Gladiators Against Violence

There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

[lauraslittlespoon]

[lauriolpla]

The Gladiators Against Violence campaign is not obligatory. No one will put a gun to your head and make you join it. People were protesting against Olivia’s silence in the face of violence against her for months before the campaign started and they will continue to protest whether the campaign...

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

Thank you, Lauren. We appreciate your bipartisan thoughts on our campaign and addressing this in such a diplomatic manner. Keep up the great work! Oh, and we are two ladies but we appreciate keeping the inclusive thought that we COULD be men. (;

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

We have a lot of psychological studies with good evidence that television violence increases violence in real life by the viewers. As a psychologist, I plea with the sponsors of shows that are just increasing the level of violence from year to year to stop it. No wonder we are having teenagers shooting people in schools or stabbing them with knives. We must as a society see what we are doing to ourselves!

A psychologist from Kansas

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

The media have a key role in preventing, denouncing and ending violence against women and girls. Even in shows labeled 'fiction', any abuse against women, or any other individual or group, should not be tolerated. Audiovisual media have a great responsibility in this aspect and should take a leadership role in implementing a zero tolerance on the issue.

A New Yorker

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

This is not meant to attack anyone but I have read some of the comments of people saying how they don't want a show "promoting violence" or that they were affected by some of the things that happened on the show & are upset by the lack of actions. While I understand if people are that affected why don't people just not watch the show? I'm not saying I agree with the show, but since ABC, Scandal, Shonda are not the only to include violence without consequences why not just refuse to watch?

Hi Willajbabe, 

Thank you for your submission. 

We certainly did not view your question as an attack. Your question and comment was certainly valid and definitely in more minds than just yours. In fact, we have considered this ourselves. Many close friends and supporters have decided to denounce and no longer watch the show.

Yet, a supporter in New York (who we do not know personally) summarized the answer best: "The media have a key role in preventing, denouncing and ending violence against women and girls. Even in shows labeled 'fiction', any abuse against women, or any other individual or group, should not be tolerated. Audiovisual media have a great responsibility in this aspect and should take a leadership role in implementing a zero tolerance on the issue." 

We hope that this sufficiently answered your question. If you have any further questions, please, feel free to contact us. Thank you for civilly asking something that we had forgotten to include previously. We appreciate it.

All the best, GAV Staff 

[feministxbones]

Gladiators, Olivia Pope needs your help.  Gladiators Against Violence is now online. Join us there for updates!  Additionally, the link to the Change.Org petition telling ABC that we will not stand for the normalizing depiction of violence against women is  HERE No copyright infringement was intended; the poster is simply fan manipulation and editing to produce fan-made material. The photo of Olivia Pope is originally the property of ABC - we do not dispute this and give full credits to them. 

[cindersinrags]

This edit makes me feel very uncomfortable.

I hope that this is a genuine endeavour, because with all this kerfuffle, Shonda will have Fitz shoving Olivia against a wall in anger.

I’m calling it now.

[geekydorknyc]

Me too. I think this could backfire terribly. The intentions are good but everyone better be prepared for the consequences. There are hints in Shonda’s twitter responses to fans that she thinks this is an Olitz inspired campaign, that there was no outrage when Huck choked Olivia (there was). In other words, she’s saying fans who are upset about Jake choking Olivia are hypocrites. Watch her go about trying to prove her point when she has Fitz physically abuse Olivia next season.

The image is powerful but perhaps a rethink is in order. You don’t want unintended consequences.

[lauriolpla]

There are unintended consequences in every endeavor, so we can’t do nothing because we are worried about them.  Also, isn’t part of the reason for the campaign to go over Shonda’s head to ABC because they have different interests than Shonda so will be objective and realize that women from the ages of 21 - 75 complaining about Olivia being silenced is not for the sake of shipping wars? To be fair though, my interest in the show is currently due to my interest in the campaign, so for me getting ABC and Shonda to acknowledge their irresponsible behavior in silencing Olivia is more important than what happens on the show next season.  If they have Fitz shove Olivia against a wall, as long as they turn it into a PSA against domestic violence, I’ll be ok with it, though of course I would prefer an official acknowledgement of our concerns.

[baronessvondengler]

I don’t really get this irrational fear of “unintentional consequences”. If Shonda believes this anti-violence campaign is Olitz-inspired in some way and, as a response, has Fitz start manhandling Olivia, how does that change the campaign against violence? Violence will still be wrong regardless of the perpetrator. I’m not going to sit and watch Fitz smack Olivia around and suddenly change my mind about that because I like Fitz. Nor should anyone conceal their feelings about violence because it might affect our precious Olitz. In fact, her having Fitz do that will only underline the callous way violence is used on this show, especially if it goes unaddressed. I don’t see that as “backfiring” but rather falling into the trap.

[cindersinrags]

Which is why I hope it’s a genuine endeavour, because it will have to include addressing anything that Fitz does to Olivia that is ignored in future.

By rights they should also include the Fitz and Olivia elevator scene, because that was brushed over quickly. He apologised, but so quickly that many would have missed it. Also, if they are serious, they should include the times that Fitz invades Liv’s space even when she says no.

They can’t pick and choose what to highlight or else it really then seems like it’s a shipper thing, and they need to stay above the fray as it were.

[baronessvondengler]

Not sure what you’re referring to when you talk about picking and choosing what to highlight. From what I see this is a campaign against a show that has generally made light of violence against women but reached new lows in this respect in the past season. I don’t see that message being tailored to the Jake Ballard character in particular even if his choking of the lead character was the straw that broke the camel’s back for most.

[geejayeff-deactivated20180828]

So we better not make the Scandal writers angry or they might make Fitz do something bad? Is that what I’m reading? Well Fuck that!  I’m not going to pull my punches on violence against women.  I’m not fucking tip-toeing around what I think about the disgraceful escalation of violence against Olivia and her COMPLETE LACK OF RESPONSE TO THAT VIOLENCE because the writers may decide to make Fitz batter Olivia too. 

This is not about the goddamn characters. It’s about the shitty decisions the writers make regarding violence against women in general and black women in particular that’s the fucking problem.

The writers are making terribad decisions and are getting called out the same as the writers on Game of Thrones for their shitty rape scene or the writers of House of Cards for adding a shitty rape back story for Claire. Audiences call out problematic writing decisions ALL THE TIME. Scandal ain’t even special in that regards. So I have no idea why folks are so anxious about the whether this a “genuine endeavor” of the protests.

Speak out against violence against white women and you get heard. Speak out when the victim is black and suddenly your sincerity is questioned. Because apparently you must have an agenda for objecting to a black woman violently attacked for no reason other than shock value. Since not one attack against Olivia actually factored into the plot, had any ramifications beyond the moment or merited even a passing mention, it’s plain the violence was never about the story but was simply for spectacle. And I don’t need anyone questioning whether I’m for real because I’m disgusted by the way Olivia’s pain and fear is a disposable moment without consequence or consideration.

Good enough to film for shock, but not interesting enough to film for meaning.

[roguesenigma]

^^^^^^^^THIS and especially the bolded! And this is indicative of this society where there is a tremendous lack of empathy for the humanity of black women. This is a society in which our pain, hurt, and victimization is routinely dismissed and the Strong Black Woman trope abounds and literally ruins lives. This is a society in which a black woman like Marissa Alexander gets a 20-year sentence for defending herself against her abuser and another black woman like Renisha McBride gets shot in the head while seeking assistance after a car accident. These things do not occur in a vacuum. Our media (all forms of it) communicates and reinforces these ideas. On Scandal we have the most visible and famous black woman character on TV in decades, and she has suffered repeated acts of violence and not a single word is said about it on the show. It would be one thing all the violence towards women on Scandal was treated like this, but it’s only reserved for Olivia. We get to see a reaction to the violence inflicted on the white women on the show, but for Olivia it’s complete radio silence. Her pain, suffering, victimization, and humanity is completely unacknowledged and dismissed. Sound familiar? And I find it beyond insulting for someone to question my motives for being disgusted with this, especially if the questioning involves an alleged motive of preferring one white dude over another white dude. GTFOH with that bullshit!!!

Besides, the real reason for the questioning of motives is that folks want to silence this conversation. I wonder why?

[corinnestark]

I’m completely for pushing this. It’s a given that the writers will just respond with more fuckery, but at least you are getting your voice out there. Because this shit is not responsible and should be called out, no matter what. 

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

Hi Gladiators!  Thank you everyone who has commented, reblogged, liked, and taken a moment to participate in any way that you could. We appreciate all your support and are truly humbled. Recently, we released a mission statement which can be found on our homepage. This should clarify any questions you may have and we believe was more inclusive than before. Again, if you believe we missed anything or something needs to be clearer, feel free to let us know. If you send us a message that would be best because we can refer back to it and will not get lost in the reblogs.

Thank you again for all the support. Have a great day! Love, GAV Staff 

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

Mission and Position of #GladiatorsAgainstViolence:

It is the mission of #GladiatorsAgainstViolence to promote and bring attention to the unaddressed acts of violence against women as portrayed on ABC’s Scandal, and to raise awareness as to why addressing these acts - or never portraying them at all - is important. This violence has ranged from Olivia, to Mellie, to Quinn, and has primarily gone unaddressed in season 3, which is why our campaign has begun now. While we understand that Scandal, like many other examples of television programming, is and has the potential to be a violent show, it is our position that acts of violence, especially against women, should not go unaddressed. In lacking a character’s reaction and normalizing their experience, we begin to persuade viewers that this sort of behavior is casual and acceptable. Casual portrayal of violence without repercussion, whether formal or informal, is also disrespectful and trivializing to the real women that have suffered this violence. #GAV recognizes that there have been many acts of violence within Scandal, and not all perpetrated against women. However, our goal and focus is on those acts of violence that are treated casually or not addressed at all, and to bring light to the assertion that ABC and Scandal can do a better job of making sure that viewers understand that these acts are not acceptable, normal, or permissible. Our focus is solely on what we have understood as unaddressed. While we do not currently have a fixed solution to this problem, we are working to understand what can be done. It is not our goal to have Shonda Rhimes or other Scandal writers removed, and it is not our goal to remove Scandal from programming. It is also not our intent to ‘rewrite’ the show.  Rather, we would simply like to bring to attention the potentially unnoticed effects of their plot devices, and make sure that they, as well as ABC, understands - we do not support this portrayal. As of current time, we have a petition with 1500+ signatures on Change.org, it is being sent frequently to ABC. We are also attempting to organize other forms of addressing the problem. Any of the images used in this campaign are not intended to create discord, nor are they intended to infringe on any copyright. Words quoted from other users or supporters belong to those users and supporters - we simply thank them for contributing them. This campaign is not meant to personally attack any individual, and the words of our supporters are not our own - we cannot tell any individual how to respond and do not intend to try. Finally, we do not intend to debate or discuss any shipping preferences with other fans of the show.

In short, this campaign is about unaddressed and normalized violence against women on a television show that is largely consumed by women. It isn’t about the men involved. Period.

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

Since not one attack against Olivia actually factored into the plot, had any ramifications beyond the moment or merited even a passing mention, it’s plain the violence was never about the story but was simply for spectacle.

@geejayeff

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

To be fair though, my interest in the show is currently due to my interest in the campaign, so for me getting ABC and Shonda to acknowledge their irresponsible behavior in silencing Olivia is more important than what happens on the show next season.

lauriolpla

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

Because I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking that these images are real. It is not supposed to be like this for women in real life.

- A supporter, Mattapan MA

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

The entertainment industry - ABC in this case, should not continue to depict and imply that violence towards women is the status quo and tolerated.

A supporter, Hudson WI

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

Where were you all when Dominique-strauss-kahn was accused of raping, and a poor black woman trying to earn a living, and all the press could do was call her a whore. That is something worth fighting for.

There's a short answer and a long answer to your question. I'll give you both.

In short, Maya Angelou sums it up: "I'm convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they're stones that don't matter. As long as you're breathing, it's never too late to do some good." 

In long, we've gotten quite a few 'opinions' that have asked, "where were you when...". The answer is, I was alive, and that is all. Dampening, distorting, or otherwise pushing negativity into anyone's activism simply because they did not speak out earlier is not only entirely unproductive, it's stupid and insulting. There is never a point at which it is too late to speak against something that bothers you. Belittling a person because they have added their support into a cause at a later date is immature. To address all of the 'where were you when....s', you're correct. All of these offenses have occurred, and all of them are totally legitimate causes. However, just because I didn't speak against something then does not mean that my support and/or activism now is any less important. If that were true, generations upon generations of activism would be moot. 

In addition, we will no longer be answering this question, because it is offensive, belittling, and counterproductive. If you don't welcome newcomers to a cause, then your cause will become irrelevant, and your dedication to it is questionable. We welcome all. 

From now on, any questions regarding this blog are not allowed to come from anonymous sources. If you request that we do not reply to your post publicly, we will certainly honor that request. We will also only answer pertinent questions to this petition and cause. 

Thanks, GAV. 

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

It’s about accountability! I understand that Scandal is by no means the moral compass for the world, but violence against women is NEVER ok and it should NEVER be trivialized or romanticized.

A Floridian 

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

Women being treated violently is never OK. Eighty years ago a friend of my mother divorced the man who made the terrible mistake of beating her once. That was a society that expected her to "take it" because she DID marry him. No Way said she who went on to marry a decent, loving man who was never anything but loving and kind to her and their daughter.

A friend 

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

I have been a victim of rape, domestic violence and abuse. I will not watch any show that has these actions in them. I've never watched Scandal and now I never will. For ABC to endorse such behavior by making appear as though it's normal or alright irritates me very much. We shouldn't put it on the big or little screen and make it seem okay. It isn't, never has been and never will be.

A survivor, Las Vegas 

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

Profiting from this program is contributing to violence against women, no matter how you have cynically deluded yourselves, you producers and desperate actors who collude in this attack against civil society.

Dr. Anonymous, Retired Psychologist, Santa Fe, NM

[gladiatorsagainstviolence]

#GladitatorsAgainstViolence is important to me because...

Dear supporters, we would like you to add a brief sentence why our campaign is important to you. There are a few rules: keep it respectful, keep shipping preferences out and ignore opponents. This is a positive movement. So, #GladitorsAgainstViolence - why is this important to you?