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Certain questions don't need to be asked.

"Why didn't she say anything sooner?"

It's the question that frustrates sexual assault prevention advocates and discredits the victims who bravely come forward after they've been targeted.

Stars Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow β€” who both disclosed to The New York Times they'd been sexually harassed by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein β€” were among the many women forced to trudge through a predictable wave of victim-blaming following their disclosures.


Paltrow and Jolie's descriptions of abuse followed an explosive report in the Times on Oct. 5, 2017, that chronicled decades of alleged sexual harassment at the hands of Weinstein β€” a man with seemingly boundless sway and power in the filmmaking world.

Sadly, Paltrow and Jolie were met with various forms of the question. "Why didn't the women of Hollywood stop him?" sprouted up immediately in corners of the internet.

One viral comment on the Times article, however, nailed why questioning a victim's actions after surviving sexual harassment or assault does so much harm.

"It is disheartening to see so many comments already blaming women for not 'speaking up,'" the reader, identified as "K" from Brooklyn, began.

"Please count yourself lucky that you've never had your career on the line based on whether or not you sleep with your boss," they continued. "It has nothing to do with fame and riches; this happens to women making minimum wage in retail as well as women who fought through it to become CEOs."

"K" continued, giving context as to why it's often very difficult and complicated for survivors to speak up after being abused (emphasis added):

"The psychology behind this kind of thing is not that complex, so please spare a moment to consider: Not only are these women made to feel humiliated and embarrassed, but in some cases if they had come forward, they not only would never work again, they also would be seen as whiners and 'too sensitive.' Both Jolie and Paltrow fended him off. Imagine if they made a big stink about it. They would have been ripped apart in the media! 'Oh for goodness' sake, a dirty old man came on to you. You rejected him and moved on, why the fuss?' But, of course, now we must insist on blaming them for 'perpetuating' Weinstein's behavior. Please."

As "K" described, victims often stay silent because they're vulnerable to the power abusers have over the situation; victims could lose their job or see their credibility attacked, for instance. These kinds of power dynamics β€” whether it be in Hollywood or not β€” play a big role in why victims stay silent.

For victims of sexual harassment, the threat to their livelihood does not end after a single encounter with an abuser. If a young, less accomplished Paltrow had spoken out against a figure like Weinstein, would he have irreversibly tarnished her reputation? Would he have planted unforgiving stories about her in the media? Would she have ever worked again? These are the sorts of threats victims weigh before speaking out. A predator's hold on a victim's career or reputation creates a culture of silence.

The commenter also used Brad Pitt's involvement in the story to note a sexist double standard in how we see victims of sexual assault.

If we're blaming Paltrow and Jolie for not speaking up sooner, why aren't we blaming Brad Pitt as well?

Pitt, who'd been romantically involved with both Paltrow and Jolie at different points in his career, reportedly knew about Weinstein's predatory behavior, according to The Daily Beast, yet he worked with Weinstein on two films following the disturbing encounters. The fact that he's largely been left out of the discussion says a lot about how we view victims of sexual assault, particularly when they're women.

"K" went on to say that the attitudes of blaming women for their own persecution are astounding: "Note that the comments have not centered around Brad Pitt's not saying anything, though he knew about it with not one but TWO romantic partners...It is not the women's job to monitor men's behavior."

The assertions made by "K," whose comment drew over 3,000 likes and a long thread of supportive replies, aren't just steeped in opinion; advocates argue sexual harassment is rarely just about sex β€” asserting power plays an instrumental role.

"Most frequently, survivors of sexual harassment, exploitation and violence delay making an official report of what has happened out of fear of how others will respond," Kristen Houser, chief public affairs officer at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, explained to HuffPost in March 2017. "From retaliation by the perpetrator to gossip, dismissive responses and outright victim blaming by colleagues, friends and family."

We need to stop asking "Why didn't she say anything?" and instead wonder "Why aren't we doing more to support survivors?"

This article originally appeared on 10.12.17

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Constance Wu kept it real about the need for diverse stories in Hollywood.

Politics, leadership, and Hollywood were on the menu at this star-studded women's brunch.

Some of Hollywood's brightest stars joined forces not for awards, premieres, or accolades, but for a bigger cause β€”empowering women.

On Tuesday, Feb. 27, comedian and TV host Chelsea Handler partnered with Emily's List, a nationwide resource for Democratic women running for office, to host the Resist, Run, Win pre-Oscars Brunch and panel in Beverly Hills. The lively discussion among panelists former U.S. senator Barbara Boxer, Amber Tamblyn, Padma Lakshmi, Elaine Welteroth, and Constance Wu focused on women speaking up β€” and speaking out β€” about politics, leadership, and running for office.

Left: Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Emily's List. Right: Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.


β€œWe are in a moment for women’s leadership and empowerment at every level of leadership and especially in positions of political power," Handler said in a statement. "Emily's List has been leading this charge for over 30 years, and this event marks an important opportunity for women in Hollywood to help shift the momentum of this important cultural moment into direct electoral power."

The panel definitely wasn't politics as usual. Actress Constance Wu discussed the importance of visibility and representation in Hollywood.

Wu stars in the hit sitcom "Fresh Off The Boat," the first show in more than 20 years to feature an Asian-American family. This summer, she'll appear in "Crazy Rich Asians," a film based on the Kevin Kwan book of the same name. According to Wu, it will be the "first studio Hollywood movie ever, ever, to star an Asian-American in a contemporary context."

Think about that. Asian-Americans are often cast in historical films or in supporting roles as best friends or sidekicks, but we almost never see them save the day or fall in love. That's why Wu has intentionally shifted her career in another direction, pursuing opportunities that center and value her experience as an Asian-American.

Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Emily's List.

"I think .... understanding the thing that makes you different is nothing to be ashamed of. Actually, it's the thing that makes you great. And I think stories [should] celebrate that ... center that experience rather than having us be like the side characters who support a white person's story."

Former Teen Vogue Editor-in-Chief Elaine Welteroth also highlighted the need for diverse stories, and shared how pursuing them changed her for the better.

Welteroth, who recently stepped down to pursue opportunities in TV and film, was the youngest person to lead the magazine, taking on the role at just 29. She was also only the second black woman to lead a magazine in the history of publishing giant CondΓ© Nast. Though an intimidating position for many, Welteroth rose to the challenge.

During her time at Teen Vogue, Welteroth made a point to highlight the stories and issues of young people who don't usually see themselves in mainstream publications because of their faith, gender identity, or ethnicity. The decision proved wise when the brand quickly soared under leadership. Teen Vogue’s website had nearly 8 million viewers in January of 2017, and just under 3 million the previous year.

Elaine Welteroth (L) and Amber Tamblyn speak onstage at Emily's List's 'Resist, Run, Win' Pre-Oscars Brunch on February 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Emily's List.

"What we found is the specificity of those stories pierced the zeitgeist of more people than we had reached prior," she said. "There is something universal about speaking of the experience of 'the other.' It is critical in a moment like this because it triggers empathy."

That's why even away from magazine publishing, Welteroth will continue to tell those authentic stories, starting with herself.

"Me being authentic, being exactly who I am is so important and so radical. Wearing my hair in an afro is important ... because a young girl is looking at me and I'm giving her an example of what's beautiful and what is centered and what is valuable in society. It's countering everything else that she's seeing. So that's important work."

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.

As more women find inspiration and courage to run for office in their community or state, the importance of inclusivity can't be overstated.

Politics and government should be places where we uplift and celebrate the voices that too often go unheard. We should look to our leaders to role model community-building, acceptance, and the power of unity. Because only together can we mobilize to make change happen.

A bunch of badass women brunched together in L.A. on Feb. 27, hungry for change in Washington come November.

Over poached eggs and avocado toast, women like former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, former Teen Vogue Editor-in-Chief Elaine Welteroth, and comedian Chelsea Handler zeroed in on a shared goal for 2018: Get more progressive women from diverse backgrounds elected to public office.

Amber Tamblyn, Constance Wu, Elaine Welteroth, Padma Lakshmi, Barbara Boxer, and Chelsea Handler. Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.


Actress Amber Tamblyn was one of the panelists at the Resist, Run, Win, pre-Oscars Brunch, organized by advocacy group Emily's List.

And while she was on stage, her confident, candid comments truly sent the room abuzz with laughs, applause, and approving hell yeahs.

Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Emily's List.

"We're in the midst of a revolution," Tamblyn said to applause, noting the importance of calling the movement what it is. "All these women who paved the way and worked their fucking asses off to make sure we can sit in rooms like this and … say, 'No, equality is now the norm.' This is how things go forward. And we’re not asking you anymore. We’re saying, 'This is the way it goes, period.' And you’re either with us or you’re against us."

Tamblyn pointed out how men can be great allies too β€”Β by basically getting out of the way.

"We need [male allies] to get out of our way, in the best possible sense," Tamblyn said to laughs and applause. "When we figure out what we want for ourselves β€” for our bodies, for the workplace, for power positions, for what we deserve to get paid β€” we’re going to come to you and ask you to support us. And that’s when you’re going to step in line and be a part of what we’re doing."

Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Emily's List.

The actress also proposed a word she coined that nails how women can get the most done: Be "angranized."

"I’ve said it before and I think this is really true," she said. "When women are angry and women are organized, Β we’re 'angranized.' We’re a good combination of those two things. And that is the most dangerous thing this country has to offer β€” β€˜angranized' women."

Judging by the record-high number of progressive women running for office β€” and winning when they do β€” it sure sounds like Tamblyn's on to something.

Learn more about Emily's List and make sure your voice is heard loud and clear next election.

Don't let the Oscars, Golden Globes, or any award show fool you: Women filmmakers exist.

Not only do they write, direct, edit, and produce the films we love, they make it all happen in an industry predominantly led by men. Many of these women had to work twice as hard to get half as far as their male counterparts, but it didn't stop them from pursuing their passions, and telling stories on the big screen.

In the wake of Β #TimesUp and #MeToo, women directors decided to start an empowering social media movement of their own β€” #femalefilmmakerfriday.

Aline Brosh McKenna, showrunner and co-creator of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," and the writer behind "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Annie" (2014), kicked things off Jan. 26 by sharing a photo of herself on set.


Other women in film quickly joined in, sharing photos of their time behind the camera.

The new weekly tradition continues with big names, rising stars, and passionate fans sharing their favorite behind-the-scenes photos of women in film.

This seemingly small act is a big win for representation. Not only do fellow women in film get to celebrate their peers, but fans get to see and learn more about the talented women behind the scenes. And young girls considering careers in filmmaking get to see the strong community waiting to welcome them into the ranks. It's a weekly exercise in positive representation β€” and it's awesome.

Here are 13 of my favorite photos so far.

1. Women in film are telling their own stories ...

2. ... and elebrating triumphs ...

3. ... and sharing things they've learned.

4. And whether they're a woman who’s already "made it"...

5. ... or is just starting a new challenge ...

6. ... everyone has something to contribute.

7. Because this community of women is bigger ...

8. ... stronger ....

9. ... and more talented than anyone gives them credit for.

10. And the fans wholeheartedly agree.

11. So pull a few more seats up to the table, Hollywood.

12. Because women in film are here to stay.

13. And we can't wait to see what they dream up next.