By Tori Preston | Celebrity | December 18, 2017 |
By Tori Preston | Celebrity | December 18, 2017 |
It started on Saturday, with a tweet that Rose McGowan has since deleted:
Only it didn’t start there. Not really. It started with honesty, and bravery, and #MeToo-ery. It started with the silence breakers who just made it onto the cover of Time Magazine. In this new world order, we’re all agreed on what’s wrong (harassers and abusers), but it seems we’re not entirely on the same page about what’s right. How do we, as feminists, proceed? Now that we ARE speaking up and speaking out — what will we raise our voices about?
Rose McGowan has been one of the most vocal presences on social media, speaking up for accountability on behalf of her #rosearmy. But she puts her focus on the hypocrisy that has condoned the victimizers as much as the victimizers themselves, and that is where she can sometimes court controversy. Even earlier last week she came not only for Meryl, but for her Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano (another vocal #MeToo presence), who has spoken out in support of Harvey Weinstein’s estranged wife, Marchesa co-founder Georgina Chapman:
No, Meryl, IT’S A FUCKING CRIME. You are such a lie # ROSEARMY Meryl Streep on Harvey Weinstein allegations: It's 'the most gargantuan example of disrespect' - USA TODAY https://t.co/3E2oiCauME
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) December 8, 2017
You make me want to vomit. You actually gave me a body flashback. Well done, fake one - People https://t.co/XCdTWyp4dd
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) December 8, 2017
Alyssa, maybe you and Georgina can call up Camille Cosby
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) December 8, 2017
Though Rose has the support of multitudes, it seems she isn’t above criticism — even from her friends. This weekend Amber Tamblyn, another outspoken feminist, posted a Twitter thread addressing her feelings about Rose’s recent stances.
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
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
Our movement is big. And a black dress is just the beginning of the darkness that will be drained from every industry across the country by the time we’re done. That’s a promise.
— 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
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) December 17, 2017
Of course, this lead to more confrontations, with others including Asia Argento and ANOTHER Charmed actor, Holly Marie Combs, responding to Amber:
Asia, I did. I spoke to her for over an hour.
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) December 17, 2017
You just did to @rosemcgowan what you claim you don't support her doing to others. Every activist for every cause the world over has different methods but share a common and more important message that should remain the same. And undiluted above all else.
— Holly Marie Combs (@H_Combs) December 17, 2017
Her statement was public and hurtful to some women so a public response was earned. I spoke to her at length today, she knows how I feel. I love Rose fiercely, that will never change. To be critical of an action is not to condemn the person behind it. There’s your common message. https://t.co/zniyfPZzPT
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) December 17, 2017
The whole thread is interesting, with responders taking both sides of the issue. Where does taking a stand turn into bullying? How can we support each other while still finding healthy ways to disagree on the finer points of the issues? Amber’s message may have been what convinced Rose to remove her initial tweet, but this likely won’t be the last time we’ll see disagreements between people who ostensibly agree.