Feminist Perspectives on the Apology of Louis CK and the #MeToo and #TimesUp Movements

Abstract

The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements are sexual misconduct survivor movements, interrogating in particular the entertainment and media industries. These movements aim to dismantle power structures in these industries by raising-up systemically silenced voices of victims (survivors) of sexual misconduct. I analyze comedian Louis CK’s apology for his own sexual misconduct as an exemplar text, and argue that that there are good feminist reasons for these movements to critically engage with his perpetrator statement. As such, the argument that I propose here-that certain perpetrator explanations are legitimate to these movements-is tendentious. I will support my argument by making an appeal to feminist social theory, which focuses on the cultural factors contributing to sexual misconduct. If my argument is compelling, then other perpetrator statements could also be integral to the movement’s aims.