As the #MeToo movement approaches its one-year anniversary in October, an unsettling pattern is beginning to arise.
Over the past six months, and now with accelerated momentum, the high-profile men accused of sexual assault have been planning their so-called “comebacks.” One after another, stories are emerging of how these widely-known perpetrators are making event appearances or other business moves in order to reinstitute their names among the public. Now, survivors and the larger movement itself is left to grapple with a challenge to its foundation of accountability.
Following the public condemnation of abusers that began in October 2017 and has continued since, many men were either fired from top positions or withdrew themselves to avoid further scrutiny. It seemed for a while, then, that when harassment was openly shamed it was met with some sort of action. The stories of abuse poured in without pause, and virtually every industry has been affected by such outcry.
Despite this outwardly unstoppable wave of momentum, defiance against culpability remained. Since spring of 2018, the number of reports citing the efforts of accused men to re-enter the spotlight has only grown. Names including host Charlie Rose, chef Mario Batali, and anchor Matt Lauer supposedly began “eyeing their second comebacks” shortly after their public defamations.
As Amanda Arnold from The Cut explains, “the systems that have kept these men in charge are strong enough to weather a few incriminating news stories.” These systems, found deeply rooted in patriarchal practices and structure, have always erred on the side of the man—even when he is blatantly at fault. Scapegoating tactics like questioning the accuser’s motives, calling her a liar, and otherwise proclaiming the accused’s innocence by way of solidarity from friends are all employed to provide some form of career insurance. Any combination of undertaking new projects, making statements about their “self-work,” and receiving agreeable media coverage helps lay the path for return.
Most recently, a new crop of men are dipping their toes into the waters of a comeback. Longtime Fox News host Bill O’Reilly was dismissed from the media company after it was discovered that parent company, 21st Century Fox, paid millions of dollars to women who had come forward with allegations of assault against O’Reilly. It’s now been reported that he is in talks to join right-wing network, Newsmax TV. Comedian Louis C.K. stepped out of the public light following accusations by five women in November 2017 that he had masturbated in front of them, which he has since confirmed. Less than 12 months later, he has returned to the comedy scene in New York, reportedly receiving a standing ovation prior to his set and avoiding commentary on the harassment. Fellow comedian, Aziz Ansari, has begun doing stand-up shows once again and comedian-turned-politician, Al Franken, has “had two acts and he’s still going to have a third,” according to colleagues.
In the case of the latter two men, the conversation around re-entry into the public sphere becomes particularly contentious for many. On the spectrum of harassment, their stories fit in a territory that requires an honest conversation surrounding their actions. Ansari’s allegations stem from an anonymous story posted on Babe.net in which a woman says she went on a date with him and he continued to ignore cues that she did not want to engage in sexual activity. In Franken’s case, eight women came forward to allege groping and other inappropriate conduct.
While both these cases certainly do not exceed the threshold of charges against abusers like Harvey Weinstein, neither are they inexcusable by any measure. A conversation remains to be had as to whether lumping men like Ansari and Franklin in with those like Weinstein is the best course of action in revising acceptable behaviors. While some argue that doing so is “cultural overcorrection,” others say that society is capable of not defining the whole of these actions as relative. Investigative journalist, Ronan Farrow, eloquently makes a critical point in this conversation: “I do think that it’s correct to distinguish between these kinds of violations and these kinds of behavior, but I would also just make a point: this whole conversation was under wraps for decades. There is so much pent-up anger and heartbreak and lack of accountability that I do think it’s understandable that it’s coming out in torrents right now.”
Almost inevitably, the #MeToo movement was going to face this very issue. The question of whether or not reentry into society for the guilty is possible is now being answered and the blueprints being set. What most women and defendants of #MeToo find ultimately frustrating is the idea of these men (or their supporters) wanting to be fully absolved of their wrongdoing. Too many perpetrators of sexual assault are victimizing themselves for having been outcast by society, rather than understanding the issue at hand and what the movement means. This kind of inability to understand the anger that women feel toward longstanding abuse of power and neglect of accountability makes it difficult to inspire any feelings of welcome to those who have been exiled. With more men seeking their own comebacks, navigating this topic will surely demand our attention.