*Note: While much of the #MeToo movement has focused on the experience of women with men in power, I want to acknowledge that there are many men who have had #MeToo experiences, as well. Just this weekend a story came out that a powerful conductor at The Met has been disgraced after sexual assault allegations from years ago came to light (with male TEENAGERS). FYI: Those allegations came before leadership twice in the past 30 years.. and it took until now for them to do anything…
Harvey, Al, Glenn, Matt, Garrison, Roy*: What do all these names have in common besides being the names of the guys your grandpa is hanging out with at his 70th high school reunion? They are the first names of powerful men recently disgraced by their sexual scandals. Their fall from notoriety and power is happening before our very eyes. Some of them are surprising (GARRISON HOW COULD YOU?), some are not surprising at all, (but YOU are gonna have a surprise when you get to Heaven’s gates, Roy) and the #MeToo movement has had the incredible result of empowering women to speak up against their accusers- the liberal, the beloved, the conservative, the sleazy- and finally be BELIEVED instead of the public running to the defense of the accused (except you, Alabama).It seems that every week there’s something new in the news about sexual harassment, sexual assault and a new fall from grace for someone in power. It’s encouraging for women who until now have been too scared to speak out. It’s scary for men who have something to hide- their secret won’t be for much longer. And for us, waiting for the next scandal to break- listening to our NPR comedy shows, reading our New York Times editorials, watching our morning shows while we drink our cofefe- we wait with bated breath not knowing who is next. Last week it was Matt Lauer. Who will it be this week?
I’ll tell you who it better f*cking not be:
Chip Gaines – #DemoDay Lover
If good ol’ Chip stepped out on Joanna, touched a 14 year old or got frisky with a PA on set, I want my money back. l mean all of the money I spent on the Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Collection from Target except I”m not giving the product back. TAKE THAT CHIP.
But seriously: We’ve been sold a love story and I’ve bought it, big time:
and I want to believe for a very very very long time (like forever) that they are infallible. LET ME.
Steve Inskeep – NPR correspondent
His laugh is infectious. I love hearing his voice first thing in the morning (seriously, I wake up with the NPR podcast Up First) and he feels like my dad, so if Steve Inskeep has been sending unsolicited dick picks to his co-host Rachel Martin, I can’t handle it. If they were solicited, then I hope those two crazy kids are happy (and I hope they talk to HR).
(Don’t think you’re out of the woods, David Greene. You’re my close second favorite at NPR. And don’t get me started on my love for Kai Ryssdal. NO MORE SCANDALS NPR. Leave that to Cable News.)
George Clooney – Actor, Husband to Philanthropist Amal Clooney
Pick Brad or Matt or any of the other Oceans Eleven (and obviously you can have the Afflecks), but don’t tell me George has a secret that’s going to take away my fond memories of my first hot doctor fantasy from watching ER.
Mr. Rogers- Cultural Icon
They took Bill Cosby,** they cannot have Fred Rogers too. Wearing cardigans before they became hipster-cool, teaching me about how to be a good neighbor and all the lessons that are woven in my childhood memories, it would almost be too much to handle if during “imagination time” Mr. Rogers was imagining a world where his intern was super naked and bent over his desk. I feel so dirty even writing that.
Joe Biden & Barack Obama – Politicians and besties
I could not. I can’t even go there. And as much as I love their bromance and am a big supporter of loving who you wanna love, I’d prefer if there wasn’t a scandal linking them together sexually in real life. Barack and Michelle are relationship goals and Papa Joe doesn’t like Barack like that.
I could come up with names all day: Armie Hammer, Rob Pattinson, Chris Pratt, Aaron Tveit (lol), John Krasinski, Ryan Adams.. the list goes on. There are some men who, if scandal hit them, would be TOUGH news to take. They are men I respect, whose work I love and who I’d really miss in the public light if they had a swift exit.
As more and more men are accused and found guilty of sexual harassment, sexual assault and inappropriate behavior, wielding their power over subordinates, we have to grapple with the question: Can we still love the art they made, pieces they wrote and good they did, even if they made questionable to horrifying decisions in their personal life?
I don’t know. I hope women continue to speak out. I hope the ones we know have secrets to hide are the ones with the actual secrets. I hope that the men I love and respect are as good as I think they are. But if they aren’t…. you can find me drinking a big glass of whiskey poured out of my Textured Stoneware Pitcher with a matte exterior from the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Target Collection.
*Harvey Weinstein, movie producer, Al Franken- Senator from Minnesota, Glenn Thrush- Reporter from the New York Times, Matt Lauer- Co-host of The Today Show, Garrison Keillor- host of Prairie Home Companion, Roy Moore- Senate candidate from Alabama.
**When I say they “took Bill Cosby” I mean: Bill Cosby drugged and raped women over the span of his career and that is no one’s fault but his own.
