After reading Molly Ringwald’s recollections at the New Yorker about the demeaning experiences she’s had making movies, weak tea, really, after what we’ve been hearing for the last few weeks, I wonder if it’s occurred to anyone that the coarse, churlish, abusive men behind the camera in Hollywood are there because it gives them access to young, attractive women who want something? And over whom they have leverage? The more they want it the greater the likelihood of abuse?
I’m not blaming the victims; I don’t think that women should have to put up with such behavior to retain their jobs. I’m suggesting that the behaviors being complained about may be quite basic to the industry, not incidental, part of its basic structure.
This entire kerfluffle reminds me of when everyone suddenly went from making dark jokes about priests and alter boys to be horrified that priests were molesting alter boys. A sudden seismic shift in society, triggered by a single instance of what everyone already knew.
Or when the white supremacist turdball Dylann Roof shot some black folks at their church, and everyone seemed to realize that maybe the fondness for the confederate battle flag wasn’t a love of history after all, and that it really was a symbol of hate. Confederate flags got removed from a lot of state houses after that.
Was there anyone who hadn’t heard of the casting couch? Why did this particular incident become more than a two day story?
Why this particular incident? Leaving aside the political angles, some”me too”ism, strength in numbers anda lot of blood in the water too.
As to solutions, this Smithsonian article, the hat pin peril shows one way and has echoes we hear today.
On some of the libertarian sites they had been making the case that women should be able to trade sex for career advancement if they want to do so.
Steve
I’ve seen that as well and I think it exhibits an utter lack of understanding of the issue. I strongly suspect that none of the people making that case have ever known sex trade workers socially. I have.
I’m sure this quote is from Henry Kissinger, but I can’t prove it. “Power is the greatest aphrodisiac”.
If true, it takes the greatest willpower not to abuse power.
It’s attributed to him. He was quoted in the New York Times as having said it 45 years ago.
“I’m suggesting that the behaviors being complained about may be quite basic to the industry, not incidental, part of its basic structure.”
I’m sure that’s true, although depressing. We should also, if we are honest, understand that good looking women have been using that to their advantage in any number, including business, settings. Showing a little leg has gotten more than one sale.