Wednesday’s verdict in the defamation trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard marks the end of the legal proceedings. But the impact of the case will reverberate. The court of public opinion handed a decisive victory to Depp early on, spotlighting huge cultural blindspots that extend far beyond Heard—whatever you may think of her. Until we reckon with these blindspots, ordinary credibility judgments will be distorted in ways that disadvantage everyday accusers.
Tag: #MeToo
Who Owns Our Social Media Matters
Someone like Elon Musk, who wants to empower people who abuse the power of social media, is not going to improve our digital lives. Already, women and other marginalized people face widespread abuse and harassment online, with very little recourse against people who target them.
#MeToo’s Influence Paying Off in Congress
We have a long way to go to ending violence against women in America. But last month, the U.S. took several important steps toward achieving that goal.
‘The News That Didn’t Make the News’: How the Media Ignores Important Stories About Gender Violence and Inequity
News coverage of women by the nation’s most prominent news outlets is consistently skin deep and fleeting. The establishment press should stop treating women merely as spectacle, novelty or eye-candy and begin taking women and gender issues seriously.
South Korean Election Could Be a Turning Point for Women’s Rights
Earlier this month, Korea’s presidential election brought the conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol and his decidedly anti-feminist party into power. But the groundswell of activism and resistance won’t go away. In fact, some think it will only grow stronger.
Landmark #MeToo Bill Heads to Biden’s Desk Amid Fight to Protect Sexual Assault Survivors
On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act into law, which bans forced arbitration in workplace sexual assault and harassment cases and allows survivors to file lawsuits against perpetrators. It previously passed the Senate by unanimous consent in an unprecedented show of bipartisanship.
After decades of being silenced, survivors of sexual harassment and assault will finally have their day in court.
Biden Signs Bill to End Forced Arbitration for Sexual Assault and Harassment Claims, Protect Right to File Class-Action Lawsuits
“This bill will give thousands of survivors of sexual violence their voices back, they will not have to go through a secret process, designed by their employer, and keep their experiences secret forever. This is going to make such a real, meaningful difference in their lives.”
NFL Sends Mixed Messages About Gender Violence With Super Bowl Halftime Lineup
During the Super Bowl on Sunday, most of the rappers featured on the biggest stage in the world are known not only for their great talent, wealth and power, but for their misogynous attitudes—and in some cases abusive behavior—toward women, and some of the most gratuitously anti-woman lyrics ever.
“Dr. Dre, Snoop and Em have reached such an elevated status that it’s important to take a step back and think about their body of work. Read or recite their lyrics out loud and you will hear just how anti-woman their music has been over the past 20 years—and not just their music.”
Play Fair: Is Gender Equity in Music and Fine Arts Possible?
As 2022 begins, there are reasons to salute recent advancements women have made globally in the arts. But women are still underrepresented and underacknowledged in music and the arts.
#MeToo, Charlie Rose and Newsroom Practices: Teaching Ethics and Leadership in Journalism
A case study of Charlie Rose’s explicit actions in the newsroom and the workplace culture that allowed it to go on, is the center of a new teaching module designed to educate aspiring journalists in becoming effective and ethical leaders. It’s part of an effort to create media workplaces free of sexual harassment and employment discrimination.
Journalists who covered the story and individuals directly impacted by Rose’s behavior were interviewed to inform the study. Throughout the course, students are provided with knowledge of the legal tools they can use to fight sexual harassment, as they are often asked to wrestle with these issues and consider what they might have done in such a situation.