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Many Say #MeToo is Bigger than Harvey Weinstein, Trial Outcome Doesn’t Matter

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The Weinstein case has been categorized by some as one of the most significant #MeToo cases in history. This is because of the severity of the allegations against him and the fact that those allegations came early on in the movement and attracted much attention. It’s also true that many of the allegations are fairly recent and involved some of Hollywood’s best-known female stars. Conversely, many of the allegations in several similar cases are often decades old and/or occurred far outside of the statutes of limitations.

Published

7 years ago

January 12, 2020

Stacy M. Brown

Harvey Weinstein in Paris at the César Awards ceremony in 2014. (Photo: Georges Biard / Wikimedia Commons)

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Former Hollywood and entertainment industry mogul Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault trial is entering its second week. The founder of Miramax, who has produced such blockbuster films as “A Thin Blue Line,” “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” and “Pulp Fiction,” is facing five sex crime charges that could result in imprisonment for the remainder of his life if found guilty. Weinstein appeared at the courthouse in December using a walker. Many believe that his use of the apparatus was an attempt by his defense team to garner sympathy from the court and potential jurors.

The Weinstein case has been categorized by some as one of the most significant #MeToo cases in history. This is because of the severity of the allegations against him and the fact that those allegations came early on in the movement and attracted much attention. It’s also true that many of the allegations are fairly recent and involved some of Hollywood’s best-known female stars. Conversely, many of the allegations in several similar cases are often decades old and/or occurred far outside of the statutes of limitations.

“If women with that influence and power could be victimized, anyone can,” stated Nora V. Demleitner, a Roy L. Steinheimer Jr. Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University in Virginia.

“Also, the types of accusations against Weinstein were so egregious that, as alleged, they easily met the standard of serious crimes. For all these reasons and the fact that we are now witnessing a criminal trial that keeps the case in the news, it is more important than the others,” Demleitner stated.

“Should Matt Lauer be tried, that may change the calculus as he is an even better-known figure than Weinstein in the public’s eye,” she added.

At least 100 women, including several A-list actresses, have alleged that Weinstein used the casting couch to sexually harass and assault them.

Former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Emily D. Baker said, even with all of the evidence against Weinstein, a conviction is no slam dunk. “When it comes to sexual assault cases, juries can be funny,” stated Baker, currently a private citizen whose practice represents online business owners and entrepreneurs.

“Prosecutors still have to overcome victim-blaming and shamming mindsets that are so prevalent. While the defense may argue that Weinstein won’t get a fair trial because of the notoriety of the case and the allegations, the victims of sexual assault have to overcome our culture’s everyday biases against the women,” Baker stated.

In spite of the number of accusers, or perhaps because of them, Jonathan Farley, a Visiting Professor of Mathematics at the California Institute of Technology, who has a reputation for arguing unpopular viewpoints, believes Weinstein shouldn’t even be on trial.

“None of these women have proof, and common sense tells us that they were more than willing participants, in order to get roles,” Farley stated. “[One woman] says Weinstein raped her twice. How does that work again?”

Furthermore, Farley added that Weinstein’s lawyers should bring as witnesses “the hundreds of men the accusers have been carnal with to refute the idea that they were these innocent virgins before being despoiled by Weinstein.”

“Why are men second-class citizens? Why can any woman destroy a man’s life without a shred of evidence?” Farley stated.

The case of the People of New York against Harvey Weinstein occurs as the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that they have also filed four felony counts of sexual assault against Weinstein.

Those charges stem from alleged attacks on two different women over two days in California in 2013.

Sophie Sandberg, the founder of the Instagram channel, “Catcalls of NYC,” said celebrity men all had become symbols in the #MeToo movement, and that can have a negative impact in many ways.

“First, it can result in the false impression that we can get rid of all the men who are abusers and fix the problem. Rather, the #MeToo movement should be about changing systemic inequality that results in widespread gender-based sexual harassment on the streets, in workplaces and schools,” Sandberg stated.

“Second, as a result of these celebrities being fired and put on trial, many men feel that they are being targeted and victimized by the #MeToo movement. This can result in retaliation and backlash,” she stated.

It can be argued that somewhere along the way, justice for victims of sexual assault seems to have taken a back seat to the desire for validation by parties from either side of the #MeToo movement divide. After all, if accused defendants, like Weinstein, are found guilty of their actions in a court of law, is their crime less heinous because it was executed on a casting couch instead of at the end of a weapon?

Nicole Porter, a professor of law at The University of Toledo College of Law, stated that Weinstein caused the current iteration of the #MeToo movement, but the action is about so much more than Harvey Weinstein or his criminal case.

“In my opinion, the #MeToo movement has had its biggest impact in two ways,” Porter stated. “Getting the public to understand how big of a problem sexual harassment and assault is and getting employers to take sexual harassment in the workplace more seriously,” Porter added.

“I don’t think the outcome of this trial will affect the #MeToo movement. If he gets convicted, I imagine the majority of the public will be happy about that, although there will be a sizable and likely very vocal minority who might feel like he should have been acquitted,” Porter noted.

She continued:

“If he does not get convicted, I don’t think that will hurt the #MeToo movement very much. The movement is not about him anymore. Whether or not the State of New York chose to prosecute Harvey Weinstein has nothing to do with what has happened with Charlie Rose or Matt Lauer.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

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Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.