1) “The Abuses of Power” by Ronan Farrow
In his book Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates writes: “Perhaps there has been, at some point in history, some great power whose elevation was exempt from the violent exploitation of other human bodies. If there has been, I have yet to discover it” (8). This quote leads me to consider that all three units of our class show evidence of exploitation of the human body. #MeToo shows the exploitation (and even torture) of the female body.
As we read and discuss the Ronan Farrow article “The Abuses of Power,” let’s consider power. As I’ve mentioned previously, I invite everyone to consider what power is, how power works, and how power intersects with the human body. Does all power have to do with how various human bodies –in the case of #MeToo, the female body–are treated/mistreated?
Specific to the work environment, how do you think the power imbalance establishes itself? Do all the people involved in the imbalance have a part to play in that imbalance? If so, what are those parts? Why don’t people simply walk away from the powerful people who exploit them? Or are they maybe not conscious of the imbalance? Is power balance synonymous with quid pro quo sexual harassment?
Let’s discuss power dynamics here. What are the abuses of power Ronan Farrow is talking about?
2) After you have read about the “culture of complicity” on the #MeToo Cornerstone Concepts sheet, describe your understanding of this term. Write two paragraphs about two different examples of culture of complicity that you find in either “Abuses of Power” by Ronan Farrow or in the Frontline: Weinstein video. Write in detail, and explain fully why these are examples of culture of complicity.
Answer 2 number Questions from this two-sheet
3)
Go to youtube and search “Abuses of Power” by Ronan Farrow: Overview then watch this video and then talk about “Abuses of Power,” including key terms found in the article by Ronan Farrow
Answer 3 number questions from the youtube video.
