[November 19, 2017] Scandal is Hollywood is not new; everyone knew about the sexual harassment and exploitation that occurred there. It was no secret. Now we find out from pianist James Rhodes, through a twitter post, that actress Maureen O’Hara called out this Hollywood sexism 72 years ago (see newspaper article).1 The Internet is alive with her railing against the forces of Hollywood and calling her brave for doing so
“I guess Hollywood won’t consider me as anything except a cold hunk of marble until I divorce my husband, give my baby away and get my name and photograph in all the newspapers. If that’s Hollywood’s idea of being a woman I’m ready to quit now.” – Maureen O’Hara, Irish-American actress, 1945 article in Irish Star Newspaper
This was, of course, not the first time she made it known that Hollywood was a sewer of sexual perversion, exploitation, and power. She was shut out from starring in films later in her career because of it. And while other, less morally circumspect women in Hollywood did little to dissuade the unwanted advances of film producers, actors, and directors, Maureen O’Hara stood among those most admired.
Some of those influential women are being identified; those who actually empowered the men are now the center of a storm of a scandal in Hollywood. The latest are Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinan, Megyn Kelly, and Barbara Walters.2 The question is, of course, “Why?” Why didn’t Fonda, et al, do something to denounce the sexual intimidation of women?
We know the answer. It still pays dividends to any woman who would look away and do nothing. In the case of Fonda, she also career advancement was much better in Hollywood when you are in the world press acting the part of a traitor or in some other way being anti-American. The lack of moral courage can get you fame and money; something many crave over everything else.
Maureen O’Hara was the exception to women like Fonda, Steinan, Kelly, and Walters. There are many others who lack privilege and power yet still step forward to let the world know about the abuses of power in Hollywood, in politics, and elsewhere but we don’t hear about them. Their stand is punished and yet we still glorify the famous.
Maureen O’Hara’s 2005 autobiography is also enlightening. I haven’t read it but others say it is worth the time … “Tis Herself.”
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- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5053871/How-Maureen-O-Hara-called-Hollywood-sexism-1945.html
- http://www.wnd.com/2017/11/the-latest-hillary-horror/?cat_orig=diversions