When I read about the sexual misconduct allegations against Aziz Ansari, it took everything within me to not scream in anger. The story was painful to read, especially because several industries have sustained blows in recent months as celebrity role models become sexual harassment suspects.

But I’m also not surprised. Even people who paint themselves as feminists are capable of committing assault and traumatizing others in the process. At the heart of the problem is a confusing tangle of accountability. While there are different reasons for the ambiguity of sexual misconduct, the statistics are staggering. A 2015 survey conducted by Cosmopolitan indicated that one in three women ages 18 to 34 have been sexually harassed at work, and 71 percent of women do not report sexual harassment in general.

The case against “Master of None” star Ansari might have gone unreported, too, had the alleged victim not seen Ansari wearing a Times Up pin at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards. The Times Up movement has emerged to call attention to “sexual assault, harassment and inequality in the workplace.”

That points to three things about society.

One: We are willing to excuse people for their faults on the condition they’ve done some good deeds in the past, or because they’re an admirable and influential individual. When we’re inspired by celebrities, we want to believe they’re genuinely great and incapable of doing wrong.  

Ansari, who’s discussed issues including assault in his comedy, has been known for being a feminist. It hurts even more to see these allegations made against someone who portrayed himself as an ally, a person women can trust.

Two: The lines of consent are still blurred. Some people mistake consent as a loud “no” or as a vehement push away. Many times, though, consent comes in the form of fear, or timid suggestions like, “Maybe we can do that later.”

While aggressors can’t read minds, at some point they should have felt a level of discomfort and noticed a change in body language. During a sexual encounter, they should be aware of when others aren’t feeling good in the situation.

Rebecca Ortiz, an assistant professor of advertising in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, said missed signals in body language can lead to murky consensual waters.

“How all of this works is really tricky, as what something might be to someone is different from someone else,” Ortiz said.

Going forward, Ortiz also said there needs to be a consistent conversation to normalize this issue and to further define boundaries.  

Three: We shouldn’t assume who is more or less likely to commit sexual assault. The term “innocent until proven guilty” is a misleading phrase. One person’s perception of innocent flirtation can verge along the lines of harassment and misconduct to another. Times are changing, and we have to hold others more accountable for the things they’ve done while also refusing to apologize on the part of the aggressors.

At its core, Ansari’s case should be regarded in the same manner as if your own loved one or yourself had been harassed by someone. Just because Ansari is a celebrity doesn’t mean he deserves a free pass.

And this kind of attention isn’t limited only to victims who are heterosexual women. Children, men and members of the LGBTQ+ community are victims as well, and their stories shoud be heard and validated.

As we continue to push conversations about sexual assault and harassment forward, it’s important we remember innocence is not a black-and-white issue. When we start to think critically about the complexities of sexual misconduct, we’ll start understanding the root of the problem and how to prevent it. Maybe this way, we’re never completely surprised by allegations.

Lianza Reyes is a sophomore broadcast and digital journalism major. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at lireyes@syr.edu and followed on Twitter @ReyesLianza.

Published on January 22, 2018 at 10:41 pm