Brie Larson Says Being a Woman Means 'Living Life on the Defense' as She Details Uncomfortable Experience With a TSA Agent
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal, a number women have taken to Twitter to share their stories of when men made them feel uncomfortable.
Brie Larson was one of those women, sharing her own "uncomfortable" experience she had at an airport recently.
The Oscar-winning actress, 28, tweeted on Thursday about her experience after she behaved politely toward a TSA agent.
“I merely smiled at a TSA agent and he asked for my phone number,” she wrote. “To live life as a woman is to live life on the defense.”
I merely smiled at a TSA agent and he asked for my phone number. To live life as a woman is to live life on the defense.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
The actress received criticism for the tweet with one person replying, “OH NO! A guy asked for your number. You poor thing. Women be complaining they don’t find a good guy, but complain when dudes ask for their #.”
The star quickly responded writing back, “You do realize you’re blaming me for a situation I did not ask to be in? A situation that made me uncomfortable?”
Larson continued, “I hope you take the time to learn more about the experience of women. It’s real + scary sometimes and people like you can make it better.”
OH NO! A guy asked for your number. You poor thing. Women be complaining they don't find a good guy, but complain when dudes ask for their #
— Riley (@RileyStarship) October 6, 2017
And ur hundreds of miles away? Makes no sense. The fact he gave it a shot should be applauded. At least he had the guts to show interest.2/2
— Riley (@RileyStarship) October 6, 2017
You do realize you're blaming me for a situation I did not ask to be in? A situation that made me uncomfortable?
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 6, 2017
I hope you take the time to learn more about the experiences of women. It's real + scary sometimes and people like you can make it better
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 6, 2017
The Oscar winner also tweeted her support to all women who have been sexually harassed.
As always, I stand with the brave survivors of sexual assault and harassment. It’s not your fault. I believe you,” she tweeted.
Larson then addressed those who dismissed her and other women’s concerns again, writing “Are you up to learning something that may challenge your current view?”
“First step: listen. I don’t need you explain why my experience is invalid. I need you to listen because I am not a liar and I have a soul,” she wrote.
“Second: ask questions. If you don’t understand, believe in us enough to learn more. This can be challenging if our perspectives differ,” she continued. “Third: speak from a place of love. Remember that we are (hopefully) just trying to make the world a safer place for all.”
My recent tweets were an invitation to hear my experience as a woman. Are you up to learning something that may challenge your current view?
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
First step: listen. I don't need you explain why my experience is invalid. I need you to listen because I am not a liar and I have a soul.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Second: ask questions. If you don't understand, believe in us enough to learn more. This can be challenging if our perspectives differ.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Third: speak from a place of love. Remember that we are (hopefully) just trying to make the world a safer place for all.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
Fourth: social media can broaden your world view. It can bring us together to learn. Don't miss this opportunity to grow in unexpected ways
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
“Fourth: social media can broaden your world view. It can bring us together to learn. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in unexpected ways.”
The Room actress, who won an Oscar for portraying a sexual-assault survivor in the film, has long been an advocate for sexual assault victims and women’s rights.
A revealing expose by The New York Times Thursday, reported that eight women have come forward to speak out against movie mogul Weinstein.
Weinstein has been accused of multiple cases of sexual harassment — including by actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan — spanning three decades.
Following the allegations, the movie mogul announced plans to take a “leave of absence” in a statement to the NYT.
“I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it. Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go,” he said, adding that he was working with therapists and planned to take time off to “deal with this issue head-on.”
