Ethan Hawke's Hollywood Dilemma: Fear and Silence
A New Kind of Fear
Ethan Hawke, a well-known actor, recently shared his thoughts on the fear he feels when speaking out in Hollywood. He mentioned that he has never felt this kind of fear before, and it's not something he associates with America. This fear seems to be about saying the wrong thing and facing consequences.
The Illusion of Free Expression
Hollywood, the entertainment industry, is often seen as a place where people can express themselves freely. However, there are certain topics that are considered off-limits. If an actor were to express support for Trump, or believe in securing the border, or think that exposing young children to certain content is wrong, they might face backlash. This backlash could lead to loss of jobs, friends, and even their career.
Silence in the Face of Controversy
Hawke has been silent on several high-profile cases where people were canceled or blacklisted for speaking their minds. He didn't speak up when:
- Gina Carano was canceled
- Sasha Stone lost her career
- Woody Allen was accused and later exonerated
- Kevin Spacey and Johnny Depp were exonerated in court
- Disney removed a miniseries to appease the Clintons
Privilege and Paradox
Instead, Hawke talked about the privilege of being an artist in a free country. He said he doesn't feel that way anymore and that things need to change. But his actions, or lack thereof, suggest that he is going along with what his employers, friends, and colleagues want him to say.
Bravery Behind a Camera
It's interesting to note that Hawke is speaking out about fear and silence, but he is doing so in a controlled environment, behind a camera and microphone. It's easy to talk about bravery when you're not risking anything. It's also easy to talk about free speech when you're not facing any consequences for your words.
