From marches against a pussy-grabber in the White House to the exposure of dozens of powerful, sexist men in media – 2017 has been the year women fought back.
No question it’s been a tough year for many women. One that shook their faith and tested their resolve. But ultimately, it’s been galvanising. It was the year where a mountain of accusations against Hollywood executive Harvey Weinstein sparked a #metoo movement, giving women a space to share their personal stories of abuse and mistreatment knowing finally it was safe to do so.
Listen: The Mamamia Out Loud team discuss the importance of Salma Hayek’s essay on her relationship with Harvey Weinstein. (Post continues.)
The latest example of women standing up for each other against the men who sought to take advantage of them, is a plan to wear black to the Golden Globes as a silent form of protest against the grotesque abuse women have suffered at the hands of some of Hollywood’s most powerful men.
It’s a simple, yet clever plan to send a powerful statement: women, we’re with you; abusers, the time of you using your power as an opportunity to exploit has ended.
So why then, when the attention should be focused on the behaviour of men, has Rose McGowan chosen to turn her anger towards veteran actress Meryl Streep?
This week, McGowan, who before sharing her allegations of rape at the hands of Weinstein, lent her voice to the 2016 campaign against Donald Trump, sent out a Tweet in which she called Streep, and any other women who “happily” worked for Weinstein, a hypocrite for participating in the Golden Globes protest.
In it, McGowan also sarcastically suggested the actresses wear designs made by Georgina Chapman, Weinstein’s ex-wife.
Now we completely understand McGowan’s frustration. Before Weinstein was exposed as a predator, Streep, like many other men and women in the US entertainment industry, praised him.
Perhaps it’s this joke she made while accepting a 2012 Golden Globe that particularly irked McGowan: “I just wanna thank my agent Kevin Huvane and God, Harvey Weinstein, the punisher, Old Testament, I guess.”
However, what we don’t understand is why the activist has chosen to attack a fellow actress, one who has told of fighting back when she witnessed abuse, for not her refusal to participate in a signal of solidarity, but her willingness to.
Streep, and any other actress who chooses to participate, are only trying to ensure a conversation started this year continues into the next.
While McGowan has an unequivocal right to feel what she feels - we can't help but sense her anger is misdirected in this instance.
After all, aren't the real enemies - and the focus of the protest - the men who abused women? The system that created a culture where women had to some extent be complicit in order to thrive in Hollywood?
So Rose McGowan, Meryl Streep is not the enemy. In a year that has been marked by a united front of females fighting against oppression and abuse, don't end 2017 by shutting down other women for wanting to stand together and make a statement.
It's the only way to move forward.
Listen to the full episode of Mamamia Out Loud here.
Top Comments
I’m with Rosie. Meryl says women become more perceptive and observant after experiencing abuse. It’s a pity she didn’t notice that about “God” earlier, or maybe she did and Rosie is right.
Streep saying “Cher was there” is like saying I have a witness to my good deed. I love Meryl the actress but I am glad Rosie called her out!
Disagree with this article.
I believe there are A LOT of very famous Hollywood women that knew about HW and remained silent to ensure their own self-gain and successful careers. Rose has every right to call those women out for their hypocrisy. Being a woman doesn't just give you a 'get out of jail free' card. Many famous women intentionally turned a blind eye and continued to work with HW and other vile producers/directors for self gain. Now they are jumping on the bandwagon because it's the 'in-thing' and in the hopes of being hailed heroes. If we can call out the men that turned a blind eye, then we should be able to call out the women too. Hypocrisy does not discriminate by gender.
As uncomfortable a truth that is, you are absolutely right
I was going to write something similar, but you've said it much better than I ever could.
In regards to "Many famous ... [people] intentionally turned a blind eye and continued to work with ... vile producers/directors for self gain.", I could also add: often while preaching the importance of social justice to the rest of the world.