On tonight’s South Asia spotlight, APEX Express producer Preeti Mangala Shekar revisits the much discussed, shared and re-shared #MeToo campaign, but through a disturbing incident from last year, involving “feminist” ally and media personality Aziz Ansari. On the heels of a report detailing the account of a young photographer’s date with Ansari, which quickly degenerated into a harrowing night for her, social media has exploded with both self-proclaimed feminists and others critiquing both parties. But are there two sides? Or just a culture of violence that is trying to pass as normal and routine?
We ask:
- What does this incident (and the way people responded to it) tell us about the culture of violence and silence we live in?
- How do we hold our male, feminist allies accountable?
- What are the uncomfortable gaps in our understanding of complex ideas around “consent,” that incidents like these prompt us to unlearn and learn?
- How can we erase toxic misogyny and patriarchy and proactively build the world we want to live in – of authentic consent and freedom for all bodies to explore their desire and sexuality without stigma, fear of violence, or judgement?
- How can nuanced feminist analyses translate to lived reality?
Join the discussion on tonight’s South Asia Feminist Special where we also feature commentaries on this issue by a range of South Asian feminists from the Bay Area and beyond.