Weinstein: Who Is Really To Blame?

[sp1814]

The perpetrator or the victims?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4979554/Harvey-Weinstein-scandal-shames-actresses-kept-quiet.html

[hereIam]

Weinstein without a doubt.

[jim360]

"Oh, while I think about it: any chance of US liberals stopping talking about "a culture of rape" on college campuses (where it doesn't exist) and start talking about the culture of rape in Tinsel Town where it does?"

Or, alternatively, it exists to an extent in both.

[vetuste_ennemi]

I'm sure rape happens in both, but the term "culture of rape" doesn't apply to universities there or here. Unless you have the gender studies "research" papers to prove otherwise, Jim.

Tell me about the Cambridge experience. Nothing like first-hand knowledge.

[youngmafbog]

I'm afraid I am in the 'Everyone to blame camp'.

This was an 'open secret' but still 'starlets' queued up and went to his hotel. Surely you just would not do it unless you were happy with the 'casting couch' method of employment the hypocritical Hollywood luvvies seem to embrace.

The whole thing is a rotten to the core mess, and I doubt Weinstein is the only one by far. Wouldn't surpise me if women were in on it too, the Cougar does exist big time in Hollywood.

[sp1814]

I have a issue with the idea that these women did not speak out at the time to 'further their careers'. That implies complicity on their part, as if it were simply that they cynically kept quiet about it for advancement.

This is an abuse of power on the part of Weinstein. There was no way for his victims to know the extent of what he was doing. Each woman was on her own, and what they were doing wasn't trying to advance their careers, but instead trying to ensure that their careers weren't destroyed.

Would they be believed? Would they be on their own if they stepped forward?

Would some just assume they had an ulterior motive?

Would the old boys network simply protect the abuser?

Hollywood is not unique in this. It happens in all industries where power is concentrated in a small group of men.

I would not be surprised if the same were happening right now in music, television, politics, journalism and fashion.

It's very easy to say that others should be brave.

[jim360]

Yes, obviously my experiences (as a virtual social recluse for the first three-and-a-half years and anyway as a not-woman-so-not-typically-the-sort-of-person-one-would-associate-with-being-the-victim-of-a-perceived-culture-of-rape) are clearly going to be useful and informative in this regard...

I'm not sure I agree that the term "culture of rape" is all that helpful anyway, because in practice most men are clearly not sexual perverts on the scale of Weinstein or anything coming remotely close to it, and talking about a "culture of rape" feels a bit too much like it's implicating everyone in the accusation. But still, if there are men like him in Hollywood then there are going to be men like him at Universities -- hardly an unreasonable suggestion, given that the younger you are the easier it is to be less respectful of others' boundaries.

[youngmafbog]

//It happens in all industries where power is concentrated in a small group of men. //

And where power is concentrated on a small number of women.

[youngmafbog]

//That implies complicity on their part//

As I alluded to earlier, as it was a well known secret there must have been some complicity if they still went to his hotel.

I am in no way condoning this P O S by the way or anyone else involved. But ignoring part of the cause doesnt help stop it in the future.

[sp1814]

youngmafbog

First, I can't think of an industry which is female-led.

And secondly, I can't think of an industry which is female-led where widespread sexual abuse of men has ever been reported.

[sp1814]

youngmafbog

Who has said it was well-known?

[ummmm]

It was suspected, there were rumours, that certainly doesn't mean well known and it certainly doesn't mean every woman who has accused him had heard anything about his behaviour.

[naomi24]

SP, the Casting Couch always has implied complicity - probably because those who build their careers via that method are complicit.

[sp1814]

naomi24

Those who build their careers are complicit, but reporters who go to interview a man who then approaches them naked are not.

Nor are 17 year old girls who are invited to have a threesome by a man in his 40s.

Nor are women are raped (allegedly) by a producer in her own home.

I think maybe this may be the reason why so many women don't report sexual assault and rape - the idea that some will view them as partly responsible.

[naomi24]

SP, why address your post to me? I made no mention of any of that.

[jourdain2]

My personal feelings are to 'point the finger' at the 'A' list actresses earlier on; they were 'A' list then and could have stopped this with little effect on their careers (Paltrow is one example). He is a hugely unpleasant person and could have been stopped earlier, saving massive hurt etc., etc.. By the way, his name should rhyme with 'Einstein' - just an additional irritant.

I hope that the huge exposure will have some effect on the general culture of many industries. My own daughter got a slammingly bad review by her boss (A+ until then) after she refused his advances at a Christmas party. She left and is doing stonkingly well.

[Khandro]

v_e for best answer at 16:07. The 'casting couch' has always been the path to Hollywood stardom and even a place in the simple chorus line. These broads (sorry 'actresses') did the time-honoured thing, reaped the rewards, and now as their careers are fading are suddenly in the headlines again, with every agent keen to get their clients in on the act.
Do me a favour!

[sp1814]

Oh Khandro.

[anotheoldgit]

dannyk13
/// It must have been difficult for the victims knowing that Weinstein was virtually in control of whether they had a future or not in the film industry. ///

There are many men who gain a future in the film industry, without the need to offer up their bodies in exchange, easy to cry rape after the event.

[Islay]

//easy to cry rape after the event. //
Seriously?

[ummmm]

Yep...some of the so called gentlemen on here are serious!!