We all know by now the Harvey Weinstein was an abhorrent dick, it’s no surprise he’s being sued by the Attorney General of New York for violating state and city laws barring gender discrimination, sexual harassment, abuse and coercion. We’ve heard the terms ‘bullying’, ‘harassment’ and ‘intimidation’ thrown round, but it’s in hearing the detailed description of his day-to-day behavior that it really hits home just how despicable he really is.
Just like with #MeToo, when the words ‘sexual harassment’ became very real as women told detailed, personal account of their time with him, we’ve now got insight into the details behind his ‘bullying’ and ‘intimidation- and honestly, they’re worse than you could imagine.
According to the lawsuit against him, he called female employees ‘cunt’ or ‘pussy’ not just when they had disappointed him - which is already disgusting - but as their actual names. He would ask them if they were on their period, if their tampon was ‘up too far’ and allegedly told one woman that making babies was all she was good for.
Aside from the verbal harassment and degradation, he would also have women fulfill roles men would never be asked to do, such as babysit, deal with his doctors or help out his wife. He would demand sexual favours and tell women himself that they would receive opportunities dependent on how they looked on that day.
Wait, it gets worse.
Allegedly, he also had misogynist taskforces made up of women assigned to do various degrading duties. One group, dubbed his ‘wing-women’, were tasked with helping him meet young women hopeful to succeed in his company. They were made to teach them how to keep him happy, which included ‘smelling good’, wearing particular clothing and high heels, as well as introducing him to new women.
Another group had to facilitate said meet-ups, communicating with the so-called ‘Friends of Harvey’ on company computers and phones. They would have to clean up after his visits with women, including returning items of clothing that were left behind, plus provide erectile dysfunction shots- which some of them even had to personally administer for him.
If you’re not already on the verge of throwing up, the final group were in charge meeting women Weinstein wanted to sleep with and told to ensure that his ‘promise of employment opportunities to women who met with [Weinstein’s] favor’ were fulfilled. Of course, ‘male creative executives were not forced to take these kinds of meetings.’, the lawsuit states.
All of this behavior was demonstrated in front of other senior executives, including brother Bob Weinstein, and when reported to HR were essentially ignored. Those who accused him of ‘serious misconduct’ would end up leaving the company, all of this without being able to publically address his depravity because of non-disclosure agreements.
When executives did have the opportunity to fire him, when his contract ended in 2015, they instead chose to amend his contract with a prohibition clause that stated he would have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars should he violate the company’s code of conduct. Essentially, it monetized his behavior instead of firing him.
But it’s not the cover-up that’s so bleak about this situation, that much we expected from an industry laden with sexual harassment, it’s his behavior itself. We knew he was a disgusting excuse for a human, but this level of open, blatant hatred of women? This wasn’t a behind-closed doors, seedy creep who was so insecure he needed to coerce women into bed –which is not a justification at all, but an assumption many have made from his previously known actions - this was a man who paraded his misogyny like a badge of honour.
And now we really think of, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. A toxically masculine man with too much power who felt entitled to women’s bodies? Of course he hated women. We seem to place these expectations on him, still now, that he must’ve done this in private because how else could it go ignored for so long? Because how could such horrendous behavior continue for so long, in an industry more reported on than any other, with not so much as a whisper in the press?
We attempt to justify his behavior as an insecurity, a fault in his brain that made him need to flaunt his power over women, but in reality, he is the same product of patriarchal norms that all of us are subject too. We’re all taught that men are more entitled to our bodies than we are to our own, so much so that we still treat sex as if all about male pleasure (just check out how different sex education is in schools). It’s easy to rationalize his behavior as rooted in deep self-hatred, what’s harder to admit is that it’s rooted in a place of misogyny that we’re all exposed to from birth.
The way that we assign different norms to different genders, it all makes a difference in our expectations of each other as we grow, and when you really understand how entrenched patriarchal norms are in our society it doesn’t come as a surprise that this man acted this way. He gave us all the clues, we just didn’t want to listen because it’s so fucking terrible to know that this is the way some men still think. It’s time to wake up and tackle the root of misogyny, not give bullshit sex addiction help for self-improvement. It’s not a self-improvement problem, it’s a society improvement problem.
Click through to see the women fighting gender injustice on Instagram...
Inspirational Instagram Accounts You Should Follow
1 of 24Women In Comics
Illustrating inspirational images and depicting women in comic form, this account will brighten up your timeline with some home truths in the form of pretty pictures.
2 of 24Adwoa Aboah
This insanely beautiful model founded GURLS TALK, an online community where women from all backgrounds can share their personal experiences in a safe space.
3 of 24Alicia Garza
Alicia is an editor and activist who co-created #BlackLivesMatter. Her feed is a mixture of relatable memes, unfiltered selfies and educational posts to keep you woke.
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4 of 24Amandla Stenberg
You might recognise this actor from The Hunger Games, when she played the character only character we cried endless tears for, Rue. Now, while still acting, she's a full-fledged activist posting about everything gender, feminism and black culture.
5 of 24MuslimGirl/Amani
Amani created the fast-growing activism account @MuslimGirl, another one you should definitely follow. She has spoken across the world about Muslim women and posts everything from badass selfies to stats you need to know.
6 of 24Amber Amour
Amber created @CreatingConsentCulture which aims to educate people on rape culture and support rape and sexual assault survivors. She's also outspoken about racism and sex work, her feed will be endless many dinner party talking points.
7 of 24Amber Rose
You may only know Amber Rose as Kanye's ex, but think again. Amber is a sex positivity icon, with her own pocast 'Loveline with Amber Rose' up until 2018 that aimed to promote healthy sexual relationships and self-love. If you can get past the fact she advertised flat tummy tea once (fgs Amber), you'll love her feminism-filled feed.
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8 of 24Beverly Bond
Author of 'Black Girls Rock', Beverly's posts will have you both inspired and enraged, filled with commentary on everyday injustices.
9 of 24Bree Newsome
You may recognise Bree as the activist who took down the confederate flag from a flagpole outside the South Carolina Capitol building. She's continuing her activism with inspiring art you need to see.
10 of 24Cameron Russell
An american model who called out the fashion industry for sexual harassment and assault, she started the #MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse hashtag. Her instagram is full of inspiring stories and educational videos exposing different injustices within her industry and beyond.
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11 of 24Iskra Lawrence
If your not already following Iskra, your living under an Instagram rock. The body positive model started her own business, everyBODY with Iskra, to give health and fitness advice beyond just getting super skinny. You need her body posi vibes in your life.
12 of 24Jessamyn
Another super body positive account to follow, Jessamyn is a yoga teacher regularly posting about the emotional and physical benefits of body positivity and practicing yoga.
13 of 24Joanna Thangiah
Shun your timeline of filtered selfies and over exposed holiday destinations. It's time for some feminist, mental health aware art! This account is amazing for cute cartoons that say everything we're already feeling.
14 of 24Judy Reyes
You'll probably remember Judy as Carla from Scrubs, or one of the other thousand TV show she's been in throughout her insanely successful career. Unlike most Hollywood actors, her Insta is full of activism and news you need to know.
15 of 24Logan Browning
Activist and actor, Logan Browning is the lead of Netflix hit Dear White People. Posting powerful content and links to charities you can donate to so you can turn your online activism into action- she's a force to be reckoned with.
16 of 24Makers Women
MAKERS is a storytelling platform for women, posting quotes to keep you inspired throughout the day. Stay up to date with gender injustice, while also feeling hopeful with the powerful words these amazing women have to say.
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17 of 24Nimisha Bhanot
Another artist you need to follow, Nimisha creates amazing prints (which you can buy) critiquing societal perceptions of South Asian women. She's based in Canada, but these prints can brighten up your timeline anywhere.
18 of 24Muslim Girl
Muslim Girl, where 'muslim women talk back' is an account ran by Amani. Advocating for issues facing muslim women, both accounts are an inspiration and necessity on your feed.
19 of 24Project Consent
There's no time like the present to be educating people on consent. This account does exactly that, and gives you the perfect explanations, comebacks and reminders to throw out at a dinner party if the issue comes up.
20 of 24Rowan Blanchard
Gone are the days of Disney stars going off the rails, this actor and activist is a beacon of positivity- especially online. Fighting gender and race injustice and beyond, she's one to watch.
21 of 24Rupi Kaur
Rupi made headlines in 2015 when she posted pictures of her on Instagram with visible menstrual blood. Her posts were blocked by Instagram, causing backlash against the social media platform. She continues to break boundaries with her writing and poetry.
22 of 24Sophie King
This UK based embroidery artist is an up-and-coming star, embroidering feminist slogans onto everything from bras to roses. Bring her insta to life with her slogan t-shirts, or just stare at the pretty pictures, either way she's someone you should follow.
23 of 24The Vulva Gallery
Our favourite of all the accounts, the vulva gallery promotes self-love in an area SO often ignored. With two-thirds of women avoiding smear tests, life-saving procedures, because of the look of their vagina, it's time we stopped all of the self-loathing around genitals. Providing a regular reminder that all vaginas are beautiful, if you only follow one account of this list, it should be this one.
24 of 24Trash Is For Tossers
Lauren Singer lives an entirely waste-free life. Yes, you can actually do that. As #plasticfree takes over our news feed, it's time you had some daily advice on how exactly to reduce your waste. Save the planet!
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.