Sailor kissing Nurse in Times Square
In Times Square on V-J Day, 1945, the photo above (left) was taken of a sailor kissing a Nurse. It seemed at the time to be a wonderful thing – a spontaneous show of affection and celebration by two lovers. It has become an American icon and even been made into a giant statue that is featured on Sarasota’s waterfront (right). But by today’s standards it was really a sexual assault.
Historians have finally identified the couple – Greta Zimmer Friedman, a dental nurse at the time, and George Mendonsa, a sailor, They were perfect strangers to each other. George was drunk and Greta has this to say:
“It wasn’t my choice to be kissed. The guy just came over and grabbed!”
“I did not see him approaching, and before I knew it, I was in this vice grip. [sic]“
“You don’t forget this guy grabbing you.”
“That man was very strong. I wasn’t kissing him. He was kissing me.”
Today, Greta would have complained and George charged with assault. Part of me says “Of course she should”; another part says “Pity”.
I’m not saying she should have called the police – but that today it probably would not have happened. If it did, many would have reacted differently than the people of 1945.
Hmm. Since we’re speculating here, it seems to me that within that context a woman might forgive the sailor’s exuberance, but if it was a normal day and not a parade to welcome veterans when a world war had just ended, she might take offense. I know I’d cut the guy a little slack under those circumstances, but that’s just me.