Skip to main content

Guys, we need to talk

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.

Image result for weinstein
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.

Image result for frodo ring
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.

Image result for jimmy savile
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.

Image result for boris johnson and theresa may
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.

Image result for down with the patriarchy
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!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Fateful Accusation

'Justice delayed is justice denied'- William E. Gladstone I am not a religious man, yet I am certainly not a militant atheist like Richard 'If you like God, you're stupid' Dawkins. Belief/faith in some sort of deity is comforting for some, and there are a large number of people who believe in the concept of 'divine intervention'. This can be defined as a deity, whether through the power of prayer or perhaps it being a slow day in the afterlife, takes the conscious decision to intervene in our mortal realm and influence a certain chain of events. Miracles are often categorised as the result of divine intervention, and on an overcast 29 March, on the steps outside of St Paul's Cathedral in London, a deity may have given me a helping hand. It certainly isn't on the scale of Jesus walking on water or God sending the Ten Plagues onto Egypt, but in that very moment of time it felt as if 'divine intervention' had just occurred. My mother felt ch...
2 comments
Read more

The 100th Post: The End of 'Absolute Shambles'

'So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye'- 'So Long, Farewell' from The Sound of Music , 1965 Post Number 100. The bunting has been hoisted out of the cupboard and is now strung up in all its glory. Caterers are hurriedly preparing a lavish spread for the exclusive event that surrounds such a historic moment, which will be attended by the biggest celebrities on the planet. People such as Barack Obama, Sir Patrick Stewart and LeBron James are waiting for the gold envelope to slide through the letterbox and invite them to the prestigious gathering. Celine Dion is warming up her vocal cords to sing a duet with Ed Sheeran, who will perform a special song written by Pharrell Williams. Dwayne Johnson and Channing Tatum will be running security for the night, hoping to keep out any party crashers who want to catch a glimpse of this humble blogger and his famous entourage. Seriously, this makes the Oscars look like a primary school disco. Master of Ceremonies Sadly, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

'Wolfenstein: The New Colossus'- one of the craziest games I've ever played

As I continue my temporary imprisonment in my home, it was time to do some tactical purchases. Thankfully, Christmas is fast approaching so we are now entering a period of big title releases as companies rub their hands in delight over the thought of some big profits. Not going to deny it, it's a wonderful time to be alive. Bethesda  decided it was time to jump back on the Wolfenstein  train and release another installment of their long running series with The New Colossus . Screams of delight pierced the air as I saw the announcement, release trailer and finally game play footage. Look, I'm a very lonely guy; there's not much else to be excited about really. A personal hero If you're unfamiliar with the series, here's a quick run down. It's the 1960s and the Nazis won the Second World War. Things suck, so William 'B.J.' Blazkowicz (emerging from a 14 year coma) continues his Nazi killing ways and does it in a brutal and efficient way. The New Co...
Post a Comment
Read more