Weinstein & His Ever So Supportive Associates
Image: Hilary Swift/The New York Times
When the accusations against Harvey Weinstein broke, it became clear that America’s perception of sexual assault was changing. Regardless of the criticism the #MeToo movement has drawn, many people can agree on the fact that the large sweeping accusations against Weinstein, catapulted a new age for femme presenting people. Femmes and other victims of sexual assault and or violence now feel more comfortable speaking out which further dismisses the stigma around victims.
However, even though the stigma may be going away Weinstein won’t. That is why on a fall night at a New York City comedy club’s private variety show, Kelly Bachman and a group of other fellow female comedians walked in and saw none other than Harvey Weinstein. Since the numerous allegations, plea deals, and court dates against him, Weinstein is rarely seen out in public or outside of his Connecticut home. Yet that night, Weinstein sat in the dim-lit comedy club in the VIP section surrounded by associates, as if none of the horrors he had committed were international headlines. For performer Kelly Bachman who is a rape survivor, seeing Weinstein made her believe that she couldn’t just go up and do her routine without acknowledging his looming presence. Bachman noted his appearance at the event during the beginning of her routine calling Weinstein’s presence, “.....a Freddy Kruger”, and she remarked that she, “......didn’t realize she needed to bring my own mace and rape whistle to Actors Hour”. Bachman’s blunt comments created silence in the audience and even booing. During intermission Bachman’s friends Amber Rollo and Zoe Stuckless confronted Weinstein, and were met with little support from other audience members. By the end of the night, ten women including Rollo, Bahman and Stuckless had been kicked out of the event, while Weinstein was allowed to stay.
Harvey Weinstein and his public appearance at the comedy club’s event shows how there is still a group of individuals who systematically create an atmosphere to support Weinstein and his actions. The comedy club who kicked Rollo, Bachman, Stuckless and the other seven women out for confronting Weinstein, later apologized on Facebook for the way the situation was handled; even though the organizer of the event Alexander Laliberte claims that her events are for people, “from all walks of life”. Laliberte’s comments besides suggesting that Weinstein’s actions are forgivable are further proof that powerful men like Weinstein can be publicly ostracized and still have some sort of leverage. Weinstein’s power should have been stripped, including his associates and others that continue to support him. Because the very people who are supporting Harvey Weinstein and protecting him, are the same people who were complacent in his actions over a more than 30 year period. The #MeToo movement should continue to take down men and women like Weinstein while putting a stronger emphasis on the people who cover up actions like Weinstein’s. These high profile predators won’t go down until we take their people down first. And until Weinstein’s associates are ostracized publicly and privately he will continue his disgusting predatory behaviour.