mattiasNYC said:
So, more and more allegations are dished out at various people, and their employers are acting almost immediately. Kevin Spacey was accused and has been let go of future productions of his show, I think today there were two more people that were affected a similar way.
So what I'm wondering is if a mere accusation is sufficient to take this type of action, and if an admission of guilt instead would be.
And further more are they immoral for thinking that they can do anything just because they're a star, and they won't even wait for permission by the victims....
???
?
Kind of on the same theme the education department is withdrawing Obama era sexual assault guidelines, that created a guilty until proven innocent bias on college campuses. This will allow colleges to better balance the rights of the accused while cutting down on sexual misbehavior.
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Dumping Spacey was probably just business, and his apology was not very convincing (doesn't remember but apologize anyhow, doesn't sound like even he thinks he is innocent). He may have more embarrassing skeletons in his closet. Not unlike Colin Kaepernick whose football skills almost don't matter at this point (maybe if he was a really good player, owners would tolerate more mischief) but he has become an icon for disrespecting national institutions and that bad messaging will cost the owners viewership and money.
I think it is about time for Weinstein to face his accusers (and accusers face him when their fear of retribution is reduced by their strength in numbers.) This seems a little like the Cosby case with more victims coming out of the woodwork as they get public support. Unfortunately there are often statute of limitations (time limits) so many old cases have become moot.
Lest anyone think these are isolated cases, the term "casting couch" originated with the rise of the motion picture industry over a century ago. Hopefully these recent events will cause a groundswell of moral indignation and many of the worst actors (producers , directors) will retire or be drummed out of the industry.
This is not isolated to the movie industry but was tolerated there for much too long. Numerous high level business executives have been terminated because of inappropriate sexual behavior toward subordinates. This is ultimately a sex and power thing, not simple rational behavior.
It is part of our human programming for men to want to plant their DNA anywhere it can grow... and for women to be attracted to powerful men that can protect their offspring and them. This all operates on a subliminal level and we are socialized to suppress the bad behavior that occurs when these tendencies are not inhibited.
Rich and powerful people think they are smarter, and handsomer than they are. It is too easy to get accustomed to always getting your way.
This is one of the few recent cultural shifts that appears to be for the better (IMO).... Positive changes for women are happening all around the world, women will be able to drive cars in Saudi Arabia (doesn't sound like much, but it is a huge change for that culture). They are also being allowed into large stadiums (while still forced to sit in family area). I suspect at least some of that hyper protective culture is based on acknowledgement of human baseness regarding sexuality (and power of men over women).
JR
