#MeToo, Now What?

Examine the structures that created #MeToo. The panel exposes hidden cultural biases as related to patriarchy, equal pay, corporate culture, leadership, legal reforms and individual behavior and considers what¹s necessary for transformative change.

ROC United founder Saru Jayaraman notes that historically any progress made on race in this country has come via a combination of both cultural awareness and new laws that forced people to change. Transformative change in response to the #MeToo movement will require an iterative process of laws being passed and policy being implemented to force some people who will not change without a push.

Host Zainab Salbi talks with attorney Nancy Erika Smith about how HR works for the owners of the company and represents their interests. She believes that for sexual harassment cases, an independent investigator is necessary for due process.

See how mainstream cultural norms in media, gaming and pornography have created an overtly sexualized and objectified image of women and examine this impact on social norms and the behavior of men and women.

Have you been in a meeting where you witnessed a sexist comment and stayed silent? Many of us have. Coming up on #MeToo, Now What?: Our panel discusses the past and reflects on what we need to consider in the future.

Think #MeToo is only a woman’s issue? Check out what a gaming expert is saying about how games portray women’s images and the impact it may have on our children. Coming up on #MeToo, Now What?

Dr. Michael Kimmel, John Fugelsang and Mychal Dyson Smith talk about the cost of speaking out — and not speaking out — when a friend engages in locker room talk. The men discuss how remaining silent is a type of assent and that men need to have these difficult conversations in order to affect change.

Has the #MeToo movement gone too far? Find out why some progressive and conservative men think it has, while others are calling for men to step-up and reexamine the cultural meaning of masculinity and manhood.

Host Zainab Salbi shares a story from a woman she met in her travels across America talking to women and men about #MeToo. In this episode, an all-male panel reacts to her story and talk about what behavior is right and what is wrong; the long-held ideas they have had about masculinity, sex and power; and the changes they’d like to see come out of the movement.

This week, in an exclusive interview with Caroline, who many years ago was horribly groped by Devin Faraci, an influential film critic who committed the act, we explore how each experienced the assault and came to grips with it afterwards. Tune in or stream Friday, Feb. 9 at 8:30/7:30c

Caroline recalls what Devin said to her when he made amends and asked for forgiveness for what he did to her. She talks about restorative justice and the work she feels he needs to do next within his community to truly make things right.

Host Zainab Salbi asks Caroline how she responds to people who say that it happened so long ago and she should just let it go. Caroline explains that something that happened many years ago can still be affecting you and speaking out was an important release for her.

Caroline talks about the intense anger she carried with her for many years and how Buddhism helped her to release that anger and, ultimately, to forgive Devin. She emphasizes that everyone has a different path and must deal with their pain in the way that works best for them. But for her, compassion helped her to work through her anger and her pain.

Devin says that after being accused of sexual assault, he felt an overwhelming shame and subsequently went into recovery. He also talks about why he thinks men need to accept responsibility for sexual abuses of the past and why apology isn’t enough.

Before the 2016 election, Devin Faraci posted a tweet about then-candidate Trump’s “Access Hollywood” tape and was surprised when someone tweeted back at him accusing him of doing the same thing many years ago.

Devin tells host Zainab Salbi about what it was like to call Caroline and ask her to forgive him. He also talks about why he decided to speak publicly about his experience.

Join executive producer/host Zainab Salbi and a range of guests for open, authentic conversations about sexual harassment. Women and men discuss how we reached this point and how we can effect positive and lasting change. Join the conversation with #MeTooOnPBS.

The guests talk about the response of men thus far and what they would like to see men do in order for this to be a transformative movement. They should start by listening and really hearing what women are saying. Writer Ijeoma Oluo says that it might be painful for men to hear echoes of their own behavior in these conversations, but they need to “toughen up” and change their behavior.

The guests talk about the ways in which women have been punished in the past for speaking out about sexual harassment and toxic work environments. They point out that if you’re not a celebrity with economic security and a team of lawyers behind you, the price for speaking out may be too high. How can we work interdependently to improve the safety of workplaces for all women?

Women’s sexuality has long been commodified and commercialized. And there have been rewards for women when they use their sexuality in the workplace. Do we give mixed messages when women use their sexuality to advance their career?