The latest addition to the list of sexual predators in Hollywood whose victims are coming forward is Kevin Spacey.
Sexual harassment lawsuits against Bill O’Reilly surfaced this spring and Fox News dropped his show after years of ignoring the millions of dollars he spent to silence his victims. Then, last month, “The New York Times” reported that Harvey Weinstein, a well-known film producer, was facing allegations of sexual misconduct.
These are times when political views have become identities. When someone mentions their ideology, we assume we know all about them. They must fit a certain mold, live a certain lifestyle and be a certain type of person. If they believe in the same things that we do, perfect. This must mean they are good, kind and educated. But if they don’t — then, they must be ignorant, bad or even stupid.
President Donald Trump’s recent decision to end DACA seems to show, above anything else, that he and those around him struggle to understand the perspective of those whose lives they are drastically changing. Empathy can be difficult, especially if the other person’s life seems too far away and separated from one’s own. Some feel as if immigrants are “other:” different people who share nothing in common with ordinary Americans. Today’s political situation does not help either: immigrants are depicted as terrorists and criminals rather than as people.
