For a lot of people, the results of this trial are a relief. Primarily, for male victims of abuse in all forms who have, for too long, not been included when they should have been for reasons that were unfair and unhelpful. In the last thread, a lot of people -- some of them who told their story of abuse -- celebrated. Not because, I think, Amber Heard lost, but rather, because they saw themselves in the plea of Johnny Depp to be heard.
People around the world are dug in so deep that that they seem unable to take a step back and realize that behind the drama, the alpacas, the memes, whatever, there's a story here that is true, and a story that is false. What Amber Heard has done is lie about things that are so awful, so beyond the pale, and so damaging to every victim of abuse, that she cannot continue as the face of any movement. It simply cannot be allowed. We're all on the same team here, and we want victims to be heard, and to be safe. I don't even think that we fundamentally disagree about who was right and who was wrong. I think we're just so tied up in our defense of a movement, that we forget what that movement is really for; who it's actually supposed to protect.
I strongly believe -- as hard as it is to see now, with Twitterites gloating, right-wing publications having a field day, and a concerted effort by left-leaning media to hide the results of the day -- that MeToo will stand stronger than ever when the dust settles here. No movement is the output of one person, and no face is the heart and soul of one. To those who are hurt and angry at the results, I beg you, reconsider why you feel that way. Think about what you're really afraid of, be honest with yourself and others, be braver, and be better.
The externalities of this are difficult, emotions are high, and bad actors are doing what bad actors do. We cannot join them, which is why for the first time in a long time I am proud that ResetEra provided a place where, against the grain, progressives could gather and talk about something like this without being afraid of what their feelings and conclusions might suggest. I myself let a lot of my relief manifest today in hatred and anger for others, rather than happiness at the success of a person to be able to tell their story. I made it more about me than the people it actually effects. Ask yourself if you're doing the same.
And if you're on the wrong side of this issue, realize you're still on the right side of history to be concerned about abuse victims. Find your way to seeing that, and if you can, you're welcome in my book. But to double down and hide the truth and care more about a movement than the people it's designed to serve -- which is unquestionably all of us, and not just some of us -- is wrong, plain and simple. Obviously, none of us can do anything about our more extreme actors who harass, belittle, and work every day seemingly tirelessly to make this world worse. And there's plenty of that going around right now. Don't let it be a rationale to ignore reality.
That's it. That's all I'll say. If you're a victim of abuse, speak your truth, and know that I will only be on the website as long as it supports victims, male, female, and non-conforming. That's the best use of this thread in my opinion.
lawandcrime.com
www.independent.co.uk
