Have we Internalised Misogyny?

It’s 2017, the age of revolution; we have wide-spread acceptance where inferiorities are no longer and women have discovered unwavering equality within society.

Sounds liberating, right?

Following recent sexual harassment scandals involving American film producer Harvey Weinstein, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking this is just a figure of our utopian, idealistic imagination.

Allegations against the Hollywood heavyweight have rapidly surfaced, amounting to 50 separate apparent offences (The Guardian). Famed actresses such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are amongst those that have been subject to the unwelcome advances of Weinstein, with Paltrow exclaiming she ‘felt petrified’ (NY Times). He was rumored to have invited the American film star to his hotel room, before placing his hands on her and suggesting they head to the bedroom for ‘massages’. Subtle.

In the wake of the commotion, the hashtag #METOO trended worldwide on social media, racking up more than 500,000 tweets by October 16th. The phrase was first used by social activist Tarana Burke in 2006, encouraging women to publicise their experiences to expose misogynistic behaviour.

Since the Weinstein events, the campaign has been popularized by various celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Ellen DeGeneres, denouncing sexual assault and harassment.

CC: @LadyGaga on Twitter

CC: @TheEllenShow on Twitter

Acclaimed ITV drama series ‘Liar’ has added fuel to the unrelenting fire surrounding sexual abuse, accentuating the adverse prevalence it has in today’s culture.

In a harrowing story, doctor and covert serial rapist Andrew fights against victim Laura’s efforts to expose his horrific actions, after he has raped - and videoed himself doing so – over 17 different women. It follows the success of ITV’s 3rdseries of crime drama ‘Broadchurch’ aired earlier this year, which victimized another vulnerable woman trapped in a rape scandal.

So, should we be worried that this storyline of misogyny-driven abuse is becoming an archetypal convention of the entertainment industry? As a result, are we in danger of becoming desensitized to and, subsequently internalizing, sexism?

Regardless, the emergence of Weinstein’s twisted secrets suggests that this problem is prevalent not only on fictionalized TV dramas, but in reality.

It accentuates the notion that gender inequalities are evidently suppressed by all, still. Women are stillobjectified, stillsuppressed and stillwither quietly under a status quo of misogyny.

A man profoundly praised and lauded for his cinematic prowess, hides behind a mask of pure evil, committing monstrous sexual felonies against an array of working women.

You may be forgiven for mistaking that as a Hollywood blockbuster film synopsis. But look again, it’s reality. And this one won’t be winning any Oscars, Mr. Weinstein.