As Hollywood’s elite strutted down the red carpet at last night's Golden Globes Awards, (7 January) I’m sure the aura of protest and outrage was strong. Rumors started weeks ago that women would be wearing black dresses to protest the evil deeds of people like Harvey Weinstein.

Celebrities walked out in elaborate gowns and tuxedos that cost more than many people make in a year. They posed, twirled, flaunted, and smiled for thousands of pictures that are screaming around the internet today.

When they made their acceptance speeches they spoke of equality and fairness, a few made snide little comments about the lack of women nominated for awards.

They talked, but you will see little action.

Harvey Weinstein didn’t invent the casting couch

Everybody has heard of the alleged misdeeds of Harvey Weinstein. Once a powerful scion of the Hollywood movie industry, he is now the pariah of the entertainment world. I would like to believe he was sent packing, that somebody gave him the stereotypical “You’ll never work in this town again” line, but something tells me that if he comes up with a good idea and the right amount of money, he’ll be back again.

After all, Hollywood has consistently posed Roman Polanski as a victim of the state after he had sex with a 13-year-old girl and then fled to France to avoid prosecution. At the time, he was 44 and an award-winning director.

The #metoo problem in Hollywood wasn’t invented by Harvey Weinstein. It existed in the ‘90’s, 80’s, and 70’s. Actually, it goes back to the invention of the movie studio. In fact, the term “casting couch” came out of Hollywood, probably because it sounded better than “rape.”

It’s not brave to speak out when you have nothing to lose

It’s easy for celebrities to speak out against the casting couch once they have hit the top.

They all knew about it, tolerated it, and some may have even gone along with it when they were young and struggling. None of them said a thing because they knew their careers would be ruined if they did. They placed their desire for fame and money above their core values - if they had any that extended beyond their wallets and mirrors.

So, now that they are at the top of their profession, they feel safe enough to speak their minds. They feel they are beyond the reach of the power spectrum. But it’s too late now, by reaching the top while ignoring the institutional abuse and degradation of their peers and even themselves, they have lost their “skin in the game.”

This speech means nothing without action.

What could, but won’t, be done

If Hollywood celebrities really wanted to send a message that they were done with their industry’s sexual abuse problem they could take a very bold step.

Here’s an idea, don’t go to the 2018 Academy Awards. I know, that sounds outlandish, but it only sounds outlandish because they would never actually boycott themselves.

But imagine, what if just 40 percent of the producers, directors, actors, and actresses didn’t go to their industry’s top awards show? There might be some grumbling but only good could come out of such a consolidated show of force. The celebrities who didn’t show would gain more publicity than those who did show. Their “brand” would either rise or remain relatively unaffected, and none of them would lose a dime.

The plus side would be the world would finally see them as people of conviction, people who are actually willing to risk something for their core values.

The movie industry would have to take a pause for introspection.

There is little chance of this happening though because all of the top celebrities have benefited greatly from the system they claim to be protesting. So, nothing will change in Hollywood. In a year or two, everything will return to normal and the status quo will reign.
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