Today, Harvey Weinstein has become another major figure taken down by #MeToo after being sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault.
Since 2016 we’ve seen a lot of women come forward against notable figures in Hollywood for cases in sexual assault. These women, led and empowered by the #MeToo movement, have taken sexual harassment survivor and activist Tarana Burke’s platform and pushed sexual misconduct into the forefront of Hollywood conversation. From R. Kelly to Matt Lauer, this movement has loudly proclaimed that these acts will not be tolerated any longer despite the power/influence of Hollywood’s most prominent figures.
The courts sentenced Weinstein to 23 years, just below the maximum prison time for his crime. So, it’s now time to hang up those “what about Harvey Weinstein” claims from the “Bill Cosby apologist” crew. You know EXACTLY who we’re talking about, the folks who think Bill Cosby, and other beloved Black figures, shouldn’t be held accountable for their actions if their white counterparts are not. Cosby was convicted for aggravated indecent assault in 2018 and is currently in jail.
“I may never see my children again,” Weinstein expressed as he addressed his past in a five-minute, rambling monologue where at one point the 67-year old admits to losing his train of thought while speaking.
Although today’s sentencing appears to be a huge win for the #metoo movement, there’s still a ways to go when it comes to holding people who abuse their positions of power accountable. The world is taking a stand against horrific acts of sexual misconduct in an industry where this has been swept under the rug for too long.
