Here’s a clip from last night’s Jim Jefferies Show, where Jefferies recaps the Harvey Weinstein scandal and points out that the issue isn’t just about Weinstein, and it isn’t an issue that’s partisan – it’s an issue that all men need to address and take responsibility for. Thankfully, Jefferies went on to practice what he preached and offered up a candid reflection about how “incredibly ignorant” he and other men have been “about what’s happening right underneath our noses”:
Now, I’ve been known to make the occasional inappropriate or sexist joke. My act is what you’d call an acquired taste. But I’ve always believed that my audience understood that those are jokes and don’t represent my actual beliefs. Then came the day when a large part of America was willing to write off pussy-grabbing as “locker room talk,” and I started to rethink that. And if this latest news has made me realize anything, it’s that we as men have been incredibly ignorant about what’s happening right underneath our noses. The women who are now sharing their painful experiences are some of the richest, most powerful, and beloved women in the country, and if they’re fearful of speaking out, just imagine how hard it must be for every other woman in the world. I was stupid to think that people like Harvey Weinstein were rare. Look at your Twitter and Facebook feeds this week and you’ll see women sharing their own stories using the hashtag #MeToo. Chances are that every woman you know has experienced harassment or worse. I thought I was a pretty good guy, what with all the not raping I’ve done, but it turns out that’s not enough. It’s a start, but it’s not enough. We need to create a culture where women feel safe coming forward about their experiences, and when they do, we need to hear them. Every week on this show I say “I think we can do better.” I know I can.