‘You can’t charge a person with murder when they’ve only got a parking ticket…Sharon Stone…….’
Web Publication: Daily Mail, UK, by Danielle Zoellner
In the ongoing revolution against sexual harassment, it’s time to chronical further developments. I present the article featuring the sentiments of Sharon Stone as reported by Danielle Zoellner. While the Daily Mail and the reporting therein may not be the epitome of highest journalism, well, this is a story as seen by Sharon Stone. At this exact juncture, Sharon, as can be observed in this article, knows something about not just sexual harassment but can also talk credibly about sexuality and do so in the context of Hollywood without coming off like an opportunistic faker.
While the #MeToo movement is turning into a political movement…alas, voices of balance are shouted down. Matt Damon tried, had to retract. A coalition of about 100 French women actresses released a statement and they too were assaulted with feminist deconstruction. I can’t predict who or what will win but what I least want to see is yet another form of social totalitarianism to prevail. Fundamentalist repression of sexuality has its faults whether it comes from the Christian right, sharia practicing Muslims, or militant feminist. In the case of #MeToo, it’s already knee deep in repression waters.
There is a silent force at work here that has received virtually no coverage: ‘slut-shaming’. This comes in many different versions but it’s particularly strong as a secret code and silent weapon used by women against women. This accounts for the kinds of attack that occur when someone like Sharon Stone tries to add valuable perspective to the sexual harassment discussion. Before you throw a stone at Sharon, ask yourself if that stone has ‘slut-shame’ written on it.