Discussion Group 2 - June - #MeToo

June's Discussion Topic -

This month, we will be revisiting the #MeToo movement. There have been significant developments since our first discussion in high-profile cases like Cosby and Weinstein, as well as numerous additional celebrity accusations that have come to light.

Of greater note to PFC, some intellectual allies have had credible accusations brought against them, such as American Atheists President David Silverman and influential physicist/author Lawrence Krauss. I think there is a discussion to be had about how we should treat the work of some of these people we may have held in high regard.

We will continue the discussion about harassment and sexist behavior in the everyday workplace. This is something we talked about the first time around, but we have the opportunity to dig deeper into the topic now. A good talking point may be whether the culture is changing as much in the middle and lower classes as it is in Hollywood and among other more public figures. We seem to hear more about actors, politicians, etc. due to the media-friendly names and stories they present, but what examples of a full cultural shift have we seen?

There are plenty of examples recently in popular culture that have been frustrating, Bill Clinton was criticized as coming across tone-deaf in a recent interview about the movement:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/clinton-i-wouldn-t-have-done-anything-differently-lewinsky-affair-n879721

Actor Jeffrey Tambor had one of his shows cancelled and caused tension during a promotional interview for another over questions about his misconduct in one of many such examples in Hollywood.

https://mashable.com/2018/05/25/men-arrested-development-cast-metoo-hollywood/#5rYliJrz4Oq9

Other Recommended Reading:

Our first discussion on this topic featured Gretchen Carlson's recent book Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back, which can be found among others on this #MeToo book list courtesy of Greensburg Hempfield Area Library

http://www.ghal.org/adults/metoo-book-list/