Hollywood’s Deafening Silence Around the Harvey Weinstein Case

Why is Hollywood not outraging over the Harvey Weinstein case?

Producer Harvey Weinstein and wife, designer Georgina Chapman.

(Photo: Reuters)

Actress Rose McGowan slammed the American film industry for its silence around the allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weistein via a scathing tweet which included a picture of her younger self.

“This is the girl that was hurt by a monster. This is who you are shaming with your silence.” was the tweet shared by McGowan on social media. In October last year, McGowan claimed she had been raped by an unnamed studio executive.

On Sunday, Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Co following reports of sexual harassment allegations. What Rose McGowan highlights in her tweet is the silence from Hollywood regarding the multiple allegations of sexual harassment against one of its biggest producers.

In a report, the popular news web platform The Daily Beast says it reached out to several prominent actors, actresses, and filmmakers about the case only to receive a standard “no comment” in response.

Also Read: Harvey Weinstein Ousted by Company After Harassment Allegations

A handful of actors though have reacted to it on Twitter:

In a follow-up article on the case, The New York Times reported that while everyone was speaking in whispers about Weinstein in Hollywood, nobody was ready to talk about it publicly.

Welcome to Hollywood, where people love to wag self-righteous fingers — over the past year, awards shows have become a platform for industry bigwigs to rail against the Trump administration — but run for cover whenever the topic casts show business in an unflattering light.

Brooks Barnes, The New York Times

Donald Trump Jr, the eldest son of US President Donald Trump prodded popular TV show host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel for a reaction. Kimmel who is known to be a vocal critic of the Trump government responded with, “it is disgusting.”

Brooks Barnes of The New York Times says that he made calls to over 40 people in Hollywood and almost all of them refused to speak about the Weinstein case. He quotes the editor of Variety, Claudia Eller, giving a reason for Hollywood’s silence,“Part of the reason is that Hollywood always protects its own. Going back through history. And there is still a lot of fear. Is Harvey really done?” she states.

Hollywood biggies, who come together at award shows and rant about atrocities around the world and criticise their own government, need to introspect about the lack of outrage over the accusations against Weinstein in their own industry.

To end with Rose McGowan again: