The #MeToo movement: Why Now?: The bravery of women sharing their stories, cultural shift towards believing victims, and evidence against perpetrators fueled the #MeToo movement. Israel Horovitz case illustrates the impact of these factors.
The #MeToo movement gained momentum due to a combination of factors, including the bravery of women coming forward with their stories, a cultural shift towards believing and validating these stories, and the accumulation of evidence against perpetrators. The case of Israel Horovitz illustrates this, as he was accused of sexual misconduct in 2016 and faced serious consequences, despite similar accusations being made against him 24 years earlier. This episode of Hidden Brain explores why the world is finally taking these accusations seriously and what has changed. Jocelyn Minehart's story of being offered a playwriting fellowship by Horovitz in the late 1980s, only to be sexually assaulted, is a powerful reminder of the long-term impact of such behavior and the importance of believing and supporting victims.
Lack of resources and support during traumatic experiences can lead to silence: Victims of trauma need access to resources and support to speak up and challenge the belief that silence is the best option.
The lack of resources and support during a traumatic experience can lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, and the belief that speaking up would cause more harm than good. Jocelyn's story illustrates this as she was sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend's father and felt trapped due to the absence of cell phones, Uber's, and Google Maps. She chose to endure the situation rather than reporting it, believing that speaking up would result in shame and the loss of opportunities. This experience was further complicated by the fact that the Gloucester Stage Company was producing a play about rape, written by the perpetrator. Jocelyn's story highlights the importance of having resources and support during traumatic experiences, as well as the need to challenge the belief that victims should endure in silence.
Silence around abusive behaviors perpetuates harm: People stay silent about abusive behaviors due to fear of repercussions, allowing harmful situations to continue. Humor can be a way to voice truths while maintaining plausible deniability.
People, including those in positions of power, often stay silent about abusive behaviors, even when they want to speak up. This can be due to fear of repercussions, ranging from social ostracism to physical harm. The discussion referenced the play "The Indian Widow," where the protagonist expresses her exhaustion and exasperation over being objectified, and the real-life allegations against playwright Israel Horovitz. The silence around such behaviors can perpetuate harmful situations, as seen in the case of Harvey Weinstein's sexual misconduct, which was an open secret in Hollywood for decades. Timor Kuran's concept of preference falsification highlights the dangers of openly expressing views that clash with the prevailing currents. Humor can be a way to voice truths while maintaining plausible deniability.
The power of jokes and written words to expose hidden injustices: Courage and persistence in investigating workplace harassment, even when faced with resistance, can lead to uncovering hidden injustices and bringing about change.
Jokes can serve as a vehicle for expressing truths about societal issues, allowing individuals to express dissent without taking full ownership. However, it takes courage for someone to investigate and bring those truths to light, especially when it comes to sexual harassment and power dynamics in the workplace. The anonymously penned letter that Bill Marks received in 1993 served as a cry for help from women being harassed at the Gloucester Stage Company. Despite feeling unprepared, Bill felt compelled to investigate and uncover the truth, facing resistance from the women involved due to fear of repercussions. Ultimately, his investigation led to the exposure of Israel Horowitz's inappropriate behavior, demonstrating the power of persistence and the written word in bringing hidden injustices to light.
Sexual harassment in the theater industry: Women faced uncomfortable and inappropriate situations due to power imbalance with Israel, leading to sexual harassment. Despite discomfort, they continued to work due to limited opportunities.
The power dynamic between Israel and the women in the theater was imbalanced, leading to uncomfortable and inappropriate situations. Laura Crook, one of the women, shared her experience of being sexually harassed by Israel despite the warnings from other women. They met in his apartment, and during their encounter, Israel made unwanted advances towards her. She tried to avoid being alone with him by implementing a buddy system with another woman. Israel also disliked red lipstick, which the women used as a signal to each other. Despite the uncomfortable environment, Laura continued to work there due to the limited opportunities available in the industry.
The experiences of women who spoke out against Israel Horowitz in the 1990s illustrate why the Me Too movement didn't gain traction.: Women faced a culture of disbelief and silence when speaking out against sexual harassment in the 1990s, making it difficult for others to come forward and report abuse.
The experiences of Laura Crook and other women who spoke out against theater director Israel Horowitz in the 1990s illustrate why the Me Too movement didn't gain significant traction at that time. The women faced a culture of disbelief and silence, with some even losing their jobs or facing disparagement for speaking out. This social proof, as psychologists call it, made it difficult for other women to come forward and report sexual harassment. The case of Horowitz also shows how difficult it was for women to be believed and for consequences to follow when they did speak out. Despite the number of women who came forward with similar stories, nothing seemed to change. This history serves as a reminder of the importance of believing women and creating a culture where speaking out about harassment and abuse is met with support and action.
The sudden shift in social norms can break the code of silence for victims of sexual harassment and assault.: Social norms and fear of preference falsification can silence victims for years, but a shift in societal attitudes can empower them to speak out.
Social norms and the fear of preference falsification can keep victims of sexual harassment and assault silent for decades. However, as seen in the story of Maya Armancins, these norms can suddenly shift, leading to a breaking of the code of silence. Maya's experiences with Israel Horovitz began when she was just 11 years old, with him acting as a mentor and confidant. However, when she was going through a difficult time in her late teens, he offered her a project to produce his plays, which gave her a sense of purpose and focus. This offer came at a time when she was considering whether she had the abilities to direct others, but she ultimately decided to take on the challenge. The sudden shift in social norms, likely influenced by the Me Too movement, allowed Maya to come forward and share her story, demonstrating how the science of social norms and preference falsification can explain the sudden crumbling of a code of silence.
Setting Boundaries and Respecting Consent: Maya's experience with Israel highlights the importance of setting boundaries, being true to oneself, and the need for open communication, respect, and consent in all relationships.
Consent is essential in any professional or personal interaction. Maya's experience with Israel highlights the importance of setting boundaries and being true to oneself. Israel's inappropriate behavior towards Maya, despite her clear resistance and discomfort, demonstrates a lack of respect for her person and professional aspirations. Maya's reaction, feeling self-conscious and nervous, shows how societal norms and power dynamics can impact one's ability to assert themselves. Ultimately, Maya's story underscores the need for open communication, respect, and consent in all relationships.
The power of speaking up and connecting with others can lead to change: Speaking up about abuse and connecting with others can lead to significant change, even if initial efforts are ignored. Social media can amplify the whisper network and empower women to refuse silence.
Silence and protection of abusers can last for decades, but the power of speaking up and connecting with others can lead to change. Maya's experience with Israel Horovitz, a playwright she had known for years, inspired her to share her story and expose his past misconduct. However, her initial efforts to warn others went unheeded. The situation changed when a tape surfaced of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump making crude comments about women, which resonated with Maya's experience and made her feel validated. Empowered, she reopened her Facebook post and named Horovitz as her abuser. Her actions sparked others, like Yana, to speak up as well. This shows that the whisper network, when amplified through social media, can become a powerful force for change, especially when women support each other and refuse to be silenced.
Horizontal Violence in the #MeToo Movement: The #MeToo movement saw a surge in momentum after Trump's election, leading to horizontal violence against perpetrators within women's circles, and the sudden fall of once untouchable individuals.
The #MeToo movement gained significant momentum after the election of Donald Trump due to the frustration and impatience of women who felt powerless against more powerful perpetrators. This phenomenon, known as horizontal violence or horizontal action, involves targeting individuals within one's own circle instead of those in positions of power. The delay in addressing sexual harassment allegations against Israel Horowitz in 1993 led to a great deal of regret and sadness among those affected. The theory of preference falsification, which describes how regimes can be blinded to their citizens' growing dissatisfaction, can also be applied to the #MeToo movement. The movement's impact was unexpected and sudden, with the tide turning against perpetrators who once seemed untouchable.
Powerful figures face consequences for sexual misconduct allegations: The conversation around sexual misconduct has evolved, and individuals are now held accountable for their actions, regardless of their position or influence.
Even those in positions of power and influence are facing consequences for past sexual misconduct allegations. In the case of Israel Horowitz, despite his denial and attempts to minimize the situation, multiple accusations have led to public scrutiny and backlash. The conversation around consent and accountability continues to evolve, and the social proof has shifted to hold individuals responsible for their actions. In the play "The Widow's Blind Date," Horowitz's words reveal a disturbing attitude towards sexual violence against women, and his attempts to downplay the gravity of the situation only add to the controversy. The conversation around sexual misconduct is no longer one-sided, and those accused must face the consequences of their actions.
Unsung Hero: Turana Burke and the Me Too Movement: Turana Burke, the woman behind the Me Too Movement, is an unsung hero whose contributions have significantly impacted the conversation around sexual harassment and assault. The podcast team highlighted her story, reminding us of the many individuals making a difference behind the scenes.
Turana Burke, who started the Me Too movement 20 years before the hashtag gained popularity, is a prime example of such a hero. While millions now know about the movement, few know about the woman behind it. The podcast team, including Jenny Schmidt, Maggie Penman, Pat Shah, Tara Boyle, Raina Cohen, Thomas Liu, Laura Quirrell, Kamala Vargas Drestrepo, and various guests, worked together to shed light on Turana Burke's contributions. This week's unsung hero segment serves as a reminder that there are many individuals making a difference behind the scenes, and their stories are worth sharing.
Why Now?
Recent Episodes from Hidden Brain
You 2.0: Fighting Despair
Every morning, you wake up and face the world. What does it look like to you? Do you see a paradise of endless opportunities, where people are friendly and helpful? Or a world filled with injustice, where people cannot be trusted? In the final installment of this year's You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist Jamil Zaki about how we become disillusioned and distrustful of the world, and how to balance realism with hope.
Did you miss any of the other episodes in the You 2.0 series? Make sure to give them a listen here or on our website:
- You 2.0: The Gift of Other People
- You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time
- You 2.0: How To Say No
- You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less
And if you like today's conversation with Jamil Zaki, be sure to check out our earlier conversation with him, "The Empathy Gym."
You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less
It happens to the best of us — we blank on someone's name, or forget an important meeting, or bomb a test we thought we'd ace. In this week's installment of our You 2.0 series, we talk to cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham about the mysteries of memory: how it works, why it fails us, and how to build memories that stick.
For more of our You 2.0 series, listen to our episode on how to say no.
You 2.0: How To Say No
Saying no to someone who asks for something is often easier said than done. Maybe it's a boss who wants you to take on a new assignment. Or your kid's teacher, seeking volunteers for a field trip. Or a friend who asks you to lend her money. How should we respond to these demands on our time, energy, and resources? This week, psychologist Vanessa Patrick explores why it's so hard to say no, and how we can set boundaries that will make it easier to do so.
If you haven't yet caught the first two episodes in this year's You 2.0 series, you can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website:
You 2.0: The Gift of Other People
You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time
Thanks for listening!
You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time
Many of us feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. We struggle to make time for all the competing demands at work and at home, and inevitably feel like we're letting someone down. But what if there were a way to reclaim our time and, as a result, get more joy out of our lives? In the second episode of this year's You 2.0 series, psychologist Cassie Mogilner Holmes explains how we've fallen victim to the illusion of time scarcity, and what we can do to spend our time more wisely.
If you enjoy today's episode, check out last week's kick-off to our series, "You 2.0: The Gift of Other People."
You 2.0: The Gift of Other People
Are you someone who strikes up a conversation with the person next to you on the train? Or do you keep your eyes fixed on your phone? Do you offer gratitude to friends and family? Or do you assume that they already know how you feel? This week, in the kickoff to our annual You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist Nicholas Epley about our interactions with other people, and how we can make them more rewarding.
If you enjoy today's episode, check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes:
You're Not the Boss of Me!
Whether in your personal life or at work, you've probably experienced what it’s like to have people reject your requests. To be told that what you want is unfair, or heavy-handed. And you've likely been in the opposite position as well — pushing back against requests that step on your freedom. This week, we talk to psychologist Benjamin Rosenberg about how we respond to infringements on our sense of autonomy, and how we can avoid sparking this resistance in our interactions with other people.
If you know someone who would like today's episode, please share it with them! And if you enjoy our show, please consider trying a free seven-day trial of our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+. If you use an iPhone, you can sign up at apple.co/hiddenbrain. If you use an Android device, you can find Hidden Brain+ at support.hiddenbrain.org. Thanks for listening!
The Cure for Self-Importance
When we meet new people, we’re often drawn to those with a commanding presence or a dazzling personality. But it turns out that a very different trait — humility — is important in the long term. This week, in the first of a two-part discussion, we talk with psychologist Daryl Van Tongeren about different kinds of humility, and how this overlooked quality can play a powerful role in workplace dynamics and romantic relationships.
If you like today's episode, be sure to check out part two of our conversation, exclusively for Hidden Brain+ listeners. We talk with Daryl Van Tongeren about existential humility — being open to the idea we might be wrong about life's biggest unknowns. It's the episode called "Asking the Big Questions." To listen to Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial, go to apple.co/hiddenbrain or support.hiddenbrain.org.
Where Truth Lies
When we think about misinformation, we often focus on blatant errors or deliberate attempts to deceive us. But in recent years, social scientists have found that misinformation comes in many flavors — many of which are far more subtle than obvious falsehoods. These forms of misinformation prey on our mental blindspots, and take advantage of our passions and loyalties. This week, economist Alex Edmans explores the many insidious forms of misinformation, and how we can all get better at separating fact from fiction.
For more of our work, please consider joining our podcast subscription. Hidden Brain+ is where you’ll find exclusive interviews and deeper dives into the ideas we explore on the show. You can try Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial at apple.co/hiddenbrain. Or if you’re an Android user, sign up at support.hiddenbrain.org.
How To Be Alone
We're always told to reach for that next ring, work that third job, go to that boisterous party after a long day at work. You only live once ... right? But psychologist Netta Weinstein says that when we constantly engage in achievement and distraction, we lose something essential about ourselves. This week, she makes a case for solitude, and examines what happens when we seek a quieter, more reflective interior life.
If you like today's episode, check out our two-part series on mindfulness:
Changing Our Mental Maps
As we move through the world, It's easy to imagine we're processing everything that happens around us and then deciding how to respond. But psychologist and neuroscientist Norman Farb says our brains actually navigate the world by coming up with mental maps. These maps act like an autopilot system, allowing us to navigate our lives more efficiently. But sometimes, they can lead us astray, leaving us stuck on a path of negativity and unhappiness. This week, we talk with Norman Farb about how we can update our internal maps and see the world more clearly.
If you like this episode, be sure to check out part two of our chat with Norman Farb for Hidden Brain+. That episode is called "Making Sense." You can try Hidden Brain+ for free with a seven-day trial by going to support.hiddenbrain.org or apple.co/hiddenbrain.
Related Episodes
Harasshole with Lisa Bowman
For decades, women generally kept quiet about sexual harassment in the workplace.
But since the inception of the #MeToo movement, women have been encouraged to speak up. The movement emboldened a lot of women to use their voices which led to more stories to this day.
Our special guest, Lisa Bowman, a workplace sexual harassment survivor, recalls her own experience with her “harasshole”.
In today’s episode, Lisa is sharing:
- What led her to write the book, Harasshole
- Why it’s hard to speak up against sexual harassment
- The fear of speaking up and what causes them
- What it’s like speaking up for the first time
- The details of her experience with her harasshole
- What is a harasshole?
- How to deal with your harasshole in the workplace and the two important things you need to do
- The things you shouldn’t do when it comes to HR and the systems the company put in place
- Why sexual harassment is primarily about power
- How her book can help you
Lisa is the former global Chief Marketing Officer of United Way Worldwide. She was terminated from her role in January of 2020 in retaliation for reporting sexual harassment of herself and others by a peer on the Executive Team.
As a female leader, Lisa felt that to stay silent was to be complicit in condoning this and providing a path forward for this behavior to continue. She went public with her story via HuffPost in November of 2020 fueling significant media coverage that subsequently led to the resignation of United Way’s long-standing CEO on February 9, 2021.
Lisa authored the book, Harasshole: A Cautionary Tale of My Time at “America’s Favorite Charity” where she narrates her allegations of harassment and retaliation that eventually resulted in her termination.
Lisa has become one of the latest public faces of #MeToo.
If you like this episode or has been helpful to you, share it with the people you know and on Instagram and tag us, we are @nisarlaw and Lisa is @harasshole_book.
Links Mentioned:
- (Book) Harasshole: A Cautionary Tale of My Time at “America’s Favorite Charity”
- (Article) United Way Accused Of Retaliation Against Women Employees
Connect with Lisa Bowman:
- Website
- Instgram - @harasshole_book
- Twitter - @harasshole
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Sexual Harassment in 2021 with Susan Antilla
In the 1990s and early 2000s, a flurry of high-profile lawsuits against financial firms put the issue of sexual harassment front and center.
In this episode, we talk to our special guest, Susan Antilla, who had front-row seat to those legal battles, including the class-action lawsuit filed against Wall Street’s Smith Barney.
Susan Antilla is an award-winning investigative journalist who has been a columnist at The New York Times, Bloomberg, TheStreet, and USA Today. She has also been a reporting fellow at the non-profit newsroom Type Investigations.
She is the author of the #MeToo book about sexual harassment on Wall Street: Tales from the Boom-Boom Room: The Landmark Legal Battles That Exposed Wall Street's Shocking Culture of Sexual Harassment.
Join us in this episode to find out how stories like this impact us today and what you need to do when you're caught in the middle of this kind of litigation.
Listen to this episode and discover:
01:23 - The History Behind the Book - Tales from the Boom-Boom Room: Women vs. Wall Street
10:00 - The Reason Behind Mandatory Arbitration Clauses and Non-Disclosures
11:41 - Sexual Harassment Then and Now: What Changed?
13:48 - Women are Speaking Up About Sexual Harassment at Work
15:16 - Sexual Harassment During The COVID-19 Pandemic
17:44 - The Challenges and the Effects of Speaking Up
21:07 - The Stigma and Discrimination of Speaking Up
26:32 - The Negative Consequences of Eliminating NDAs
31:58 - Playing By The Rules and Advocating For Yourself at Work
Resources:
- Tales from the Boom-Boom Room: Women vs. Wall Street (book) - http://susanantilla.com/the-book/
- 25 years after the 'Boom Boom Room' lawsuit, Wall Street still has a long way to go - https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/27/perspectives/boom-boom-room-lawsuit-wall-street/index.html
Connect with Susan Antilla:
- Website - http://susanantilla.com/
- Facebook - @SusanAntillaJournalist
- Twitter - @antillaview
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanantilla/
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https://bit.ly/WorkplaceJusticeGroup
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Connect with Nisar Law Group:
- Website: https://www.nisarlaw.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nisarlawpc/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nisarlaw/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nisarlaw
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mahirnisar
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discriminationlawyer
Need help? Call 212-600-9534 for a free case evaluation.
Secrets To A Successful Life - PDF
Deep Cover RCMP
Garry Clement had a hell of a career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police! Really fun conversation with lots of insight to how the RCMP fights crime in the great white north!
Retired RCMP police officer with 30 years experience and former Chief of Police with 4 years experience. Financial crime expert with combined 50 years experience. Author of just released best selling book: Undercover, In the Shady World of Organized Crime and the RCMP.
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How to survive in this hash world and prosper
Episode 62 in the series – - My mission for Family.
Topic: How to survive in this hash world and prosper
Timeless Principles Useful For Both Romance and Finance
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