alleged abusers receiving oscars is cognitive dissonance in the era of #metoo

As well-intentioned as the Hollywood portion of the #MeToo movement is claiming to be, it was really odd on Sunday when (at least) two men accused of assault and rape graced the Academy Award stage to pick up Oscars of their own. I know it’s hard to keep track, but the two men I’m referring to are Gary Oldman who took home Best Actor for “The Darkest Hour” and Kobe Bryant who won for his animated short “Dear Basketball”. Earlier in the ‘00s, Oldman was accused of domestic violence by then wife Donya Fiorentino in 2001 and Kobe Bryant who was tried in a very public 2003 rape case. In his apology, Bryant said “Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.”

So wtf were they doing being honored at a post-Weinstein ceremony?

The #MeToo movement has a long way to go, the groups that have appropriated it have a responsibility to continue to take out their trash.