Sexual harassers and predators are officially on notice: The world is done putting up with your b.s.
Following an inspired international calling out by French feminist organization d’Osez le Feminisme, Roman Polanski bowed out as president of the César Awards (France’s Oscar equivalent). The group had issued a statement after Polanski’s appointment was announced, saying they were “nauseated”, and would protest on the awards red carpet;
The appointment of Roman Polanski is an outrageous act to the many victims of rape and sexual assault. We reply that the quality of his filmography has little do with the crime he committed, his flight, and his refusal to assume his responsibilities.”
The director’s lawyer responded that Polanski was “deeply saddened” and would not preside over the ceremony; organizers quickly issued their own statement:
This decision is a victory, a first victory for those who want violence against women to be taken seriously, to create a real awareness of the magnitude and gravity of the phenomenon that leads to concrete actions to protect victims, the conviction of the perpetrators and above all, a real change in education and therefore the behavior of men in our society,”
That’s the crux of calling out the entertainment industry’s tendency to gloss over or completely ignore a sexual predator’s personal actions in favor of public celebration — the more we do it, the more people who refuse to keep quiet, the less accepted it becomes.
In that vein, Constance Wu (Fresh Off the Boat, The Sound of My Voice) is refusing to comply with advisors who say she shouldn’t speak out about allegations of sexual harassment against Academy Award candidate, Casey Affleck. In 2010, Affleck settled suits brought against him by producer, Amanda White and cinematographer, Magdalena Gorka; exactly why “nobody seems to care” about the accusations and the case is murky, at best, but not everyone is about to let sleeping does lie. After his Best Actor (Manchester by the Sea) nomination was announced, Wu began her Twitter campaign:
Men who sexually harass women 4 OSCAR! Bc good acting performance matters more than humanity,human integrity!Bc poor kid rly needs the help!
— Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) January 24, 2017
Boys! BUY ur way out of trouble by settling out of court!Just do a good acting job,thats all that matters!bc Art isn’t about humanity,right?
— Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) January 24, 2017
She quickly decided 140 characters wasn’t really enough, and aptly explained the difference between the art itself, and celebrating people in a way that sends a clear message to victims — it doesn’t matter what you did, because you’re a great artist.
Here’s a thing I wrote during an convo w/ @PeterShinkoda about how Casey Affleck’s win will be a nod to Trump’s. pic.twitter.com/FjrRsniS9d
— Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) January 24, 2017
Her best tweet was yet to come, though, because someone in the business let her know it would be best for Wu to keep her opinions to herself … but the actress wasn’t having any of that:
I’ve been counseled not to talk about this for career’s sake. F my career then, I’m a woman & human first. That’s what my craft is built on.
— Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) January 24, 2017
That’s just the kind of bravery we need right now. It’s time for no more acceptance of the status quo, time for us all to stand up and speak for what we know is right; against what we know is wrong. It’s on all of us to be part of the revolution, no matter how uncomfortable others try to make it. So, from me to you, Ms. Wu, thank you for standing up for victims everywhere, and for women.
And … for sharing your bunny.
For some lighter fare, look how cute my bunny is ❤️? pic.twitter.com/z2y5kPPpnh
— Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) January 24, 2017
