A Fight Against the Patriarchy

It's a male-dominated world, and us ladies are just living in it. Or so they say.

Well, the fabric of patriarchy has been torn this past week as a number of brave women stood up against one of the biggest Hollywood tyrants, Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein was able to get away with sexually abusing and assaulting women for decades because of the power the Hollywood patriarch society gave him. For years, this vile man was allowed to manipulate, abuse, and violate women simply because he knew no one would stop him. This is a systematic issue that is woven into the fabric of this industry, which allows men like Weinstein, like Cosby, like Polanski, like Savile, and like so many more that remain unnamed to continue to perpetuate this system of abuse because no one challenges them.  

I have so much respect and admiration for the women how have come forward to expose this man and for the women how have stood in solidarity with those abused. The industry, without a doubt, has been shaken by this event, and these women's voices have been heard. They have torn the fabric of the Hollywood patriarchy system and made it more transparent for those on the outside just how inhumanely women are treated in this industry. It's inspiring to hear these voices rise up and challenge the patriarchy that is so disgustingly embedded in this industry. 

But, unfortunately, it's a male-dominated world and, in the eyes of these abusive men, women are merely toys for them to play with. In the interview above, Emma Thompson lays out elegantly and intelligently the problem that plagues this industry. She makes a number of fantastic points regarding the situation and the power structure within the industry (I would highly recommend watching the whole the interview). At the end, she is questioned about what should happen next. Revoke his CV? Kick him out of the Academy? Sure, but she makes the defining point that it's not about what happens to him, it's about addressing this issue and addressing the predators that exist in this industry. We need to stop remembering the abuse that happened and instead act. Do something to change this systematic dominance of men. Because in the end if nothing changes, than we'll be back here in 5, 10 years will the same story of powerful men, who are invincible because of structure of the system, abusing ambitious women. Something has to be done to change this system of power and dominance, and more women placed in powerful roles in the industry, as Thompson remarks, may be a solution.  

This isn't an issue of feminism or an issue of women's role in the industry. This is an issue of human rights and human decency. It's an issue of the persistent cycle of abuse that has plagued this business, and this society, since the beginning. This is an issue of breaking this cycle and making the work environment safer for women and by not making them feel like they have to tolerate this abuse and violation of their humanity just to keep their job. But as Emma Thompson said, how can this issue be fixed when it is exemplified in the most powerful man in the world. 

I mentioned this organization in a past Inspiration Tuesday, but I though this would be a good place to mention it again. The F-Rating is dedicated to bringing awareness to women in the industry. They advocate for women's equality in the film industry and strive to encourage to see a greater rise of women in prominent positions. For more information on the F-Rating, visit f-rated.org.