Hollywood, Here’s Why We’re Angry With You!
Rape. Sexual harassment allegations. It’s all mounting up for Harvey Weinstein. As a woman, I’m pissed. As a human being, I’m pissed.
I’m also pissed because there is also a growing list of celebrities who are NOW speaking out. Jane Fonda found out about Weinstein last year. She’s now embarrassed that she didn’t speak out. I’m also conflicted.
Anyone who watched Ashley Judd’s fiery speech at the Woman’s march calling out the POTUS for his pussy-grabbing ways has now realized that she was one of the women that Weinstein assaulted. Why is it so easy to speak out against Donald Trump when people in your own backyard are doing the same thing?
It’s because these so-called moguls are too powerful. They obviously have their grip, no pun intended, on the entire industry.
Am I blaming the victim? I surely hope not. I think back to my internship in the mid 80’s at the Rape Crisis Center and I know that with almost every speech I’d give about rape that someone in the audience was going to put the blame on the women. I don’t want to do that and that is not my intent. I feel for these victims. I hurt for these victims.
But, I am so damned mad that this type of behavior has continued and we have not been able to name names.
Men, you knew about Weinstein, too! You haven’t helped.
Brad Pitt confronted Weinstein after his then-girlfriend, Gwyneth Paltrow, told him about Weinstein’s advances.
What about Matt Damon and Russel Crowe who allegedly helped to cover us his dirty deeds? Were they also afraid of their careers or in agreement with this horrible behavior? We must not allow one person to be so powerful to control our destiny.
It’s not just the cover-up that makes us angry. We’re angry because you call out others but keep your Hollywood secrets. Anytime you watch Hollywood award speeches, they’re littered with political and societal rants. We hear attack after attack when it comes to the pussy-grabber in chief. Opinions and assaults flow freely when it doesn’t threaten your own industry.
Let me say that again: Opinions and assaults flow freely when it doesn’t threaten your own industry.
We should never tolerate this type of behavior no matter what side of the fence or industry you reside.
Celebrities have been blessed and they can use their voice for good and to create change – pay inequality or the casting couch syndrome, we’ve all heard about it for years. This is not new! Why are you just now banding together? Hollywood’s history is dark. I fully believe that most of you knew about Weinstein’s action but you kept quiet and how many people have been assaulted because you didn’t take a united stand?
Besides Harvey Weinstein, you have:
Casey Affleck
In 2010, two women who had worked on Affleck’s experimental film I’m Still Here filed sexual harassment suits against him. One of the women claimed that Affleck crawled into bed with her without her consent while she was asleep. He allegedly pressured the other woman to stay in his hotel room and “violently grabbed [her] arm in an effort to intimidate her into staying” when she refused, according to the complaint. Gorka v. Affleck (2010)
James Woods
“At one point you suggested we should all go to Las Vegas together. ‘It’s such a great place, have you ever been?’ You tried to make it sound innocent. This is something predatory men like to do, I’ve noticed. Make it sound innocent. Just a dollop of insinuation. Just a hair of persuasion. Just a pinch of suggestion. ‘It will be so much fun, I promise you. Nothing has to happen, we will just have a good time together.’ I told you my age, kindly and with no judgment or aggression. I told you my age because I thought you would be immediately horrified and take back your offer. You laughed and said, ‘Even better. We’ll have so much fun, I promise.’” —An Open Letter from Amber Tamblyn
Woody Allen
“When I was seven years old, Woody Allen took me by the hand and led me into a dim, closet-like attic on the second floor of our house. He told me to lay on my stomach and play with my brother’s electric train set. Then he sexually assaulted me. He talked to me while he did it, whispering that I was a good girl, that this was our secret, promising that we’d go to Paris and I’d be a star in his movies.” —An Open Letter from Dylan Farrow
Bernardo Bertolucci and Marlon Brando
“The sequence of the butter is an idea that I had with Marlon in the morning before shooting it. But in a way, I’ve been horrible to Maria because I didn’t tell her what was going on. Because I wanted her reaction as a girl, not as an actress. I wanted her to react when she felt humiliated. And I think that she hated me and also Marlon because we didn’t tell her.” – Bernardo Bertolucci
Marlon Brando assaulted an actress while filming just so the director see the raw reaction. Unbelievable!
Bill Cosby
Story after story with the same theme. Give them a pill and assault them. -‘I’m No Longer Afraid’: 35 Women Tell Their Stories About Being Assaulted by Bill Cosby, and the Culture That Wouldn’t Listen
Roman Polanski
Hollywood director Roman Polanski is a child rapist. He was arrested and charged with five counts of rape and assault against a 13-year-old child. When he realized he would likely go to prison, Polanski fled the U.S. and held up in France. And, Hollywood, you gave him a standing ovation!—The People of the State of California v. Polanski (1977)
Ben Affleck
There was an incident involving Hilarie Burton where Affleck grabbed her breast. Affleck responded this week and said, “I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize.”
You think, Ben? Are you telling me that women don’t like having their breast grabbed inappropriately? News flash: We don’t. It’s not your body. Don’t touch it unless we tell you it’s okay.
Corey Feldman
What about the alleged child sexual abuse that Corey Feldman says that he suffered from his friend Corey Haim? Did we look the other way?
We also have media working against the truth as well. In mid-August, Ronan Farrow, an News contributor, had secured an interview with a woman who was willing to appear on camera, in silhouette, her identity concealed, to say that Harvey Weinstein had raped her. NBC didn’t want to move forward with the story. He had been told by executives at NBC News that he didn’t have enough information to go on air with his Weinstein story. Shameful. There’s more at work there. We’re not that dumb.
And that’s just what we know about. This abuse and abuse of power runs deep. You need to take a long and deep look and ask how you will change your industry. Change will come from within.
Will you finally stop allowing powerful people to get away with harassment, sexual abuse, and even rape? Because if not, I don’t want to hear more political speeches from you because you think you have it right. Clean up your own industry and then maybe you’ll have some clout.
Start naming names and kicking ass. People have been victimized long enough. You have the ability to create change and stand up to the bullies, abusers, and rapists. We all need to do the same thing across industries. With greater awareness about sexual harassment, more women may have the courage to speak out.
We need to stop this. It’s not okay.