This is going to be a THREAD about #MeToo, #SpeakingOut and my feelings about making the world a better (AND SAFER) place for women - not only women in the entertainment industry - but for WOMEN. Period. I've got a lot to say and trying to figure out where to begin...
I was raised by a single mom. She had abusive boyfriends for years. I dealt with their physical and emotional nonsense from time to time. I never got really hurt, but I also didn't walk away unscathed. I saw male violence at its purest and brutal.
It didn't take an advanced degree in psychology to know that it was wrong to be abusive. My young male brain immediately understood that no one deserved to be treated that way. This became wired into my moral DNA and has remained there ever since.
In addition, I was surrounded by decent men like my grandfather and uncle who always taught me to respect all human beings. From an early age, I learned manners and conducted myself as a gentleman. Part of this was respecting people's space.
Jumping ahead to my adult years, I have maintained a level of awareness for women around me. There are several reasons for that - one of them being that I am a 6'2", large-framed Black male with the memory of #EmmettTill permanently seared into my consciousness.
Even without the threat of racist murder looming over me, I know that a man should: give women physical space, not touch them ever (without direct consent), keep all communication on a business level (unless you're in a romantic context) and (NOW THIS IS A BIG ONE):
Not turn every daily interaction with a woman into a potential sexual situation. This means TREATING WOMEN LIKE HUMAN BEINGS. Stop with the flirting, the innuendos, the fishing for compliments, etc. All of that needs to stop. A woman has the right to not be interested in you.
I've seen guys make themselves look stupid and become stalkerish when they throw themselves at women who just want to do their jobs or mind their own business on a subway platform or take a walk or have a cup of coffee on a park bench. Repeat: no human being deserves this.
There are men out there who don't understand a simple aspect of reality: JUST BECAUSE A WOMAN TURNS YOU ON, IT DOESN'T MEAN SHE OWES YOU ANYTHING. Stand in a mirror and say that 25 times or whatever it takes to sink in. She. Does. Not. Have. To. Like. You.
I've made statements like this in the past. My commitment to human rights is well-documented. But the tidal wave of male entitlement is mighty consistent. I've not PERSONALLY witnessed women being mistreated at any workplace I've been employed, but I know it happens.
The entertainment biz is rife with stories of inappropriate actions from the entry level to the CEO's offices. I find this reprehensible and will continue to call out unjust or problematic situations. Men have got to point out the harassers and abusers. The status quo must die.
Again, this has been my behavior pattern FOR DECADES and is not dependent upon social media pledges or current events. This stuff will change when it no longer becomes possible for abusers to hide in plain sight. (END THREAD).
@threadreaderapp unroll please.
