It seems like whenever we turn on the news, be it the computer, television, radio or print, someone is getting caught with their drawers down.
Harvey Weinstein got the ball rolling. It seems to be getting worse each day.
I was just saying to a friend of mine in show business: "Is it my impression, or are all the perverts in the States?" O
ne doesn't have to go much further than the president to see that. Then look at some of the Canadian greats, Christopher Plummer, Kiefer Sutherland, Martin Short, Paul Anka and even Jim Carrey. Nothing. I also have never heard of any Canadian PM being accused of improprieties towards women.
Then that theory was shot down right away with the mention of Jian Ghomeshi. My pal responded that Canadians are a bit more... private about it.
One doesn't have to be living under a rock to have heard stories about Hollywood and the "casting couch."
As sickening as it was, and likely still is, it is how many women became stars.
I have a dear friend whom I have known for about 30 years. Tippi Hedren is an actress. She is a wonderful human being who refused to succumb to the advances of Alfred Hitchcock to a point where he assured her that he would make it very difficult for her to work her craft if she did not comply with his advances. She stood up to him and he kept his word.
Hedren is known for her role in The Birds and my favorite Marnie. Following those, Hitch blackballed the young actress. The fact that it worked gives some indication of the complicity of others.
When he passed away I asked her how she felt. Her response: "Relieved".
We know that PG isn't full of saints. One doesn't have to go very far to be reminded about several cases of abuse by certain teachers. Of course, we must not forget about the priests as well as the residential schools for First Nations children. And then there was the case involving a local judge.
It isn't just Hollywood, it's about some men in powerful positions. It certainly can't be about the sex. Most of the actions being talked about would be considered as disgusting and gross by people of all genders.
The feminist movement of the 60s & 70s, led by powerful women like Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem and Germaine Greer didn't stop the abuse. It has taken until now for not only women, but also men and children, to attempt to put the kibosh on dirty little secrets. Has our society gotten so sick?
We have all been hearing about this abuse for far too long. Why has it taken so long to come forward?
Several breaking stories have come from journalists who took the whispers and did some investigative reporting. Is social media the answer? Social media has allowed women and men and outlet to speak out and get support, but it can also be a double edge sword. Just look at Anthony Weiner, who is now in jail.
I wish that I had answers but the most important advice is to communicate. If an action between two people, for whatever reason, does not feel right, then it isn't right. Do not let anyone put you in a position that my friend Tippi was put into.
Self-esteem can take you a long way.
