TRANSPARENT: Blacked out by Golden Globes
In support of the empowerment of women and the #TimesUp movement, television shows that had any sexual harassment allegations were entirely banned from participating in this years Golden Globes. Which on the surface seems like a step in the right direction. Except when examined closer, it is actually a step back to the 1950’s Blacklist.
Show creator Jill Soloway and her almost entire female/transgendered writing and directing staff were exclusively banned from the awards show. Not only was this completely broad in its washing of the system, they literally dismissed the hard work of the other 300+ crew members that worked on this show because of one actors alleged misconduct.
No matter how true or horrid these allegations may be, the last time I checked film and TV was a team effort. It has never been one actor or one director that creates the entire medium. It takes every crewmember on and off set to create the look and feel, and to ultimately hone in on a shows main theme.
Ironically Transparent’s main theme is of acceptance and equality: accepting gender, sexuality, and even past transgressions. It even dives deeper into tackling newfound territory like polyamorous relationships and ethnocentrism in its 4th and now possible last season due to the backlash of the allegation and the tidal wave of pressure coming from this movement.
A movement I consider to be blinded because it cannot see the cannibalization of their fellow female writer/directors that sat sidelined during this year’s Golden Globes. In the spirit of equality, they ban the one show that symbolizes just that. Made for women, by women, and unable to participate because of women’s empowerment. How equal is that? How empowering is it that they give this one male actor the power to negate the work of these talented women?