Another institution is making moves to stand up against sexual harassment amidst the Harvey Weinstein scandal. This time, Harvard University has announced that it will be rescinding the Du Bois Medal the Weinstein Company co-founder won back in 2014.
Variety reports that a majority of the members of the Executive Committee of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, most of which are Harvard University professors, voted to take back the medal the former Weinstein Company head was awarded. In a statement, the committee said that it supports the women that risked professional alienation by coming forward for all the victims of sexual harassment.
The W.E.B. Du Bois medal is known as the highest honor in Harvard University given to individuals and groups for their contributions to the advancement of African and African American culture. Given since 2000, previous awardees include poet Maya Angelou, professional boxer Muhammad Ali, director Ava DuVernay and TV producers Shonda Rhimes and Oprah Winfrey.
The executive committee of the Harvard University body is composed of professors: director Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Emmanuel Akyeampong, Lawrence D. Bobo, William Julius Wilson and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham.
This is not the first time an institution has rescinded a previous award because of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The University of Buffalo, the New York state university Weinstein graduated from, is currently processing to revoke the honorary SUNY Doctorate of Humane Letters it gave the ex-studio head in 2000.
France, with the help of President Emmanuel Macron, will also be rescinding his Legion of Honor.
But most notable about the Harvey Weinstein scandal is the fact that even those from his own industry are denouncing him. The Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America have already expelled him.
Several studios and television networks with projects that bear a contribution from Weinstein also removed his name from the credits.
Weinstein in Arizona
Since the Harvey Weinstein scandal erupted, multiple women, including megastars like Angelina Jolie and Lena Headey, have come forward to say that they too were sexually harassed by Weinstein.
But, it looks like Weinstein is confident that people will eventually forget the controversy.
An insider tells E! News that the “Good Will Hunting” executive producer is not in Europe for rehabilitation as previously thought. Instead, he is receiving treatment and counseling in an inpatient facility in Arizona. It is said that Weinstein is still interested in making movies and he is positive that he can eventually return to producing.
The Weinstein Company previously sacked their former CEO a few days after the story blew. Weinstein also resigned from the company’s Board of Directors.
Crackdown of sexual harassment
The Harvey Weinstein scandal has jolted the entire world to the reality of sexual harassment.
According to ABC Australia, a bill was introduced in the legislature, making the catcalling of women in streets a fineable offense. This comes as a few French personalities including former Bond star Lea Seydoux stepped forward as being one of the victims.
