The seriousness of the harassment allegations against Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., should prompt the people who put him into power to reconsider his leadership. Instead, black activists and civil rights leaders circled the wagons and held a rally for him on Monday. Clearly, it wasn’t enough, as Conyers decided to resign on Tuesday.

But still, what message does the rally send to women about another man in power who (allegedly) preys on them? It tells them that legacy is greater than ethics.