https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/09/business/media/before-firing-harvey-weinstein-asked-film-insiders-to-defend-him.html
In the wake of recent accusations of sexual assault leveled at media giant Harvey Weinstein, reports have come out that he pleaded for studio execs and directors to defend him. Though no one came to his aid, he seemed sure of one thing, "If the industry supports me, that is all I need".
Weinstein's case is one in a series of high profile sexual assault cases, and it is extremely troubling that he, one, thought he would get support from his industry, and, two, thought that support would negate his alleged crimes. Most troubling of all, however, is that he may have been partly correct. Though he was fired by his company, many celebrities have remained conspicuously silent about the Winestien case, even those who spoke out so passionately against the Access Hollywood tape earlier this year.
This phenomenon, of men in positions of power taking advantage of women, is not a new one. Without being too on the nose, one could find a parallel in 3rd U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. It has been confirmed by genetic studies that Jefferson had sex with a woman that he owned, one of his slaves, Sally Hemmings. I can not think of a more egregious example of abuse of power than forcing a woman that you own, that you, legally, can whip and starve at your choosing, and that literally can not say no, to have sex with you. In truth, despite what fantastic documents, films, or tv shows you create, what matters most is how you treat other people, even when you don't face consequences.
I agree that it is appalling that he thought that people would come to his aid and he would get off the hook. However at the same time the incident is not shocking. Too many times has it been the case that no matter what men in power say and do, they can get away with it i.e. the current president. I wish that more could happen to stop this but so far it seems like no one wants to acknowledge the truth.
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