Earlier this week Matt Damon raised some eyebrows with his comments on the current reckoning of sexual harassment allegations taking down what were once seemingly untouchable figures in media and politics. Damon, who of course has connections to Harvey Weinstein, sat down with Peter Travers and tried to compare what he called a “spectrum of behavior” — which of course exists, but it was the way he presented his thoughts that came off as unfortunate.
“I do believe that there’s a spectrum of behavior. And we’re going to have to figure — you know, there’s a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right? Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated without question, but they shouldn’t be conflated, right?”
Many rightfully called Damon out for his ‘mansplainey sentiments, and on Friday Alyssa Milano, who helped spearhead the #MeToo movement, sounded off on Twitter to point out the problematic nature of Damon’s response. “Dear Matt Damon,” she started off in a six-part tweet. “It’s the micro that makes the macro.” The actress went on to share her own experiences to point out how this behavior, on any point of the spectrum, is hurtful and damaging to women.
Dear Matt Damon,
It’s the micro that makes the macro.
(Thread)
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 16, 2017
We are in a “culture of outrage” because the magnitude of rage is, in fact, overtly outrageous. And it is righteous.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 16, 2017
I have been a victim of each component of the sexual assault spectrum of which you speak. They all hurt. And they are all connected to a patriarchy intertwined with normalized, accepted–even welcomed– misogyny.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 16, 2017
We are not outraged because someone grabbed our asses in a picture. We are outraged because we were made to feel this was normal. We are outraged because we have been gaslighted. We are outraged because we were silenced for so long.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 16, 2017
There are different stages of cancer. Some more treatable than others. But it’s still cancer.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 16, 2017
Sexual harassment, misconduct, assault and violence is a systemic disease. The tumor is being cut out right now with no anesthesia. Please send flowers. #MeToo
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 16, 2017
Likewise, Minnie Driver caught wind of Damon’s remarks and also had a few things to say. She pointed out how all too often it comes off as tone deaf when men sound off about rape and harassment culture.
God God, SERIOUSLY? https://t.co/NDZFrLDXil
— Minnie Driver TICKLESS WONDER (@driverminnie) December 15, 2017
Gosh it’s so *interesting how men with all these opinions about women’s differentiation between sexual misconduct, assault and rape reveal themselves to be utterly tone deaf and as a result, systemically part of the problem( *profoundly unsurprising)
— Minnie Driver TICKLESS WONDER (@driverminnie) December 15, 2017
Matt Damon hasn’t yet followed up on his comments, but with any hope, he’ll choose his words more carefully next time.