The Truth About What Happened To Aziz Ansari
Published -
- January 12, 2019
- 1:00 am
Aziz Ansari’s public persona took a hit when an anonymous woman accused him of pressuring her into intimacy.
As think piece after think piece hit the Internet, the comedian retreated from the public eye. But he’s since been plotting his return to comedy.
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How did the woman involved in this situation fail to use her agency, according to the author?
The Truth About What Happened To Aziz Ansari
The #MeToo movement has brought forward a great deal of unresolved issues concerning sexual misconduct and harassment in the entertainment industry. This has amplified the voices of victims who have been silenced for far too long. However, as the exponential growth of social media continues to surge, so does the distortion of true facts.
Recently, Aziz Ansari, a beloved comedian and TV star, has been dragged into the #MeToo conversation, with accusations of sexual misconduct. The accusations were detailed in a piece by Babe.net, where a young woman, identified only as Grace, claimed that Ansari forced her into sexual activity during a date that took place in September 2017. The article went viral, sparking a heated debate among people about whether or not the comedian’s actions constitute sexual assault.
However, after reading and analyzing the article, there are several facts and nuances that need to be taken into account before a verdict can be made. First, it is important to clarify that the author of the article, Babe.net, has been accused of poor journalistic practices, including not engaging in fact-checking and small interviews with the accused or the accuser. Given these accusations, it is critical to review the report with a critical eye and an open mind.
The piece paints a picture of Ansari as a manipulative predator, who pushed Grace into having sexual activity with him despite her visibly uncomfortable behavior. While it is certainly true that men should not make advances on women who are not interested, Grace has failed to use her agency in this particular situation. She could have expressed her discomfort with Ansari’s behavior and said “no” at any point in time. Instead, she continued to engage in sexual activity with him until it became too much for her. Furthermore, the reporter also shared this narrative where Grace felt violated, but Ansari did not pick up on the non-verbal cues, and this resulted in the mixed signals from Grace which Ansari took as a sign of interest.
It is also worth noting that the woman involved was not in any way coerced or physically forced to have sexual activity with Aziz. The report alleges that he did not physically force himself on Grace, but instead kept pushing and cajoling her until she was too overwhelmed to resist. While this is certainly not the kind of behavior one expects from a gentleman, it should not be confused with sexual assault, sexual harassment or any offense that can cause permanent physical or psychological damage.
At the end of the day, it is important to recognize that the #MeToo movement is not about creating a witch hunt of individuals who may have made mistakes. Instead, it is about empowering victims of sexual harassment and assault who previously felt unheard and marginalized. While it is certainly true that Aziz Ansari’s behavior during his date with Grace was not ideal or respectful, it does not warrant the strongly-worded accusations against him. Misusing the #MeToo movement to target and defame individuals will only lead to the dilution of the purpose of the movement and its accompanying hashtag.
In conclusion, we should listen to women and investigate their accusations with an open mind. However, it is equally important to be mindful of basic journalistic standards and due process before forming opinions about the truth of the allegations. Accusations of misconduct, like those made against Aziz Ansari, require us to listen to both the accused and the accusing parties with the utmost care and attention. This will enable us to create an environment where victims’ voices are genuinely heard and given the attention they deserve.
