Erin
Andrews, of Fox Sports, is suing Michael Barrett for $75 million in damages
because he filmed her naked in her hotel room and then put the video online.
This video received 16.8 million views. Michael Barrett has pleaded guilty
to criminal charges related to making such a video. The incident happened in
2009 when Barrett, Andrews’ stalker, requested a hotel room next to hers. Barrett
was able to create a peephole between the walls and filmed her.
Erin Andrews testified on Monday in
court about how belittling and mortifying this whole thing has been. She
believes that this video discredits her professionally and makes her a less
valid newscaster. In her opinion, it has hurt her credibility and has hurt her
career. She also mentions the emotional and psychological toll that this has had.
Andrews mentions that this will haunt her forever.
On Tuesday the defense came back and
suggested that the video has actually helped her career, “You have thrived in
your career since 2009… Your income has gone up substantially since this
occurred”. Statements like this go back
to stereotypes about women. It suggests that her talent and value comes from
her looks and her body, not her talent, intelligence or work ethic. Comments
like this one insinuates that Andrews is where she is today because of the
naked video that was posted. Which means that people liked what they saw and hired
her based on her looks. Not only is this reaffirming stereotypes about women
and where their value lies, but it is also reaffirming ideas about the male
gaze. This idea that women are objects to be seen by the male viewer, nothing
more. I think the defense is being sexist and misogynistic by making claims
that this video helped her.
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