Ever since the #MeToo movement gained momentum, a lot of celebrities have spoken up about it, both make and female. And it’s safe to say, both sides have had some major foot-in-mouth moments that came with severe backlash.
ME TOO.
If all the women who have been sexually harassed wrote "Me too" as a status, we might give people a sense of the problem#metoo
— Shenaz Treasury (@ShenazTreasury) October 16, 2017
Remember when the actress who started #MeToo, Alyssa Milano, schooled Matt Damon on sexual harassment over one of his interviews? And the time 100 influential French women were criticised for calling France’s own #MeToo movement, #Balancetonporc, a threat to men’s sexual freedom?
What instances like these suggest is that the actual essence of what #MeToo stands for may be a little too complex and therefore a little elusive to grasp.
And Superman Henry Cavill has been the recent addition to the list of celebs who’ve managed to get on the wrong side of the debate somehow.
The Mission Impossible: Fallout star has been facing a lot of hate on social media for his comments about the #MeToo movement.
Cavill seems to have told a leading men’s magazine that he’s afraid of flirting with women these days for the fear of being called ‘a rapist’.
Talking to GQ Australia, Henry Cavill mentions how the old fashion of ‘men chasing women’ has become risky business thanks to the #MeToo movement making it difficult for men to approach women.
He allegedly goes on to say that he would rather not go up to unknown women and talk to them from the fear of being called a rapist or something. Instead, he’d seek out a familiar ex instead, because it would be safer.
Cavill’s sentiments, as expressed here, echo those of several reports and claims which state that #MeToo has turned into a ‘witch hut’ of sorts. Men are claiming to be afraid to even work with women or approach them for a little harmless flirting from the fear of being misconstrued and persecuted for it wrongly.
But Cavill’s remarks have already done major damage in that several women are calling the actor out for his gross misunderstanding of what the movement stands for.
A thread by Twitter user @HelenRPrice is at the centre of his discussion….
This is absurd. If Henry Cavill doesn’t want to be called a rapist then all he has to do is… not rape anyone.
The mental gymnastics some men are doing to position themselves as “victims” of #MeToo is insane. pic.twitter.com/nafnZiaXGH
— Helen Price (@HelenRPrice) July 11, 2018
No point whining, these are just the consequences of what has been done before.
If you’re approaching women in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, then YOU need to change your behavior, instead of whining about how some men are now facing consequences for serial harassment and assault.
— Helen Price (@HelenRPrice) July 11, 2018
If you don’t know the difference, you have a bigger problem to solve.
Stop trying to derail the conversation by claiming #MeToo wants to “stop men ever talking to women” or some bullshit. If you don’t know the difference between politely asking someone out and sexually harassing them, you have a serious problem.
— Helen Price (@HelenRPrice) July 11, 2018
Helen’s thread has garnered major support from across Twitter.
Ridiculous takeaway from #MeToo movement!
Brilliant thread by @HelenRPrice. What a fucking ridiculous statement from Henry Cavill and obviously very telling of his own takeaway of the #MeToo movement. The tone of exhaustion he cuts, disgusting, and the stats are terrifying, and ultimately what the true focus should be. https://t.co/xlGyGwweK4
— Charlie McEwan (@CharMcew) July 12, 2018
Conversations with Henry Cavill be like…
Urm, conversations with Henry Cavill seem intense: ‘Well, I don’t want to go up and talk to her, because I’m going to be called a rapist or something’ #WTFsuperman https://t.co/vvwP1QIgk3
— Jonathan Blades (@JonathanRBlades) July 12, 2018
Please stay away from dating, Henry Cavill. Thanks.
https://twitter.com/MildlyAmused/status/1017104780194451456
There’s a difference!
If you can't tell the difference between welcome flirting and harassment/assault, you have a big problem.
— Rachel Molnar (@Rachel_Mol) July 11, 2018
Women also trashed Cavill’s statement about ‘men chasing women’ being wonderful and all.
Today it’s Henry Cavill with “I believe women should be chased”
When did the notion that being chased is a *pleasant* feeling become so universally accepted? pic.twitter.com/z6kQnCzVrF
— Grace Petrie (@gracepetrie) July 12, 2018
I wish (these types of) men were afraid of overstepping the mark with expressing romantic interest. They’re not afraid of “being thought of” as rapists. They’re unnerved that we are moving to a culture of equal footing in romantic relationships and the old script being thrown out
— Grace Petrie (@gracepetrie) July 12, 2018
However, this #MeToo vs. Superman debate is not one-sided. There are many people, a majority of them women, who maintain that Cavill’s words are being twisted and he, wrongfully criticised.
According to them, what Cavill is actually trying to say here is that he respects women when they say ‘no’.
Y'all Henry Cavill said that he backs off the second a woman says no because if you choose to pursue after that it's sexual assault. Now y'all are just twisting his words damn.
— 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒑𝒂 (@waschkexwolff) July 11, 2018
Cavill, just like a lot of men lately, is legit afraid of being exploited.
https://twitter.com/TheOldSchoolGM/status/1017433808684142592
Some are even pointing out that by misunderstanding and falsely persecuting Cavill for his remarks, we’re actually proving him right: his fear of being misunderstood proved correct here!
https://twitter.com/DCDownUnder/status/1017386788535480321
Overreactions, that’s what they are.
I'm a female and I understand why Henry Cavill may feel afraid to approach women in this day. And your overreactions are basically proving him right..
— Clau Kent (@stargazer0118) July 12, 2018
While the debate seems to be pretty much balanced on both sides and reaching an impasse, Henry Cavill has gone ahead and done the only sane thing to do in such an explosive situation—apologise.
The actor issued an official statement, apologising for any hurt sentiments and clarifying his intentions.
Statement by Henry Cavill: Having seen the reaction to an article in particular about my feelings on dating and the #metoo movement, I just wanted to apologize for any confusion and misunderstanding that this may have created. Insensitivity was absolutely not my intention.
— Dany Garcia (@DanyGarciaCo) July 12, 2018
In light of this I would just like to clarify and confirm to all that I have always and will continue to hold women in the highest of regard, no matter the type of relationship whether it be friendship, professional, or a significant other.
— Dany Garcia (@DanyGarciaCo) July 12, 2018
He alluded to how his original remarks might have been lost in editorial translation….
Never would I intend to disrespect in any way, shape or form. This experience has taught me a valuable lesson as to the context and the nuance of editorial liberties.
— Dany Garcia (@DanyGarciaCo) July 12, 2018
… and ended with an assurance that he wholeheartedly supports the cause.
I look forward to clarifying my position in the future towards a subject that it so vitally important and in which I wholeheartedly support. – Henry Cavill
— Dany Garcia (@DanyGarciaCo) July 12, 2018
These are indeed tricky paths that we’re navigating. But Superman Henry Cavill seems to have managed a narrow save from what could’ve been his kryptonite.