You know that White privilege and Hollywood privilege are very real concepts when an average White man can casually walk up and grope the genitals of a massive Black man like actor Terry Crews — and knows he does not have to fear any physical retaliation from Crews whatsoever.
In the aftermath of Hollywood powerhouse Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault scandal that has rocked the entertainment industry to its core, Crews said he finally summoned the intestinal fortitude to admit publicly that he was sexually assaulted by a male Hollywood executive — and right in front of his wife, at that.
Weinstein is the brainchild behind Miramax and Weinstein film studios that produced Oscar-winning blockbusters as Pulp Fiction, Sex Lies and Videotape, The Crying Game and Shakespeare in Love. Weinstein was fired from the film company he founded after he was accused of serial sexual assaults over several decades. His accusers included the likes of Academy Award winners Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd as well as Patricia Arquette.
Crews, the Next Friday and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star, broke it down on Twitter Tuesday, detailing the assault at an industry party he attended sometime last year with his wife, Rebecca King-Crews.
“This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME,” Crews began. “My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high-level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates.”
Read the entirety of Crews’ poignant and cathartic statement below:
Terry Crews opens up about his experience with sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood. This is why telling these stories is important. pic.twitter.com/Dv2UCwUDLD
— Katie Barnes (@katie_barnes3) October 10, 2017
This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk. (3/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. (4/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
“240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho” would be the headline the next day. (5/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Only I probably wouldn’t have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left.
(6/cont.)— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
That night and the next day I talked to everyone I knew that worked with him about what happened. (7/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
He called me the next day with an apology but never really explained why he did what he did. (8/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn’t want 2b ostracized— par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence. (9/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. (10/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Who’s going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No)(11/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I love what I do. But it’s a shame and the height of disappointment when someone tries to takes advantage of that. (12/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
He knows who he is. But sumtimes Uhav2 wait & compare notes w/ others who’ve been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength. (13cont)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator. (14/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hollywood is not the only business we’re this happens, and to the casualties of this behavior— you are not alone. (15/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless. (16/end)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
