Mayim Bialik Accused of 'Victim Blaming' on Harvey Weinstein Op-Ed
"The Big Bang Theory" star Mayim Bialik was slammed for "victim blaming" after she penned an op-ed addressing the issue of Oscar-winning producer Harvey Weinstein's sexual misconduct.
Published on the New York Times, the same publication which broke the story of Weinstein's sexual assaults, Bialik said that she was "shocked and disgusted" but not entirely surprised. In the article, it seemed like she implied that how women look and dress determines them as targets for sexual harassment.
"I quickly learned even as a preteen actress that young girls with doe eyes and pouty lips who spoke in a high register were favoured for roles by the powerful men who made those decisions," Bialik wrote.
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Critics did not appreciate Bialik's rhetoric, which pretty much suggested that sexual assault survivors are at fault for the tragedies they have encountered, especially since Weinstein's victims were young and beautiful. As of now, about 40 women have spoken out about being victimized by Weinstein, celebrities and film-industry personnel included.
"Those of us in Hollywood who don't represent an impossible standard of beauty have the 'luxury' of being overlooked and, in many cases, ignored by men in power unless we can make them money," Bialik said.
Many turned to social media to bash Bialik for also suggesting that conservative wardrobe and behavior will prevent sexual assault.
In the op-ed, she emphasized how she chooses to dress modestly and how she avoids flirtations with men in public and takes it like a policy. Additionally, she said that the choices she makes are "self-protecting and wise."
Netizens slammed her for blaming the victims for their actions instead of calling out the men in Hollywood who are predators or men who are aware of these predators and have not done anything to stop them.
Bialik appeared in a Facebook Live with the New York Times' Opinion on Monday, addressing the criticism. She apologized, claiming she was speaking from a specific experience in the industry and was not referring to sexual assault in general.
