The conversation about rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment turned topsy turvy after Mayim Bialik, the actress who’s best known as Blossom, wrote a piece for the NY Times titled, Being a Feminist in Harvey Weinstein’s World. In Mayim’s op-ed she has some dangerous opinions, almost as if she is alluding to the fact that prettier girls need to take more responsibility about not getting harassed or assaulted. 

Bailik says things like:  “I have decided that my sexual self is best reserved for private situations with those I am most intimate with. I dress modestly. I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy.” I-Dress-Modestly? I-Don’t-Flirt? Oh really Blossom?  The piece was uncomfortable to read at times, especially from a woman who has a doctorate in neuroscience and is still a successful actress in Hollywood.  One would believe that a person with this much experience in the entertainment industry and intelligence would never bring up a woman’s clothing in association with her being placed in a compromising, dangerous position.  Mayim went on with her awkward ramblings:

“In a perfect world, women should be free to act however they want. But our world isn’t perfect. Nothing — absolutely nothing — excuses men for assaulting or abusing women. But we can’t be naive about the culture we live in.”

In reading Mayim Bialik’s article, the actress seemed to be trying to cleverly talk around the issue of what she really wanted to say.  As an industry vet,  she along with many others knew that Weinstein was basically a creep; and instead of Mayim making any accusations toward the predator, she instead placed the responsibility on the prey – making it seem like these women should have known not to be in his company, not to go around him, and not to flirt with him.  Just check out this “love advice” video from Courtney Love in 2005:

Mayim, in her attempt not to mention Weinstein in her opinion piece, missed the mark in her feministic view of a woman’s right to do and be whatever she wants to be in Hollywood, without the threat of being assaulted.

In pure Twitter fashion, women were quick to let Mayim Bialik know what they thought about her journalistic contribution to the NY Times:

On Sunday, Twitter users continued the conversation with the use of the viral hashtag #MeToo.  Users decided to take action and share their tragic and brave stories of sexual assault, harassment, and attempted assaults in order to let other women and men know that they are not alone, its ok, and it is not your fault if you are a victim.  Even Gabrielle Union had to let Mayim Bialik know that her rape occurred as a young girl, and she was fully dressed at the time (so your outfits don’t matter when it comes to sexual assault):

Here are some interesting statistics about rape, sexual harassment, and sexual assault:

• 1 in 6 women, and 1 in 33 men have been the victims of rape or attempted rape.
• There are 293,000 victims of sexual violence every year in the United States.
• Only 3% of rapist ever spend time in jail.
• 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college.
• Rape victims who go to the ER are forced to pay an average of $1000 in hospital bills.

On Saturday, Bialk responded to the blacklash she received after her op-ed piece went viral:

“I’m being told my N.Y. Times piece resonated with so many and I am grateful for all the feedback. I also see a bunch of people have taken my words out of context of the Hollywood machine and twisted them to imply that God forbid I would blame a woman for her assault based on clothing or behavior. Anyone who knows me and my feminism knows that’s absurd and not at all what this piece was about.”

Sorry Blossom, but until you can call out Harvey Weinstein in the same manner you called out those “young girls with doe eyes and pouty lips who spoke in a high register”, you know – the prettier girls in Hollywood; you will continue to miss the mark in your messages regarding rape culture, especially in the entertainment industry.

To the women and men brave enough to share their #MeToo stories on social mediai – we stand with you.  If you are a person who needs help, contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline number is 1-800-656-HOPE.

Sources

RAINN

SAAPM

My Sister’s Place

Broadly.vice.com

NY Times