An open letter to anyone who loves Anthony Bourdain and what he stood for

[yallerdawg]

Long tradition of blaming 'the women.' (see Genesis: Eve). Time'sUp!

Source: L.A. Times


On June 8, we lost a rare, great man. Anthony Bourdain was a lightning rod of cultural connectivity. He brought disparate, marginalized people together and made the unknown accessible — some of the many gifts that made Anthony such a valuable presence in our collective lives, whether we knew him or not. An unwavering supporter of women and the #MeToo movement, Bourdain’s loss was a tragedy on so many levels, to so many people who saw him as a beacon of a new way of being. We share that grief and deepest sadness for his family and those closest to him whose pain must be unimaginable.

One of the most vocal and unwavering figures in the #MeToo movement has been Asia Argento. At the center of our community, Asia has stood, her fist in the air, fighting daily not just for justice for those of us she has come to know, but for abused people the world over.

Asia has now found herself on the receiving end of vicious cyberbullying and repulsive slander at the hands of internet trolls who hold her responsible for Anthony’s death. She has been accused of everything from causing her boyfriend’s suicide to trying to use her “survivor status” and the #MeToo movement to advance her career.

There has long been a traditional narrative of blaming, vilifying and martyring courageous women. We reject that narrative. If there is one thing we know with unwavering confidence, “sexual violence victim” is not a title anyone wants attached to themselves. Being known as a sexual assault victim isn’t a badge of honor or career booster; it’s a highly difficult, sometimes traumatizing and humiliating experience. All of us who have taken the risk of coming forward — and it is truly a risk to us, our reputations, relationships and mental health — have faced harsh criticism and often outright anger and hatred online, in our respective communities and, for some, within our own families. Yet we come forward in the hope that we can change things for others and end the sexual violence and abuse that has flourished with impunity for millennia.

*****

Read the rest at: http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-ol-bourdain-argento-metoo-open-letter-20180712-htmlstory.html#


You KNOW what Bourdain would have to say to these neanderthals who blame the victims:

[betsuni]

1. Anyone blaming Asia is an idiot who doesn't know Anthony or anything about adult life.

[Wounded Bear]

2. There is certainly no shortage of idiots in the world...

[betsuni]

3. Sorry, what do you mean?

[Wounded Bear]

4. Was supporting your assertion...

there are far too many idiots in the world, and they tend to come up with evil and harmful ideas, like claiming they know who "killed" Mr Bourdain and why.

Certainly did not mean to imply that you are an idiot.

[betsuni]

5. Thank you.

Actually, I am an idiot but I still have common sense. That's the difference.

[Wounded Bear]

6. Now you're just trolling for compliments...

And I'm supplying gratuitous clicks to keep this thread alive.