What should we make of the Me Too accusations coming from Hollywood and the seemingly endless stream of victims of sexual misconduct? My response is that I am both bewildered and appalled by the incredible incredulity and complacency these victims exhibited for years while they enjoyed wealth and fame. This all changed only when society evolved into a more feminist-minded community. How can regular people, like you and me, take many of these complaints seriously?
Since when do we look to Hollywood for morality? It’s no surprise that this sexual conundrum has made its way into the realm of movie stardom. I find the benevolence displayed by many in the industry to be insincere, exploitative, and downright insulting to those individuals who have genuinely suffered from real and violent sexual assault. I hardly see Alyssa Milano as a suitable role model for women facing sexual oppression. This is a woman who used her sexuality in the nineties to revive a struggling career. How can someone who has capitalized on sexual allure in films to the extent of having to include a sex clause in her contracts then resurface decades later as a social justice warrior fighting for women’s rights against sexual assault? This seems hypocritical to most reasonable people.
I am not saying that porn stars cannot be raped; prostitutes experience rape all the time. My point is that porn stars, prostitutes, and movie stars who engage in and promote sexual licentiousness should not be the ones advocating against sexual misconduct. Much of the Me Too movement emerging from Hollywood seems to be another example of stardom gone awry, overshadowing the real issues underlying sexual assault.
Do not get me wrong; I am not suggesting that victims of sexual assault are to blame for their victimization, nor am I defending sexual predatory behavior. Sexual predators are despicable individuals who exploit sex as a commodity. However, the question remains: when does someone transition from being a willing participant to a victim? One cannot repeatedly engage in sexual acts, such as giving blow jobs to high-ranking bosses year after year, while accepting accolades and rewards that come from these interactions, only to later declare, “I’m tired of this; enough is enough… RAPE!”
Where is the credibility of some of these victims? I have known many people who have genuinely been victims of sexual assault. Such experiences can be traumatizing, life-altering, and potentially life-scarring. Now let me ask: how life-changing or scarring is it to engage in a sexual act with Harvey Weinstein, remain silent, and then cash his paychecks? Was it when she walked the red carpet with him months later at the premiere? Was it during the numerous press conferences and interviews where she had a platform to express her values? Perhaps it was at the wrap parties and cocktail events where she walked hand in hand with Harvey Weinstein while advocating for his leadership.
Where is the social justice in all of this? Where is the presumption of innocence? I am not excusing Harvey’s actions, but I believe that the push for social justice should not override our common sense or dilute our understanding of right and wrong. Could this situation simply be a case of wrong versus wrong?
I can confidently say that pursuing someone, regardless of whether they are a man or woman, who does not want that attention is wrong. However, if you allow or endorse any aspect of that behavior, isn’t that also wrong? That also wrong?
You cannot justify sexual assault, but it is possible to impose a statute of limitations and consider degrees of complicity. Additionally, why do we classify all forms of sexual misconduct under the same umbrella of #MeToo? Where does flirting end and sexual assault begin? Is Kevin Spacey’s sexual assault equivalent to that of Louis C.K.? Why are we grouping all these cases together?
Where is the evidence of rape culture in our society? If we are establishing a foundation for a culture of male sexual assault, Hollywood is the last place I would choose to start. Movie stars treat the world as their own personal playground, so it’s no surprise that sexual misconduct is part of their ethos. Most regular men and women believe it has always been this way; just look at all the sexual themes ingrained in the shows and movies of our time.
You can’t deal drugs for decades and then complain about the drug problem. Hollywood has been the epicenter of sexual misconduct and deviance for over fifty years. Many films featuring victims of the Me Too movement have been so sexually explicit that regular audiences couldn’t, and didn’t, watch them. It’s ignorant to promote a culture of sexual ubiquity and then act shocked and dismayed when it comes back to haunt you. It’s like joining the mafia and being upset when you find a horse’s head in your bed. Just like the rest of the world, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Hollywood hands out sexual advances like a Pez dispenser but gets angry when they find cavities.
In addition, who’s to say that some of the sexual assailants aren’t victims themselves? If someone has worked behind closed doors for decades in a system that not only endorses sexual promiscuity but also protects it, how can that mindset not invade their psyche? When the lines are blurred, the entire group may cross them. Being entrenched in sexual deviance is a condition in itself, yet we are dismissing many of these talented actors as if they were mere street corner perverts in raincoats. The Academy had no problem awarding Kevin Spacey an Oscar when many people were aware of his behavior, but the moment someone spoke out, Netflix dropped his highly successful show within days. How hypocritical can you be?
It seems that many of the victims in this situation did not mind these quid-pro-quo exchanges as long as they contributed to their success. This includes those who turned a blind eye to the issues. Yes, I am addressing Meryl Streep and others like her. If you were aware of the rampant misconduct within the industry you were so eager to be a part of and chose to ignore it, you share in the guilt. Witnessing sexual misconduct and doing nothing to stop it is a valid basis for accountability, or does that principle only apply to Penn State?
Once again, movie stars are getting away with whatever they want, while the rest of us are left to speculate. Those who have come forward with allegations are flooding social media without consequences, and the hunt for a culture of male sexual misconduct is well underway. Look at how stars like Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon are scrambling to protect themselves. Few have the courage to speak out against the blatant hypocrisy exhibited by many (though not all) of these alleged victims. It’s important to remember that in the American justice system, you are innocent until proven guilty—just ask Aziz Ansari.
At R-Rated Religion, we are committed to helping society understand the truths and realities of modern life. We recognize that the Me MeToo movement is largely valuable and deserving of investigation. We commend those women and men who have bravely stepped forward to expose criminal behavior. However, we also critique individuals who exploit this movement to promote a male-centric narrative, seek personal gain, or falsely implicate others while evading accountability. Hollywood must be held to higher standards; sexual bias should not protect anyone from scrutiny or accusations. Every day, victims of sexual assault and misconduct face these harsh realities regularly. Why should celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow or Uma Thurman be treated any differently?
R-Rated Religion 