Germaine Greer criticises ‘whingeing’ #MeToo campaigners
Feminist says actresses ‘spreading legs’ for roles is ‘tantamount to consent’
Germaine Greer has criticised the Hollywood #MeToo movement, saying actresses should stop “whingeing” about sexual harassment if they allowed contact in exchange for a film role.
The outspoken Australian feminist also says she wants to see women react to sexual harassment by taking direct and immediate action, because in the “old days” women were not afraid to “slap down” men who leered at them.
Greer, 78, allegedly made her controversial comments in an interview ahead of a ceremony in London on Saturday, at which she was named Australian of the Year. Speaking about the recent Hollywood sex abuse scandal, she reportedly told Fairfax Media: “What makes it different is when the man has economic power, as Harvey Weinstein has. But if you spread your legs because he said ‘be nice to me and I’ll give you a job in a movie’ then I’m afraid that’s tantamount to consent, and it’s too late now to start whingeing about that.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The outburst has met with criticism.
The Sydney Morning Herald columnist Natalie Reilly claims Greer is out of touch, saying: “It’s not that her views are outrageous (this is hardly news). But that her motivation, once high-minded, is now, in 2018, obsolete.”
“Perhaps Germaine Greer should pause to check her privilege,” says the Herald Sun’s Wendy Tuohy.
“Greer was presumably assigned the privilege of becoming Australian of the Year off the back of her decades-old brand as a women’s rights warrior. It’s sad to think that maybe that, too, is historical,” Tuohy adds.
The Independent notes that this isn’t the first time Greer’s comments have landed her in hot water: her beliefs about transgender women have also been questioned.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Best music albums: new releases of 2024
The Week Recommends A round-up of the best pop, dance, indie, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Senegal's Bassirou Diomaye Faye: from prison to Africa's youngest elected leader
Why everyone's talking about The 44-year-old has promised to shake up the establishment and enact economic reforms
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How social media is limiting political content
The Explainer Critics say Meta's 'extraordinary move' to have less politics in users' feeds could be 'actively muzzling civic action'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: the next James Bond?
Talking Point Kick-Ass star has reportedly been offered the 007 role and he has plenty of admirers
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The Master and Margarita: the new adaptation causing consternation at the Kremlin
Why Everyone's Talking About Pro-Putin groups have called for the film's director to be charged as a terrorist
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
The new 'boom' in Latin American fiction
Why everyone's talking about Almost a quarter of International Booker Prize longlist comes from South America, a region in turmoil
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A former 'Star Wars' actor is at the center of a Disney free speech lawsuit
Under the Radar Gina Carano is suing the Mouse House to try to get her job back on 'The Mandalorian'
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Poonam Pandey: the Indian model who faked her own death
Why Everyone's Talking About The Bollywood star has a reputation for outlandish stunts
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Is the 'Mean Girls' movie musical a glorious revisitation or the worst idea in forever?
Talking Point Every critic feels some kinda way about the reboot
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
40 years of 'The Color Purple' backlash
Under the Radar Beloved and decried, the novel and films have always struck a nerve
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Gerard Depardieu: France takes sides over disgraced actor
Why everyone's talking about Despite numerous accusations many prominent people, including President Macron, have rallied to actor's cause
By The Week UK Published