As you know, to change a light bulb, one psychologist is enough – provided that the light bulb is ready to change. Alas, the average “light bulb” is not yet ready for change – at least as far as the structure of the world and the role of women in it are concerned. “He who has power can do whatever he wants, and many agree to these rules of the game. Many, but not all.” These “not everyone” have a hard time: it’s no joke to admit, for example, that they were victims of harassment. So, like the heroine of the movie “Scandal”.
What kind of reaction usually causes another accusation of harassment? As a rule, an avalanche of comments in the spirit of: “Again? Yes, how much can you do?!”, “Why was she silent before?”, “It’s her own fault”, “Yes, she just wants money/attracts attention to herself…”. At the same time, a large part of the commentators are women. Those who for some reason no one ever bothered. Those who are sure that nothing like this will ever happen to them. Those who are just “behaving normally”. Or maybe even faced with something similar, but accepted the already mentioned rules of the game.
And such a reaction does not make it any easier for women who dare to make accusations against those in power. Including their bosses. This is exactly what Fox News journalists did in 2016, about a year before the birth of the #MeToo movement. They, and not Marvel and DC characters, are real superheroines.
Because “no one benefits from a trial with Fox News.” Because “corporate rule number one: do not complain about the boss”, but “if we sue publicly in our work, no one will take you anywhere.” Despite this, they began to fight objectification, gender discrimination, fierce sexism and a toxic environment on the channel and, above all, with its director Roger Ailes.
“Scandal” directed by Jay Roach is about these events. About why a woman generally agrees to a humiliating role for her, and does not tell anyone about what happened. “Have you thought what your silence will mean? For us. For all of us,” the heroine Margot Robbie asks the famous American journalist Megyn Kelly (made up to the maximum portrait resemblance to Charlize Theron). The only thing left to do is defend.
“What did I do wrong? What did she say? What was I wearing? What did I miss?
About why the silence of many heroines was so long, and why it was so hard to decide to speak. There are doubts here – maybe “nothing like that happened”? And fear for my career.
And the fact that, even if you are sure that your case is not isolated, there is no guarantee that you will be supported. (“I jumped into the abyss. I thought at least someone would support,” host Gretchen Carlson, played by Nicole Kidman, bitterly admits to lawyers.)
And the habit of taking the blame. “Here’s the catch with sexual harassment at work: it […] makes us ask ourselves – what did I do wrong? What did she say? What was I wearing? What did I miss? Will it leave an imprint on my entire career? Will they say that I was chasing money? Will they throw me overboard? Will this define me as a person for the rest of my life?”
And the way other women behave: “Does Roger want us? Yes. He’s a man. He gave us time, opportunities. We benefit from that kind of attention.” Roger Isles gave them work. Aired in prime time. He gave his own shows. And they agreed to such a deal. Why? It seemed to many that this world – the media world, the world of business, big money – is so arranged; that it was and will be.
And this, in general, is enough for many to this day to continue to turn a blind eye to what is happening. Until the thought finally comes to mind that the next one could be, for example, our own daughter. Or until we face it personally or someone we know.