Modern Family star Sarah Hyland is receiving a great deal of criticism for her post-Golden Globes Instagram video, where she acts drunk (she's sober) and flirts with an old male bellhop, who catches her when she falls after trying to exit the elevator. Under the video is the caption, "2018 starting off great. Tip #1: When you drink alone. Drink alone w/ #JohntheBellHop @instylemagazine #goldenglobes party." She later defended herself, posting, "#JohntheBellHop is a very nice old man. FYI. 'completely sober'." Before going any further, you can watch the clip here - http://www.thisisinsider.com/sarah-hyland-controversial-golden-globes-after-party-instagram-video-2018-1
The video received the following responses:
- "Counterintuitive"
- "Wow I'm shocked this is still up given the whole times up movement. Doesn't look good."
- "Not sending a strong message."
- "Repulsive"
- "'When you drink alone. Drink alone w/ #JohntheBellHop' goes against the idea of someone in that state being able to consent to any actions that would occur around them."
- "Really? In this climate? You show a young girl - drunk and falling into the arms of a an older man as doors close to give her no escape? Tone deaf much?"
- "Why is she allowing a man to touch her inappropriately is this not going against what the night stands for"
- "Perhaps not the greatest clip to show for #timesupnow dude was a bit handsy"
- "Just bad timing, considering the msg they're trying to get across tonight."
"It's a pity that the clip ended that way instead of her just leaving the elevator. It just wasn't the right night for this humour unfortunately."
As I've noted previously, I'm a member of the #MeToo movement. I've been subject to sexual abuse, harassment, and assault. In saying that, though, I think those who are criticizing the video the strongest need to step back, take a deep breath, and realize there is no need to overanalyze and dissect this video as being more than it actually is. No, I didn't find the clip to be especially funny. Chances are it was one of those videos which is only funny to its participants (or funniest to them). However, while I didn't find it to be funny, I think it's beyond ridiculous to claim it's glorifying rape culture, as some have alleged.
In an odd way, I think those criticizing this video are being unintentionally sexist and victim-shaming/blaming. In the video, Sarah Hyland depicts herself as being trusting of this elderly bellhop man. What is wrong with being trusting of a person, generally speaking? Can we not trust anyone when alcohol is in our system or when we're alone with them in an elevator? Why is the responsibility on Ms. Hyland's shoulders to not drink alone with an elderly male bellhop, as opposed to the man to have a conscience and not violate a woman regardless of her blood alcohol level? No, it might not be the wisest decision in the world to get intoxicated around people you don't trust, but rape victims, whether they were drunk or sober at the time, are still the victims, and no one deserves such horrific traumatizing criminal treatment. The question shouldn't be, "Why was Sarah Hyland so tone-deaf to create and post this video?;" it should be, "Why do many of us still blame drunken women more for sexual crimes against them than the men who committed said crimes?" Was Sarah Hyland's video humorous? In my opinion, no. But did it glorify rape culture in any way? Give me a f**king break...
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sarah-hyland-controversial-golden-globes-video
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