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This weekend, activist Rose McGowan took to Twitter to call out those who are planning a “protest” at the Golden Globes next month. After calling out Meryl Streep (and others) over their decision to protest sexual misconduct in Hollywood by wearing black, some fans weren’t happy with the TIME “Silence Breaker.” But, her call-out, whether or not fans of Streep liked it, made a point worth paying attention to, even if it came in a gruff package.
The “silent” Globes protest will be participated in by the women attending the show, who have agreed to wear black as a way to show support for women affected by the seemingly rampant sexism and abuse in Hollywood. McGowan responded on Twitter, saying (among other things), “actresses, like Meryl Streep, who happily worked for [Weinstein], are wearing black @GoldenGlobes in silent protest. YOUR SILENCE is THE problem. You’ll accept a fake award and breathlessly affect [sic] no real change. I despise your hypocrisy.”
McGowan also sarcastically suggested that maybe the actresses should just show up to the awards in Marchesa gowns (Marchesa being the label co-founded by Harvey Weinstein’s wife, Georgina Chapman). As a result, many were understandably upset with her attack on women in Hollywood.
But the tweets (which have since been deleted), do make a good point. What McGowan was trying to say was that still showing up at the awards at all removes any of the gravity surrounding the protest at all. Protests, arguably, aren’t about showing up and supporting the status quo; they’re about uncomfortable conversations, disruptions, and bold statements. But as others are pointing out, attacking other women for doing their best can’t be considered the most progressive, either.
THREAD: Rose McGowan is a friend and while I support her kind of movement, I do not support any woman (or man) shaming or taunting the movements of other women who are trying to create change. Telling us to all wear Marchesa? This is beneath you, Rose.
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) December 17, 2017
McGowan’s friend, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress Amber Tamblyn, was among those to take issue with McGowan’s tirade. Tamblyn took her disagreement with the Grindhouse star to Twitter herself, laying out why so many found McGowan’s now-deleted tweets unsettling.
“Rose McGowan is a friend and while I support her kind of movement, I do not support any woman (or man) shaming or taunting the movements of other women who are trying to create change. Telling us to all wear Marchesa? This is beneath you, Rose,” the star tweeted.
You don’t have to support and stand with us, but we stand and support you. You may take below the belt shots at us but we will not take them at you in return.
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) December 17, 2017
An activist in her own right, Tamblyn continued her thread, saying, “You don’t have to support and stand with us, but we stand and support you. You may take below the belt shots at us but we will not take them at you in return.” She went on to explain that the actresses participating in all-black Golden Globes protests aren’t trying to pat themselves on the back or effect change overnight; it’s just the start of a new movement in Hollywood. She ends on a positive note.
And we stand together in this fight, shoulder to shoulder, weapon to weapon, woman to woman (and man), body to burned body. And our arms are open. And our hearts two fold. And our fire will be a universal scorch. Heed the mantra: #ChangeIsComing
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) December 17, 2017
“And we stand together in this fight, shoulder to shoulder, weapon to weapon, woman to woman (and man), body to burned body. And our arms are open. And our hearts two-fold. And our fire will be a universal scorch. Heed the mantra: #ChangeIsComing”
McGowan has moved on from her initial Saturday accusations, going back to tweeting support for women coming forward in the wake of assault allegations, and Streep has yet to comment on the now-deleted call out.
What do you think of Rose McGowan’s GG’s rant? Tell us @BritandCo!
(Photo via Michael Tullberg/Getty)
