Failures of the Metoo and TimesUp movements: Time is up Hollywood, what are you going to do?
In the wake of President Trump’s inauguration was the 2017 March for Women, which became far more political than focused on women’s health or women’s issues. Then in 2017, the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal birthed the MeToo movement, which now has evolved into the TimesUp movement and the new March for Women.
High-profile Hollywood celebrities, Natalie Portman and Olivia Munn for example, are taking to the stage for women, but still conflating words, avoiding clear directives and definitions as well as staying clear of naming names.
“You told the world that time’s up on violence,” Portman said to the Los Angeles crowd as she then recounted a disgusting fan letter to her when she completed The Professional as a teen girl, calling it a “rape fantasy” about her. “Movie reviewers talked about my budding breasts in reviews. I understood very quickly, even as a 13-year-old, that if I were to express myself sexually I would feel unsafe and that men would feel entitled to discuss and objectify my body to my great discomfort.”
Great words, but where has she been this whole time.
Portman, now 36, has added Black Swan, V For Vendetta, Thor films and the Star Wars prequels to her resume, so why wait until now to be an activist, speak out against horrible behavior.
Munn, one of the women who claimed director Brett Ratner sexually harassed her, even making “sexually aggressive comments to her in public” and exposing himself, published a book, “Suck It, Wonder Woman!: The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek” — a collection of stories whose theme was “that there are crappy people you meet in life, but try your best and don’t let that knock you down.”
Now Munn called out misogyny that begins early in life, highlighting “Audrie and Daisy,” the 2016 documentary about two teenage victims of abuse and bullying. The film focuses on drinking, pressure from porn-addled boys and social media popularity.
Olivia Munn as Psylocke
Munn didn’t have a problem portraying Psylocke in X-Men Apocalypse in a rather revealing costume. Was that not fueling the same perverted little boys that Audrie and Daisy are warning us about?
These are the very fabric of most Hollywood films.
Weinstein’s legacy included the raunchy Kevin Smith films, ripe with sexism and misogyny with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon daring to plead ignorance of Harvey’s shenanigans. In fact, Ashley Judd, who touted herself as a great voice against Trump’s sexism a year ago, has remained silent for years after Harvey advanced on her.
Rape is a crime. Society and culture has vehemently acted to support victims over the last several years. For example, Bill Cosby, the face of 1980’s family values, was rumored to have drugged and taken advantage of women. The reaction from America: we want the facts and if the facts are true, he’s a monster.
So, now it’s a TimesUp movement where the Hollywood elites can wear black to a formal event and “brave” about their stance against faceless predator and sexist pigs.
Liam Neeson called this a “witch hunt,” Bill Maher labeled this “McCarthyism” and without names, dates, facts and the police – that is what this has/will become.
The rest of society is against rape, sexual misconduct and harassment, so it’s nice to see Hollywood attempt to move forward. Of course, if all of their work still treats sex as a transaction, a one-night stand, without responsibility, then all of their movements, protests and rallies are truly hollow and empty.
Women need to be treated with dignity and respect, treasured by their fathers and their spouse. Hollywood can expunge the raunch from within, but it has to start with serious self-reflection, give facts, call out names and contact the authorities.
No one wants to hear about the tragedies at the Golden Globes’ after-parties years from now. The time to act IS NOW. TIMES UP….yes, Hollywood, so what are you going to ACTUALLY do.
“Munn didn’t have a problem portraying Psylocke in X-Men Apocalypse in a rather revealing costume.”
This is the dumbest thing I’ve read. 1) It’s a character 2) Judging a woman based on how revealing her clothes are is basically what every feminist is against. Women should not be slutshamed. If they want to wear revealing clothes, that’s their prerogative.
I’m not judging her based on her clothes, but by the high road she now wants to take while discussing sexism and lustful men (as portrayed in the documentary she noted) and yet keeping a respectful reputation for women. If women are being portrayed as objects, and Psylocke is one example, then that is how people will see them. I’m not saying we need a prudish society, but actions have consequences and the Hollywood culture is one that exploits women, teaches girl that sex is a transaction, using nudity to sell their products and allowing a graphic culture of sex to be infused into the minds of millions.
Munn, like these other ladies, can’t be taken seriously if she will continue to fuel the debauchery. You cannot have it both ways. Half-naked ladies, with their cleavage showing can’t go into their office and then complain that their male co-workers was looking at her breasts.
Maybe my example is flawed…fair enough, but the point is hypocrisy. If it’s truly TIMESUP, then let’s stand together. Give names, dates and details, so the authorities can gather facts and prosecute as needed. My family has dealt with sexual abuse, rape and molestation, it’s been devastating, but the first step is DEALING with the facts. I don’t want some activist telling my daughter how men should look at her or treat her if they are simultaneously promoting and engaging TRASH for entertainment.
Thanks for your response