It’s the story that’s been shaking Hollywood (and, the rest of the entertainment industry) for the last few weeks. From coast to coast women and men have been posting #metoo to social media platforms, indicating that they understand the battle with sexual harassment, that they’ve experienced it also and they know the internal struggle it presents. So what exactly happened with Harvey and what exactly do you need to know to understand the story? Let’s take a closer look at some of the updates from around the web.
What You Need to Know About the Harvey Weinstein Scandal
A couple of weeks ago, “the New York Times published an explosive exposé detailing almost three decades of alleged sexual harassment by the so-called “King of Hollywood,” producer Harvey Weinstein. Over the course of a months-long investigation, award-winning journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey spoke to several dozen colleagues, former colleagues, associates, assistants and industry peers to paint a picture that is more than mildly disturbing.”
Just one day later, “the board of the Weinstein company announced the film titan would be taking a leave of absence to deal with the allegations— but on the weekend, Weinstein was outright fired. Here, everything you need to know about the sexual harassment scandal shaking Hollywood.” (via Chatelaine)
Now, if you’re not deeply familiar with Harvey, let’s break it down:
- He’s a Hollywood producer and maybe – the most well-known producer in the industry
- He’s launched loads of careers
- He’s made many big box office hits
- Gotten loads of awards…
- After years working for Miramax, he launched his own firm, The Weinstein Company
- He has five children and is married to Georgina Chapman (the fashion designer)
The expose detailed an allegation by Ashley Judd, “who claims that Weinstein invited her to a breakfast meeting at his hotel in the late ’90s, and then called her up to his room where he offered her a massage and asked if she would watch him shower.” The article goes on to detail years of harassment to women who have worked for or with him over the years, indicating that he used power to overstep sexual boundaries with many actresses over an extensive period of time. The worst part of it all…it didn’t go unnoticed and the many layers of the Hollywood entertainment industry (who feared Harvey’s power and positioning) worked to keep it all a secret.
Here’s what Harvey had to say as the news continued to snowball:
“I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behaviour and work places were different. I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office — or out of it. To anyone. . . . I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it.” (via NYTimes)
What is #MeToo?
The movement began on social media after Alyssa Milano wrote on Twitter: “If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote ‘Me too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.”
Within days, millions of women and men used social media outlets to share the harassment they have faced in their own lives by adding the hashtag #MeToo.
It’s not a nice story, that is for sure. And, it’s tough looking around and knowing just how many of us have faced harassment in some way, shape or form. What do you think about the Harvey Weinstein scandal? Have you been inspired to share your own story? Let me know in the comments.
