pupils in mydriasis.
Convinced they live and reign.

The mirror gazes, bewildered by the drifting cork-like lost bodies it reflects.
It remains silent, awaiting their inevitable disappearance.
Relief comes with the removal of the putrid image;
a longing for deconstructed norms.
Blazing tirades continue to be unleashed...
Mydriasis…

A Workplace Incident

Three days ago, during a casual conversation with a senior colleague—someone in a position of great authority—I found myself subjected to an unsettling experience. It started with a debate over hygiene practices in our department, and when my comments were difficult to refute, he resorted to an inappropriate gesture. Laughing, he touched my abdomen as if to "tickle" me, and when I stepped back to evade his hand, he slapped me on my lower back.

The incident was witnessed by a colleague who later asked me how I managed to keep calm. At that moment, I could only manage to joke, saying, “If we were in America, I’d have $200,000 now.” But as the hours passed, the weight of the experience began to settle in my mind.

At first, I felt confusion—was this just a misguided attempt at humor? Or was it a deliberate misuse of authority, designed to demean me because I had challenged him? The ambiguity of his actions left me oscillating between anger and doubt. Should I confront him? Should I speak up? Or should I let it go, knowing the power he holds and the possible consequences of any action I might take?

The truth is, I felt powerless and vulnerable. This wasn’t just about what happened—it was about everything it represented: the toxic dynamics of power, the fear of retaliation, and the exhausting reality of navigating a workplace where such behavior is not only possible but often goes unchallenged.

Was it sexual harassment? Perhaps not in intent. Was it a misuse of authority to diminish and control? Absolutely.

Navigating Toxicity

This incident is not an isolated story; it echoes a pattern that unfolds in many toxic workplaces. It is a stark reminder of how power, when unchecked, can corrode respect and undermine dignity. Such behaviors are not merely personal affronts—they are systemic failures that reflect an environment where the abuse of authority is tolerated or even normalized.

As I reflected on what had happened, I found myself grappling with profound inner conflict. Part of me wanted to speak out, to demand accountability and assert my dignity. Another part of me hesitated, weighed down by fear—fear of retaliation, fear of being dismissed or labeled, fear of losing the professional space I had worked so hard to navigate.

Power, in its healthiest form, should uplift, guide, and inspire. But in the hands of those who wield it irresponsibly, it becomes a tool of oppression. When someone uses their position to belittle or control others, they reveal more about their own insecurities and limitations than about the person they target.

This reflection is not just about what happened to me; it’s a meditation on the culture we perpetuate when we choose silence or complacency. Toxic environments thrive when individuals fear retaliation, when speaking up feels futile, or when those in power are protected by the very systems designed to hold them accountable.

The poem above is my way of processing these realities. It is a reminder that those who misuse power are, in many ways, already defeated by their own choices. Yet, acknowledging this truth doesn't erase the harm they inflict or the courage it requires to confront them. Their actions may reflect their inner void, but it is up to us to ensure that such voids do not consume the integrity of our workplaces.

A Call to Action

To anyone reading this: know that your experiences matter. Whether you choose to speak up or silently set your boundaries, your worth is not defined by someone else’s behavior. Harassment, in any form, is unacceptable. No title, no position, no authority is above that truth.

Together, let us refuse to normalize these behaviors. Let us demand accountability—not just for others but also for the systems that enable such actions. Let us stand for dignity—in our workplaces and within ourselves. And above all, let us remind one another that even in the face of injustice, our voices carry the power to inspire change.