In early October, the New York Times published a story highlighting numerous accusations against well-known film mogul Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein’s work as a producer has earned him numerous Academy Awards, producing films like Gangs of New York, Shakespeare in Love, My Week With Marilyn, and various others. With more than eighty victims coming forward, a sensation known as the “Weinstein effect” has come into place, resulting in more allegations flooding against others such as Louis C.K, Kevin Spacey, Matt Lauer, and plenty more. With new allegations occurring every day, light is being shed on what really occurs amongst those film stages.
Hollywood is the birthplace of the largest and most profitable entertainment industry in the world. Looking past the glitzy movie stars, red carpet showings, and award ceremonies, you find a world dominated by men. A place where young aspiring actors and actresses pursue are later faced with a dark world of abuse. Powerful men in the business use their positions in the industry to misuse their power and take advantage of these new actors, oftentimes hanging exciting job opportunities over their heads. Harvey Weinstein has been in the film industry for nearly three decades and the sudden uproar in accusations against him have sparked up one question: how has this been going on for this long? The answer to this is that the surrounding people who operate within the industry do not want to risk their prime mean of support. Executives, make-up artists, assistants- they don’t want to risk anything. They can witness harassment first hand and will keep their mouths shut for their own sake. Because of these cowardly acts, despicable men like Weinstein and the dozens of other men who have been accused, are able to do as they please to young actors without worrying about the consequences.
Many of whom have been victims are well-known and established actors in the industry as it is, such as Blake Lively, Angelina Jolie, Cara Delevingne, Lupita Nyong'o, and many more. As competitive as the business is, Hollywood is a free-for-all of work for the most successful actors and actresses. Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Amy Adams- most in the industry could only dream to be at level of these actors. One of the few ways to get there is to keep bold connections with the powerful people who can provide them the work to get them there. This is one of the main reasons that victims will not speak out on the abuse, in fear of being problematic, and possibly losing all that they know in the industry. Their own reputations could diminish.
Sexual misconduct and abuse became such an ordinary thing in Hollywood, that everyone turned away from it, and the victims. Currently, Weinstein has been fired from his own company, Miramax, and is under investigation in hopes of being slapped with criminal charges. Kevin Spacey has also faced consequences, being written off his Netflix hit “House of Cards”. From this point on, all victims should not be afraid to come forward with their abuse and hopefully, all men who have committed their disgusting acts will get what they deserve.
Hollywood is the birthplace of the largest and most profitable entertainment industry in the world. Looking past the glitzy movie stars, red carpet showings, and award ceremonies, you find a world dominated by men. A place where young aspiring actors and actresses pursue are later faced with a dark world of abuse. Powerful men in the business use their positions in the industry to misuse their power and take advantage of these new actors, oftentimes hanging exciting job opportunities over their heads. Harvey Weinstein has been in the film industry for nearly three decades and the sudden uproar in accusations against him have sparked up one question: how has this been going on for this long? The answer to this is that the surrounding people who operate within the industry do not want to risk their prime mean of support. Executives, make-up artists, assistants- they don’t want to risk anything. They can witness harassment first hand and will keep their mouths shut for their own sake. Because of these cowardly acts, despicable men like Weinstein and the dozens of other men who have been accused, are able to do as they please to young actors without worrying about the consequences.
Many of whom have been victims are well-known and established actors in the industry as it is, such as Blake Lively, Angelina Jolie, Cara Delevingne, Lupita Nyong'o, and many more. As competitive as the business is, Hollywood is a free-for-all of work for the most successful actors and actresses. Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Amy Adams- most in the industry could only dream to be at level of these actors. One of the few ways to get there is to keep bold connections with the powerful people who can provide them the work to get them there. This is one of the main reasons that victims will not speak out on the abuse, in fear of being problematic, and possibly losing all that they know in the industry. Their own reputations could diminish.
Sexual misconduct and abuse became such an ordinary thing in Hollywood, that everyone turned away from it, and the victims. Currently, Weinstein has been fired from his own company, Miramax, and is under investigation in hopes of being slapped with criminal charges. Kevin Spacey has also faced consequences, being written off his Netflix hit “House of Cards”. From this point on, all victims should not be afraid to come forward with their abuse and hopefully, all men who have committed their disgusting acts will get what they deserve.