A POLITE NOTICE: This issue means a lot to me, and I do apologise to anyone affected by this particular topic if I sound ignorant. Just a humble blogger having a ramble.
So it turns out that Harvey Weinstein, acclaimed film producer, has been sexually harassing women for many years now. Having produced films such as
Pulp Fiction and
The Crying Game (both great movies), Weinstein has used his power and influence to assault a number of women across his career. What an arsehole.
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| Dick |
These revelations, although shocking, are not new for the entertainment industry. Powerful figures have the potential to make or break someone's career, and unfortunately some use it to advance their sexual desires. Their victims are powerless to stop them, as they could end up out of work. It's all quite sickening
There have always been jokes about how actors and actresses had to go through a humiliating patch of taking up PA positions, or even doing some degrading adverts. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all. You can go through the depths of You Tube and there's a good chance you find some really cringey adverts. Leonardo 'Finally won an Oscar' DiCaprio starred in a
Bubble Yum advert, while Elijah Wood of
Lord of the Rings fame lent his adorable face to Cheddar Cheese.
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| This ring could use some cheese on it |
Now I could happily go off on a tangent and list off some other hilarious adverts of our favourite celebrities, but the issue mentioned earlier one is too serious to ignore. Indeed, it is extremely relevant in modern day society, especially after the revelations of Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris and Stuart Hall (he presented
It's A Knockout, just so you know). They are prominent examples of abusing their power and neglecting their duty of care.
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| The perfect example of a misuse of power |
Sadly, this issue isn't restricted to the world behind the silver screen. According to
Rape Crisis, around 85,000 women and 12,000 men are raped in England and Wales every year. In a report from 2005,
Amnesty claim that a third of people believe that a woman flirting makes them partially responsible to being raped. That's quite a disgusting statement to make.
In my opinion, these unbelievable figures are done to some sort of underlying sexism in society. I'm not gonna claim to be some sort of closet feminist, but everyone has to admit that women are on the march. Hilary Clinton should have really become President, and Theresa May is still alive and kicking in Number 10. Even with power hungry compatriots surrounding her, Theresa has held her ground. I'm not a fan, but there's some sort of respect there.
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| Boris, patiently waiting to snatch power |
It's fair to say that there are men out there who see the position of the patriarchy under threat. Sexually assaulting women somehow gives them that rush not just to fulfill their animal instincts, but also to reclaim a perceived loss in status. For some reason, attacking a vulnerable woman walking alone at night is the perfect way to affirm masculinity. No, it most certainly is not.
This is an issue that really brings out my opinionated side. I get angry when I hear stories of yet another sexual assault carried out by some sad loner, as it has a ripple effect. Men would just be seen as deranged sexual addicts, determined to hold on to an illusion of power. Yes, men can be right arseholes, but thank God there are some of us out there willing to distance ourselves from the Harvey Weinsteins of this world.
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| I blame my housemates for my desire to destroy the patriarchy... |
Weinstein has had his life turned upside down ever since the allegations came to light. Part of me wants to feel sad for a man, with the eyes of the world upon him, fall from grace. But there is no excuse for what he did. No matter how powerful or influential you are, there is no way to defend crimes like this.
Ben G 😁 xo
P.S. I will once again apologise if I sound like a dick. I myself feel totally out of place talking about this issue, but it really makes me angry. I need a yoga session...
P.P.S. Another week has come and gone for Mr Goscomb, Cover Teacher extraordinaire. Now it's half term- lovely stuff!
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