Oh, you thought things couldn’t get worse? I’m sorry – have you not met 2017? As more women come forward about Harvey Weinstein, so do countless others sharing their stories of harassment and abuse by powerful – and sometimes not so powerful – men.
Whether through #metoo or new accusations and firings, it seems the floodgates have opened on outing shitty men. I suppose that’s a good thing – let’s let the truth come out, as horrible as it may be. But for a lot of women, the constant recounting of just how bad it is and can be means reliving a lot of our own worst memories.
Even worse, while explicit victim-blaming seems to be a little less en vogue these days, we’re still hearing questions again and again about why women didn’t come forward. Perhaps because nothing is done when we do. Perhaps because the majority of women who do report harassment are retaliated against in some way. Perhaps it’s simply none of our goddamn business.
I hope in the weeks ahead, as more of these stories come out, we can learn to listen instead of interrogate. Because women have been through more than enough.
Glass Half Full
Let’s take some inspiration this week from queen of all queens Carrie Fisher, who had a very special gift for a man who sexually assaulted her friend …
What I’m RTing
Is this the Twilight Zone? Decline of respect for Gold Star families, women, etc is directly related to YOUR BOSS! pic.twitter.com/sINo4eIybT
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 19, 2017
This young woman obtained judicial permission for an abortion almost a month ago. Why is Trump admin encouraging later abortions? pic.twitter.com/2TD70l4Cp3
— Irin Carmon (@irin) October 19, 2017
The president is addressing the Values Voter Summit today. Here's what they're giving guests in a swag bag: "The Hazards of Homosexuality" pic.twitter.com/eRufvSncc0
— David Mack (@davidmackau) October 13, 2017
"The reality is that abortion is very safe — about 12-13 times safer than continuing the pregnancy to term.” https://t.co/6VSrnkWmbw pic.twitter.com/suE6RLj04q
— Dr. Daniel Grossman (@DrDGrossman) October 17, 2017
We don't appreciate Nick Offerman nearly as much as we should. pic.twitter.com/gHQV4K4DUW
— The Babahuck (@TylerHuckabee) October 16, 2017
Who I’m reading
Dave Zirin, in an interview with Gregg Popovich who calls Trump a “soulless coward”; Alana Massey on the ways women try to protect themselves from abusers; Lupita Nyong’o and her harrowing and brave story of Harvey Weinstein.
What I’m writing
On #metoo – instead of listing the victims, why don’t we start naming the perpetrators?
How outraged I am
A leaked White House memo shows that the Trump administration wants to discourage teenagers from using birth control, so their plan is to teach them the rhythm method. Ten out of possible 10 on the rage scale for the sheer anti-science stupidity of it.
How I’m making it through this week
Pictures of my dog when he was a wee pupper. If you’re nice, next week I’ll show you what he looks like now!
