The Harvey Weinstein scandal ignited the public debate about the sexual abuse of women and encouraged many who’d suffered in silence to speak out. But will all the talk lead to real change?
Jesse Reyes’ haunting song “Gatekeeper” details the pervasive casting couch culture in the entertainment industry, a sad pattern experienced by Hollywood A-listers who say it has happened to too many women.
The many allegations against Weinstein are just that, unproven accusations, and they underscore a more widespread problem, according to civil rights attorney Eric Sanders.
“There’s no system in place to really protect people so they’re not taken advantage of,” Sanders said. “And that means both sides.” It just can’t be a conversation among women, said Andrea-Rachel Parker, who plays Destiny on the hit Starz series “Power.”
“The conversation needs to start with men taking responsibility of their actions and then also becoming advocates for women’s safety,” Parker said.
She believes mistreatment of women extends far beyond the entertainment industry. “Sexual harassment isn’t a race thing, it’s not about class, it’s not about race it’s not about one specific work industry,” she said. “It’s all over for everyone.”
All the attention being paid to the accusations against a supremely powerful Hollywood figure does have a positive aspect, according to Dr. Elisa English, a clinical therapist.
“I think now it has given the power back to women,” she said. “They’re able to have this conversation. People believe them, people understand them, and now they’re learning to have empathy for their experiences.”
Many believe that breaking the silence is a step in the right direction.
–LISA EVERS #streetsoldiers #push4peace #metoo #sexualharassment #sexualassault
FEATURED CAST:
LISA EVERS, Host and Executive Producer, Street Soldiers https://twitter.com/lisaevers
SOWMYA KRISHNAMURTHY, Music Journalist and Pop Culture Expert https://twitter.com/SowmyaK ERIC SANDERS, Civil Rights Attorney and Founder of The Sanders Firm, P.C. https://twitter.com/SandersFirmPC
ANDREA-RACHEL PARKER, Actress, Singer and Choreographer https://twitter.com/Power_STARZ
DR. ELISA ENGLISH, Clinical Therapist https://twitter.com/AskDrElisa
