Sarah Silverman Noticed Her Provocative Pictures in Mammogram Story Coverage
We can do better internet.
Sarah Silverman recently underwent a horrible experience at her mammogram check-up. The doctor seemed to do more than just a check-up. He engaged in inappropriate behavior that is definitely not part of the procedure. Since, Sarah Silverman is known to voice her opinion on the injustice of the world, she shared the story to her followers on Instagram:
“Look. I’m a grown woman and I’m fine. But this guy does this with everyone and I know that personally it took many years into adulthood before I spoke up for myself. It’s uncomfortable and too easy to think it’s all in your head. And arrogant fucks like this doctor take advantage of women’s socialized instinct to not speak up. “
A lot of news outlets covered this story, like Bustle, Yahoo, Health, and Mail Online.
But, a few news sites had a weird way of doing it. They had pictures of Sarah Silverman that exposed some area of her breasts.
Surprisingly, people still seem to think that people are more likely to commit sexual misconduct against those who wear provocative dresses.
Sarah Silverman Makes a Good Point!
The comedian and actress highlighted the fact that many of the news sites and magazines had provocative pictures of her for an article that’s literally talking about her bad experience with a male doctor overstepping his boundaries. Silverman did not call it abuse or herself a victim, but some might call it that. In any case, the behavior was not appropriate.
However, the age old societal norms that constantly blame the victims of sexual abuse and harassment have been translated into the digital age. Sarah Silverman was right to notice this pattern of patriarchal media coverage.
It’s more than how editors choose the stories. The perspective from which news sites write them an have a lot of effect too. Conventional as well as digital magazines and newspapers use click bait titles and images to gain more viewership. Unintentionally, it all plays a role in perpetuating harmful stereotypes and views.
Even news media companies choice of pictures can have a profound effect on how the public views the celebrity being talked about. Women celebrities were often just made to be ‘sexy’ and ‘hot’, to simply gauge the interest of the male reader.
Sarah Silverman shared her horrible experience to promote awareness of sexual abuse problems women face everyday. It was to enlighten girls everywhere that they should not stay quiet if they feel that something is going wrong. Instead, the picture chosen in some news stories focused on the provocative way she dresses (even if the entire incident was accurately told alongside it). And hence internet trolls online fell into their old habits of victim shaming.
Additionally, the fact that she easily talks about sex in her stand-up routine does not mean that she deserves inappropriate treatment by the doctor or in fact anyone else.
What’s Sarah Silverman Doing These Days?
Recently, she completed filming Wreck it Ralph’s sequel Ralph Breaks the Internet where she voices Vanellope. For the most part of 2018, Silverman was busy with her Hulu show I Love You, America which focuses on the political divides of the country especially after Trump’s presidency. Sadly, it was cancelled before we could get more seasons for it. Her political activism took birth during the 2016 Presidential election.
She was popularly a writer as well as performer on Saturday Night Live and for the show bearing her own name The Sarah Silverman Program. Other acting roles include Masters of Sex and The Simpsons.
As of now, there are no active projects Sarah Silverman is working on. The comedian just has her hands full dealing with controversies and her relentless political activism.