A woman's account of feeling sexually 'violated' by comedian Aziz Ansari has sparked the first big debate around the #MeToo movement
Getty
- An anonymous woman accused comedian Aziz Ansari of continually trying to have sex with her after a date in September 2017, though "she used verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how uncomfortable and distressed" she was, according to a report in the publication Babe.
- Ansari said in a statement that from his perspective all indications were that the encounter was "completely consensual."
- The report sparked a lot of controversy over the weekend after The Atlantic and The New York Times published op-eds in defense of Ansari.
- Babe also got some criticism for publishing the account, but the editor-in-chief defended its decision.
Over the weekend, the publication Babe ran a detailed report featuring a claim, from an anonymous woman, that Golden Globe and Emmy winner Aziz Ansari repeatedly tried to get her to have sex with him, though "she used verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how uncomfortable and distressed" she was. The account has since gone viral and drawn op-eds from major publications including The New York Times and The Atlantic, which have gotten both criticism and support for their defense of Ansari.
The story, titled "I went on a date with Aziz Ansari. It turned into the worst night of my life," is written in the third person, though the title suggests it's written in the first. The woman, a 23-year-old photographer, told Babe that Ansari continually tried to have sex with her, even though she gave cues she wasn't interested. She said that when she left the encounter she "felt violated" and used the term "sexual assault."
Ansari said in a statement that from his point of view, all indications were that the encounter was "completely consensual."
The 34-year-old comedian, who wore a "Time's Up" pin at the Golden Globes (where he won for best actor in a comedy series for his work on "Master of None"), has received praise for his support of women in the past. One specific area of praise was for a season two episode of "Master of None," which shows the aftermath of sexual harassment allegations surfacing online. In the episode, Ansari's character is shocked to find out his colleague and friend was capable of such behavior.
A lot has happened since the Ansari story surfaced on Saturday - from support of Ansari to debate over whether his actions constitute "sexual assault" - so we collected everything you need to know about it here.
- People intolerant of other religions are more likely to reject science, study asserts
- 7 reasons why cucumber can be your summer weight loss friend
- 8 refreshing kulfis you must try this summer
- Adani Enterprises Q4 net falls 37%; incubating businesses show strong momentum
- India, New Zealand hold Joint Trade Committee meeting to deepen relations
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market