Margaret Atwood criticized the #MeToo movement, and fans aren’t here for it
The #MeToo movement has shined a much-needed spotlight on the issues of sexual harassment and assault in our society. But as the #MeToo movement continues to grow, so does the criticism, unfortunately. Margaret Atwood is the latest person of note to express skepticism about #MeToo. The Handmaid’s Tale author wrote an essay called “Am I a bad feminist?” which was published to Canadian news site The Globe and Mail on Saturday, January 13th.
“The #MeToo moment is a symptom of a broken legal system,” Margaret Atwood wrote in the essay. “All too frequently, women and other sexual-abuse complainants couldn’t get a fair hearing through institutions – including corporate structures – so they used a new tool: the internet. Stars fell from the skies. This has been very effective, and has been seen as a massive wake-up call. But what next? The legal system can be fixed, or our society could dispose of it. Institutions, corporations and workplaces can houseclean, or they can expect more stars to fall, and also a lot of asteroids.”
Basically, Atwood believes that while the #MeToo movement has been powerful, it undermines the legal system and puts it at risk.
Margaret Atwood also discussed the “guilty because accused” nature of the #MeToo movement.
She said that “vigilante justice” like this can inspire a “lynch-mob habit” that threatens legal structures. But many think that this belief, in a way, undermines the importance of believing women and victims.
After Atwood’s essay was published, many people tweeted their disappointment.
In which @margaretatwood likens #MeToo to the Reign of Terror, Stalinism, the Dirty War, the Mafia, and a few more. It's about how she's a good feminist. https://t.co/wyPhnVNxhc
— Jesse Brown (@JesseBrown) January 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/952223352164356096
I've seen THE THINKPIECE.
I'm tired.
1. Still not a fucking witch hunt.
2. Atwood hasn't a CLUE about what dealing with assault at UBC is really like, or dealing with administration and institutional silencing even while trying to create change. Ask me how I know.
3. I'm tired.— Lu Lorenzi (she/they) (@empathywarrior) January 13, 2018
Author Roxane Gay, who wrote the popular essay collection titled Bad Feminist, also responded. false
Margaret Atwood herself responded to some of the criticism.
I have been listening for approx 60 years. Endorsing basic human rights for everyone is not warring against women. In order to have rights for women you have to have rights, period. Me being a blood-drinking monster does not make that untrue.
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) January 14, 2018
Taking a break from being Supreme Being Goddess, omniscient, omnipotent, and responsible for all ills. Sorry I have failed the world so far on gender equality. Maybe stop trying? Will be back later. (Next incarnation maybe.)
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) January 14, 2018
And in the midst of all this, Atwood also tweeted an article written by a man who has even more criticism for #MeToo. It didn’t go over well.
Andrew Sullivan: It’s Time to Resist the Excesses of #MeToo https://t.co/d82aYnQGHr via @intelligencer
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) January 13, 2018
Atwood followed up by saying that her sharing the article was not necessarily an endorsement. Nonetheless, fans still seem disappointed that she would elevate that writer’s voice.
Retweeting is not endorsing. I assume people can read for themselves and make up their own minds. Surely we need to be aware of all points of view? https://t.co/UMdTVeS6sj
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) January 14, 2018
I'm not defensive or angry. This is a point of view that's out there. Should I only Retweet things I agree with 100%? If so I'll be sending a lot about #=octopuses and #plasticfree … https://t.co/k6zy5whfWQ
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) January 14, 2018
Hopefully, we can all continue to work together to support those who have spoken out as part of #MeToo.
