Connect with us

Entertainment

#MeToo remains steadfast in its support for overturning the Weinstein verdict

Published

8 months ago

on

 

NEW YORK (AP) – #MeToo founder Tarana Burke has heard it before. Whenever there’s a legal setback, the movement is deemed dead in the water. Legal success and presto, it got here to life again.

And so Burke, who coined the phrase “Me Too” nearly twenty years ago based on her work with survivors of sexual assault, stated again after New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction. : The #MeToo reckoning is greater than another court case. It’s still there and dealing.

The most blatant piece of evidence, Burke said: “Ten years ago, we couldn’t have brought a man like Harvey Weinstein into the courtroom.” In her view, the movement was responsible for this massive cultural shift – no matter the Hollywood mogul’s ultimate legal fate.

Likewise, Anita Hill, who tried to take the long view at her 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearing, tried to take the long view after a legal setback that baffled many survivors and her supporters and, for greater than 1 / 4, became the face of the fight against sexual harassment. – 100 years before the Weinstein case, which launched the #MeToo movement.

In addition to his academic profession, Hill currently heads the Hollywood Commission, which goals to combat harassment in the entertainment industry. On Thursday, she sought to guarantee survivors that progress is real.

“I want those who are saddened by the New York Court of Appeals decision to know that no single legal ruling can ever compare to the tremendous progress we have made together in the anti-sexual violence movement,” Hill told The Associated in an email Press.

“The movement will continue,” she added, “fueled by the truth of our testimonies. There will be changes in our systems and culture.”

In this November 1, 2017 file photo, Tarana Burke, founder and leader of the #MeToo movement, marches with others during the #MeToo march in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file)

It was, after all, a difficult morning for survivors of sexual assault across the country, as Burke acknowledged at a rapidly arranged news conference in Manhattan after the court’s ruling attended by activists including Ashley Judd, certainly one of Weinstein’s first accusers.

In what Judd called an “act of institutional betrayal,” New York’s highest court ordered a brand new trial by a 4-3 majority, saying the first one prejudiced Weinstein, 72, by issuing inappropriate rulings, including allowing some accusers to testify about the allegations it was not a part of the case. Weinstein, nonetheless, will remain in prison because he was convicted of one other rape in Los Angeles in 2022.

Among those that testified in New York was Dawn Dunning, a supporting witness who told the court how Weinstein put his hand up her skirt and fondled her genitals during a business meeting.

Dunning told the AP through her lawyer, outstanding #MeToo lawyer Debra Katz, that she was “shocked” by Thursday’s ruling and handled a variety of emotions, including asking herself: “Is it all for nothing?”

“It took me two years of my life,” Dunning said. “I needed to live it day by day. I needed to experience the terror of confronting Weinstein. But would I do it again? Yes.”

She said that when confronted by the producer, she faced her worst fear and realized that he had no power over her. And she was proud that her testimony helped other women deserve justice.

Katz said she spoke to Dunning and other accusers – women who felt “gutted” – reminding them of the vital role they played in the broader fight against sexual abuse and violence.

“They witnessed this at great personal cost. (…) It changed their lives,” Katz said. “And feeling like it was all in vain is a very, very bad feeling.”

Still, Katz was confident that Weinstein could be convicted in a brand new trial.

“Their testimony was invalidated by the court today for legal reasons,” Katz said. But “no one doubted the truthfulness of what they testified about or the courage of their testimony. And although it is a failure in this case, I truly believe that their testimony changed the world.”

Harvey Weinstein on Grio.com
Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein leaves state Supreme Court on April 26, 2019 in New York after a pretrial adjournment over sexual assault allegations. (Photo credit should read: DON EMERT/AFP via Getty Images)

The testimony fundamentally modified the way people view and reply to problems with sexual violence in the workplace, she said.

“Their courage has grown beyond this case – people continue to come forward, people continue to support other victims who have come forward to report sexual assault and sexual violence, and I truly believe there is no going back from this,” Katz said.

This opinion is shared by Erika Rosenbaum, a Montreal actress who got here forward together with her own accusations against Weinstein in 2017 and has since spoken to numerous groups, especially young people, about sexual harassment and abuse over the years.

“Anyway, I feel like (#MeToo) is a movement that is getting stronger all the time,” Rosenbaum said in an interview. “It’s very much a movement of incremental steps, sharing stories and supporting each other. And that doesn’t change with the court’s decision… Because it’s very much a culture change. There are ups and downs, there are fights. But this is something that will last.”

Like her, many supporters saw the moment, nonetheless depressing, as a chance to call for renewed efforts to spread the #MeToo message.

“Today’s decision does not erase the truth of what happened,” said Fatima Goss Graves, head of the Time’s Up legal defense fund. It’s vital to recollect, she said, “that one well-known case doesn’t define this movement. We are strength.”

Featured Stories

Graves noted that since 2018, the fund has supported roughly 9,000 individuals who have filed sexual harassment complaints and funded 300 lawsuits. The fund is run by the National Women’s Law Center in Washington, D.C.; the broader Hollywood-based group, founded in 2017, transferred all of its assets to the fund in January 2023.

Burke emphasized in the interview that while legal progress is mandatory to realize progress, “the judicial system has never been a friend to survivors. That’s why we need movements, because in the past movements have pushed the legal system to do the right thing.”

Burke said she spent the morning talking to accusers, including actress Annabella Sciorra, who testified during her 2020 trial that Weinstein raped her.

“I understand how devastating and how disgusted and how angry — I just understand the whole range of emotions that so many of them must be feeling,” Burke said. “And I hope they understand for those of us who survived, who will probably never see our day in court, that they are still heroes to us.”

Burke, who spoke about her past as a victim of violence, added that she could never imagine facing her own perpetrator in court.

“So just the fact that they had to do this to hold someone like Harvey Weinstein accountable for his crimes is amazing,” she said.

 

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

Published

2 days ago

on

December 9, 2024

By

Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

Published

2 days ago

on

December 9, 2024

By

India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.

Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
Continue Reading

Entertainment

ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

Published

2 days ago

on

December 9, 2024

By

Instagram

With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending