In issues like sexual assault, rape, harassment, intimidation, etc. they are most often labeled as battles that women have. Men victims of these issues are often ignored or silenced. Yet it does happen to men, and we need to start treating their cases as seriously as women's cases. Terry Crews is an example of one man's case we need to give respect to and support.
This past Tuesday the actor Terry Crews, famously known for his role in 'Everybody Hates Chris', spoke at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights. He shared his sexual assault story that occurred in October of 2016 where a Hollywood talent agent assaulted him at an industry party where Crews and his wife attended.
Crews story is a prime example of toxic masculinity and rape culture in the US today. Crews stated,
People on social media and even rapper 50-Cent made light of Crews assault with an Instagram post he later deleted.
The backlash that Terry Crews is receiving is an absolute example of why sexual assault victims struggle with reaching out, especially minority sexual assault victims. Sexual assault, rape, harassment can happen to anyone, no matter shape size or color. It does not discriminate and because of this we should not discriminate/discredit the victim's story.
Just because Terry Crews is a muscular, successful, black man, does not mean he is safe from assault. No one is safe from assault. Crews were asked because of his size why didn't he fight back? He didn't because he would just be another violent black man to end up behind bars. Crews made a powerful statement that resonates with this,
Those that criticized Crews situation shared one keyword, "weak". That he was lesser of a man if he did not fight back and attack against who was threatening him. Terry Crews is not weak for not fighting back. Sexual assault is not always strictly a physical restraint, it can be mental as well. Sometimes the victim can feel as if they can't fight back for outside reasons. In Crews' case, he would lose everything he worked for if he fought back.
Because as a black man in America, it is a stereotype or expected of them to become violent and aggressive. This almost always results in this man ending up behind bars or dead. A man is not emasculated or labeled as 'weak' for not immediately becoming aggressive and resisting. A man is not emasculated or labeled as 'weak' for even sharing his story.
This is all toxic masculinity speaking out. That a man must bottle everything up and immediately become physical when threatened. This is unhealthy and a sign of insecurity within oneself. This also promotes rape culture. That his story 'isn't real' or he could have prevented it so easily if he would have just done … just like every other victim of rape or sexual assault.
Terry Crews story is just as important as any other victim of sexual assault story. We should not make fun of his situation or call him lesser names because of his reaction. Instead, we should thank him for standing with the #MeToo victims and support him for sharing his story. We need more men like Terry Crews recognizing and speaking out against toxic masculinity in this world.
