CMU School of Drama


Thursday, October 19, 2017

L.A. Stories: Weinstein’s demise will not change Hollywood’s culture

Salon.com: When the subject is sexism and sexual harassment, everyone in Hollywood — even those considered to be Hollywood adjacent — has a story to tell. Here’s one that involves a familiar sitcom actor. Years ago, at the height of his popularity, this man felt so cocksure about his place in the industry ecosystem that in front of a group of journalists holding recording devices he made lurid, sexually suggestive comments to a female reporter. When said reporter recounted her harassment to a female writer on his series, the woman refused to believe her.

1 comment:

Rachel said...


The cynicism of this article is a little hard to swallow, but I can’t help feeling there’s some truth in this author’s evaluation of the situation. Maybe this will shift the trajectory of sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood and maybe even there workplace a tiny bit, but there’s still too much to overcome to consider this a watershed moment.

The men who have fallen have been serial abusers and what’s more, arrogant and careless. Think about all of the people that witnessed Weinstein’s abuse, both sexual, and according to his employees verbal and psychological, and then think about how long it still took to bring him down. Think about how many women have had to come forward in his case… have had to come forward in other high profile cases for the general public to believe there’s a problem. Two women come forward – eh, who knows who’s telling the truth. Ten women come forward, maybe there’s a problem. Now, what do we think will happen to the powerful man who is careful? Or is more particular? Who doesn’t pursue celebrities who have cache and a platform? When one or two women isn’t proof enough?