Alec Baldwin has stepped in it, once again, over the #MeToo movement.
In an upcoming episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, set to premiere on Netflix on July 6, Baldwin tells Jerry Seinfeld that the #MeToo movement has made him afraid of touching his wife. According to The Daily Beast, the two are driving from New York City to Massapequa, Long Island when Baldwin says, “Isn’t it a new world between men and women now? We’ve got to really, really be vigilant. Ever vigilant.”
“I put my arm around my wife the other day and literally my arm, like it was an electric charge,” he continues. “I put my arm around my wife’s waist and then went, ‘Oh, I’m sorry! Was that inappropriate?’”
“You may be over implementing the new guidelines,” responds Seinfeld.
The thing is though, I’ve heard this all before. Unfortunately, more than not, I’ll hear some guys talking about how hard dating is in the #MeToo era because they’re so scared of doing the wrong thing or crossing the line and ending up being called out for sexual misconduct, but here’s the thing, dudes: It’s not that hard. All women are asking for is that you have consent before engaging sexually with them, and if you think that’s soooo hard to do, well then you are just not a good guy, and no one feels sorry for you.
This is the way things should have been all along. If the point here is that men should think twice before touching a woman, then yeah I can get behind that. Know why? Because for generations and generations (and generations), men have pretty much done what they’ve wanted to, without fear that women would come forward to accuse them of sexual misconduct, because they had already created an environment to ensure that doesn’t happen—by making them feel unsafe in doing so. Now that the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have created a safer space for women to come forward, men have to think a little more, and that’s a good thing. If you’ve always been a good guy with good intentions, things really shouldn’t be that much harder for you.
That brings me back to Baldwin, because sometimes, he just shouldn’t speak. Not only was his comment about hugging his wife ridiculous and reminiscent of some of the most ridiculous reactions out there, but he doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to the #MeToo movement.
Not only did Baldwin defend his friend James Toback after more than 300 women came forward to accuse him, but he also had a comment for Asia Argento, who is one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers. During a November 3 interview with PBS, Baldwin pretty much lambasted Rose McGowan after she came forward about Weinstein. “When women take money, and are silenced by that money, even though they took the money and were silenced because they were told beyond the money it was the right thing for them to do, keep quiet, don’t make too many waves, it’s going to hurt your career,” said Baldwin. “When they do it, nonetheless, does it set back the cause of change?”
Following that interview, Argento tweeted at Baldwin calling out his complacency. “Hey @AlecBaldwin you’re either a complete moron or providing cover for your pals and saving your own rep. Maybe all three.”
Hey @AlecBaldwin you're either a complete moron or providing cover for your pals and saving your own rep. Maybe all three. https://t.co/sMERs2Y11y
— Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) November 4, 2017
Baldwin responded with, “If you paint every man with the same brush, you’re gonna run out of paint or men.” Gee, thanks for answering the question and being an ally for women.
Seriously, Baldwin? Maybe instead of worrying about touching your wife, you should worry about the behavior of men in Hollywood who defend the creeps and continue to feed an environment in which victims of sexual assault have to carry the blame, instead of those who committed the crime. You can start with yourself.
(via The Daily Beast, image: Netflix)
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