Mayim Bialik, one of the stars of the popular sitcom "The Big Bang Theory," attracted sharp criticism on Saturday over an op-ed she wrote for The New York Times about the multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment made against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
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'The Big Bang Theory' star's op-ed about Harvey Weinstein sparks outrage on Twitter
Critics slammed Bialik for appearing to insinuate that modesty and downplaying one's appearance can guard against sexual assault.
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Bialik wrote that although she was "shocked and disgusted" by the accusations against Weinstein, she was not surprised by them.
"
Mayim Bialik missed the per... @ Ines Helene
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"I have decided that my sex... @ wikipedia brown
Sad it still needs to be sa... @ Irin Carmon
I don't even know where to ... @ Alana Massey-cre
Really want to again congra... @ Amanda Duarte
In which @missmayim essenti... @ Lucy
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Several observers pointed out that Bialik had glossed over the fact that the central motive behind sexual assault and harassment is power, not sexual desire.
"As a proud feminist with little desire to diet, get plastic surgery or hire a personal trainer, I have almost no personal experience with men asking me to meeting in their hotel rooms," she wrote. "Those of us in Hollywood who don't represent an impossible standard of beauty have the 'luxury' of being overlooked and, in many cases, ignored by men in power unless we can make them money."
Bialik's comments drew sustained criticism from those who said she was demonizing women based on their attractiveness and implying that they invited sexual harassment because of their looks. Several observers pointed out that a woman's appearance often has little to do with whether or not she experiences harassment.
@missmayim Do you know how ... @ Ijeoma Oluo
@missmayim Mayim Bialik is ... @ wikipedia brown
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"I have to say I was dressed non provocatively at 12 walking home from school when men masturbated at me," tweeted actress Patricia Arquette. "It's not the clothes."
.@missmayim I have to say I... @ Patricia Arquette
Um. Is she earnestly compla... @ Zo#emo#
"I dress modestly. I don#emo#t ... @ Amanda Duarte
Bialik's op-ed came on the heels of designer Donna Karan's comments last weekend about whether women today are "asking for it" based on how they dress and their behavior.
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Dozens of women, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie,have now stepped forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct to varying degrees.
Most of the alleged encounters detail "business meetings" that occurred in Weinstein's hotel suites that turned into scenes of sexual harassment or assault. These accusations stretch back as far as the 1980s and include a variety of film industry figures, including actresses, assistants, and other employees.
After the stories broke, Weinstein was fired from the Weinstein Company, which he co-founded.
Michelle Mark contributed reporting.
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