terry crews isn’t here for your toxic masculinity

The moment that baby angel and perfect human being Terry Crews came out as a survivor of sexual assault, he’s had to play defense. From the deliberate silence of his peers, to attacks by other men questioning Crews’ masculinity, the Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor has shown strength and compassion in a situation divorced from both. Most recently, Crews, the survivor, was criticized by comedian D.L. Hughley for maybe not doing enough to prevent his alleged assault. “God gave you muscles so you could say no and mean it,” Hughley told VLADTV in August, going on to say, “I think it’s hard for me to think that a dude with all those muscles can’t tell an agent to not touch.”

Hurt and disappointed by a fellow Black man brushing off the abuse faced by another, Crews recently responded asking the comedian point-blank: “Are you implying I ‘wanted’ to be sexually assaulted?” Crews tweeted Sunday morning.

@RealDLHughley

You told the world “God Gave Me Muscles So I Could Say No…”

Are you implying I “wanted” to be sexually assaulted?

I’m listening, sir…https://t.co/v6Q4xrvfJQ

— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 27, 2019

Since he went public about his alleged assault, Crews has been an outspoken advocate for other victims in the #MeToo movement. At every step he has challenged the notion of what a victim looks like and how they’re supposed to behave and react. Sadly, D.L. isn’t the only public figure reducing Crews’ experience to the butt of a joke. Rapper 50 Cent also tried to come for him and Crews — who never stoops to low — just wasn’t having it.

You @50cent @unclerush and @tariqnasheed have decided my sexual assault was hilarious, whereas there are a whole generation of black women and men who don’t think it’s funny.

ABUSERS PROTECT ABUSERS but they MOCK SURVIVORS as well.

When you see me, keep it moving.

— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 27, 2019

What’s been so interesting to observe in the wake on Crews’ #MeToo moment is how someone who is so hyper masculine in appearance can still be victimized, and how Crews’ refuses to use his masculinity in toxic ways, instead opting to raise awareness and visibility.