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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2017/dec/03/the-metoo-moment-is-hitting-home-and-it-hurts-but-its-our-chance-for-change
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| The #metoo moment is hitting home, and it hurts. But it's our chance for change | The #metoo moment is hitting home, and it hurts. But it's our chance for change |
| (17 days later) | |
| Last month I went to the Glamour awards, where a forward-thinking women’s magazine honored women smashing the barriers of yesterday. | Last month I went to the Glamour awards, where a forward-thinking women’s magazine honored women smashing the barriers of yesterday. |
| During this inspiring evening, four women stood on stage and bravely shared their stories of sexual assault at the hands of people who held power over them. They were introduced by the two reporters who broke the Weinstein story, which effectively set the stage for what has become a watershed moment. The women went on to detail the steps they had taken to find some justice, which invariably meant a great deal of uncomfortable personal exposure. | During this inspiring evening, four women stood on stage and bravely shared their stories of sexual assault at the hands of people who held power over them. They were introduced by the two reporters who broke the Weinstein story, which effectively set the stage for what has become a watershed moment. The women went on to detail the steps they had taken to find some justice, which invariably meant a great deal of uncomfortable personal exposure. |
| These women invited anyone who’d shared similar experiences to stand proudly with them – and in a physical embodiment of the #metoo movement, the majority of the audience instantly rose to their feet. | These women invited anyone who’d shared similar experiences to stand proudly with them – and in a physical embodiment of the #metoo movement, the majority of the audience instantly rose to their feet. |
| Standing with them in that auditorium, the sheer commonality of this story took my breath away. I was overwhelmed in that moment, and the feeling continues with the breaking news stories, and the wave of millions who have declared #metoo. | Standing with them in that auditorium, the sheer commonality of this story took my breath away. I was overwhelmed in that moment, and the feeling continues with the breaking news stories, and the wave of millions who have declared #metoo. |
| The scale of this unspoken culture, and the abuse of power manifested in sexual aggression, shouldn’t really come as a surprise. But the fact that we have collectively kept an open secret like this for so long is inherently shocking. Now we are discovering that this culture also exists in Australia, the truth is hitting home, and it hurts. | The scale of this unspoken culture, and the abuse of power manifested in sexual aggression, shouldn’t really come as a surprise. But the fact that we have collectively kept an open secret like this for so long is inherently shocking. Now we are discovering that this culture also exists in Australia, the truth is hitting home, and it hurts. |
| No one is numb to the discomfort when we are forced to look at the darker parts of our collective psychology. As a society, what have we sanctioned in secrets and silence? What are these parts of our humanity that have the potential to treat others with complete disregard, assuming that power, fame or both will keep them silent? | No one is numb to the discomfort when we are forced to look at the darker parts of our collective psychology. As a society, what have we sanctioned in secrets and silence? What are these parts of our humanity that have the potential to treat others with complete disregard, assuming that power, fame or both will keep them silent? |
| Radically, the heart of this movement suggests that this imbalance will no longer be enough to keep less powerful victims silent. It turns an age-old pattern of behaviour inside out, exposing it to the light and giving us the chance to move forward as a society. | Radically, the heart of this movement suggests that this imbalance will no longer be enough to keep less powerful victims silent. It turns an age-old pattern of behaviour inside out, exposing it to the light and giving us the chance to move forward as a society. |
| Seizing this opportunity would mean fundamentally changing our culture. Some of those accused of inappropriate behaviour have never considered their manner of operating unsavoury or upsetting, because the culture has fostered it. For those on the receiving end, it is so hard for a less experienced person to say “stop” when the world you’re trying to break into keeps saying “this is normal”. Morality is not instinct; we create the normal, and we are responsible for it. Harnessing that responsibility in this moment gives us the opportunity to take an unflinching look at our relationship to the power and status we have in our own lives; how we treat others and how we wish to be treated. We have the opportunity right here, right now to make a new, healthier normal. | Seizing this opportunity would mean fundamentally changing our culture. Some of those accused of inappropriate behaviour have never considered their manner of operating unsavoury or upsetting, because the culture has fostered it. For those on the receiving end, it is so hard for a less experienced person to say “stop” when the world you’re trying to break into keeps saying “this is normal”. Morality is not instinct; we create the normal, and we are responsible for it. Harnessing that responsibility in this moment gives us the opportunity to take an unflinching look at our relationship to the power and status we have in our own lives; how we treat others and how we wish to be treated. We have the opportunity right here, right now to make a new, healthier normal. |
| I work in the creative arts, which people might think is a space where it’s impossible to keep interpersonal and power dynamics healthy. But in my experience, creating stories works best when there’s good communication and agreed boundaries. Those checkpoints are crucial to what makes or breaks your feeling of safety or trust, just like any other workplace. Of course, what is asked of performers is particularly unique, but their safety – like anyone’s – centres around being able to comfortably express their needs and boundaries, so that they can perform to their best ability. I have had experiences on both sides of the fence: times when I have felt incredibly safe and free, and other moments when I have felt compromised. | I work in the creative arts, which people might think is a space where it’s impossible to keep interpersonal and power dynamics healthy. But in my experience, creating stories works best when there’s good communication and agreed boundaries. Those checkpoints are crucial to what makes or breaks your feeling of safety or trust, just like any other workplace. Of course, what is asked of performers is particularly unique, but their safety – like anyone’s – centres around being able to comfortably express their needs and boundaries, so that they can perform to their best ability. I have had experiences on both sides of the fence: times when I have felt incredibly safe and free, and other moments when I have felt compromised. |
| As these issues come to light more publicly, both at home in Australia and abroad, I have great faith that the major storytelling houses – and all workplaces – will take the opportunity to examine their culture, and foster an environment in which everyone can feel safe; in which a hierarchy of power, status and experience means great leadership, even mentorship, and not a chain of abuse. | As these issues come to light more publicly, both at home in Australia and abroad, I have great faith that the major storytelling houses – and all workplaces – will take the opportunity to examine their culture, and foster an environment in which everyone can feel safe; in which a hierarchy of power, status and experience means great leadership, even mentorship, and not a chain of abuse. |
| We have to create clear guidelines around what is OK and what isn’t so people can give their best, without the sickening fear of offending and being offended. We need well established, protected systems that everyone knows how to access. There must be clear pathways to unbiased investigations, and quick resolution. Acting now, with decisiveness, we need those in charge to set clear expectations for everyone that mitigate against the risk of paralysis in the face of industry transition. Let’s step into the new normal together. | We have to create clear guidelines around what is OK and what isn’t so people can give their best, without the sickening fear of offending and being offended. We need well established, protected systems that everyone knows how to access. There must be clear pathways to unbiased investigations, and quick resolution. Acting now, with decisiveness, we need those in charge to set clear expectations for everyone that mitigate against the risk of paralysis in the face of industry transition. Let’s step into the new normal together. |
| There is a future where sex is not a weapon. A society that has a respectful place for everyone’s level of experience, so that wherever you are in your journey you can enthusiastically commit yourself to the task at hand, confident of what will be asked of you. | There is a future where sex is not a weapon. A society that has a respectful place for everyone’s level of experience, so that wherever you are in your journey you can enthusiastically commit yourself to the task at hand, confident of what will be asked of you. |
| There is a future where power and influence come with a mandate to lift others up, no strings attached. | There is a future where power and influence come with a mandate to lift others up, no strings attached. |
| • Yael Stone is an Australian stage and screen actor who stars in Orange is the New Black. She is a teacher and board member for Liberation Prison Yoga and a member of the Resistance Revival Chorus | • Yael Stone is an Australian stage and screen actor who stars in Orange is the New Black. She is a teacher and board member for Liberation Prison Yoga and a member of the Resistance Revival Chorus |