“It’s a bit of a witch-hunt.” That is a quote from Liam Neeson about the #metoo movement that has harassed some of Hollywood’s classic stars into retreat. It is interesting that the claims of the movement being a witch hunt are coming from across the pond. Neeson is echoing actress Catherine Deneuve’s comments reported earlier in the month.
The first question that comes to mind is why isn’t this position being taken by more men and women in America. Publicly. There certainly is a strong case against Harvey Weinstein, and he has virtually zero people from anywhere defending his actions. But what the opinions from across the pond are saying is that the most egregious offenders have been identified and basically kicked out. But enough is enough. It seems like the #metoo advocates will not be happy until every potential man who has sexually assaulted or harassed a woman in any way, shape, fashion, or form is rooted out and outed.
That does seem like a witch hunt, especially since false accusations are rolled under the wheels of #metoo progress and left behind for whoever to pick up.
Liam Neeson on the wave of sexual harassment allegations against high profile men in Hollywood #latelate pic.twitter.com/NzT0rWXf25
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) January 12, 2018
But it helps to understand the difference between the (perhaps unfair) use of the phrase “witch hunt” by opponents of the #metoo extremism and the actual Salem Witch Hunts of history. First, the accused witches of Salem had a trial before being hanged or crushed to death. A total of 14 women and 1 man were sentenced to death (the man was the one crushed).
In comparison, the #metoo movement has no actual trials held to determine guilt or hear a defense. The accusation is sufficient for guilt, and the punishment is becoming a social pariah and the death of a career and livelihood. The numbers of the accused are growing by the day, with the modeling being latest industry targeted. So the juggernaut of accusations rolls on as they grease their treads with the digital truth of social media.
Based on the definition, even is a loosely colloquial way, the phrase “witch hunt” is actually inappropriate to use against the #metoo movement. Like many people who have claimed themselves as victims from a system they have profited from — and some continue to profit — they need a more appropriate moniker for their continued efforts. Speaking of names, for all the energy expended on social media, in the mainstream media, and on entertainment channels, the actual number of names that have made the list are proportionately tiny.
I forgot to mention that those accused or men who have decided to fall on their own sword aren’t actually witches or practicing sorcery according to the best information available. But it might be a better approach for the #metoo movement to use because they could connect it to the use of drugs that reduced the resistance level of the victims.
But now I must confess something. It is getting more difficult to write articles about this because the stories are all sounding the same. That puts the #metoo movement at risk for fading into the sunset, no matter how well-intentioned they are.
Now if there were trials, that would keep people interested for quite some time.
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