The “#MeToo” movement, which seeks to shine a light on systemic sexism and harassment, has been driven largely by the mantra that states simply, “believe women.”
In the immediate aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, this sentiment found importance and meaning. It was heartening to see it embraced by voices on both sides.
However, as the Weinstein dust settles, and as new alleged harassers are outed each week, partisans are creeping back to their old habits.
Supporters of Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., for example, are emerging in greater numbers to challenge the two women who’ve accused him of sexual harassment.
Three dozen women who worked with Franken during his time at “Saturday Night Live” co-signed a letter Tuesday testifying that, in their collective experiences, the senator has been nothing but a gentleman.
“We feel compelled to stand up for Al Franken, whom we have all had the pleasure of working with over the years on Saturday Night Live (SNL). What Al did was stupid and foolish, and we think it was appropriate for him to apologize to Ms. Tweeden, and to the public,” the letter reads. “In our experience, we know Al as a devoted and dedicated family man, a wonderful comedic performer, and an honorable public servant.”
“That is why we are moved to quickly and directly affirm that after years of working with him, we would like to acknowledge that not one of us ever experienced any inappropriate behavior; and mention our sincere appreciation that he treated each of us with the utmost respect and regard,” it added.
Before that, eight former female Senate staffers co-signed a letter last week stressing that they, too, have experienced nothing but gentlemanly behavior from Franken.
“Many of us spent years working for Senator Franken in Minnesota and Washington. In our time working for the Senator, he treated us with the utmost respect,” the letter reads. “He valued our work and our opinions and was a champion for women both in the legislation he supported and in promoting women to leadership roles in our offices.”
These testimonials, of course, do not prove that Franken never harassed anyone. They serve only to note that he has not harassed someone.
Bravo.
These letters feel as coolly calculated and backwards-looking as when various Fox News staffers emerged to testify that the late Roger Ailes was an upstanding individual.
As journalist Yashar Ali rightly notes, it would not be surprising if these letters had “a chilling effect on women speaking out.”
Pity.
After Weinstein, the “believe women” mantra was repeated widely in media, political, and entertainment circles. For many, it felt like a centuries-in-the-making moment. As we’ve yet to comprehend the full scale of the abuse and harassment perpetrated by the likes of Weinstein and journalists Mark Halperin and Charlie Rose, it seems clear that many industries need to do a better job listening.
But we’re starting to see the “believe women” refrain applied in a very selective fashion.
We’re seeing this right now with the right’s defense of Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore. We’re seeing this right now with the mounting defenses of Franken.
Both men stand accused of sexual harassment. The accusations on both sides are credible and substantiated. Moore’s alleged violations seem far worse, but that’s not really the point. The point is that each side is attacking the other for alleged sexual misconduct, while seeking to downplay accusations in their own backyard. Though they’d be the first to tell you they have nothing in common, there is virtually no daylight between the actions of the women who’ve come forward in Alabama to defend Moore and the actions of the SNL staffers who’ve emerged to defend Franken.
In short, we’re being told now to believe some women.
Scrutiny is always good, but it needs to be applied evenly. Most importantly, credible accusations need to be given serious consideration, regardless of whose politics are on the line.
