Ouch! Tessa Thompson Calls Out Lena Dunham: She Used Movement For Photo Op

Tessa Thompson Calls Out Lena Dunham

Tessa Thompson is calling out Lena Dunham, implying that the Girls actress used a ground breaking movement for a photo-op. On Sunday (January 7th), Thompson posted a photo featuring several actresses, including 31-year-old Dunham. In the photo, she pledged support for the ‘Times Up’ movement, which helps provide legal aid for victims of sexual assault, harassment and inequality in the workplace.

Someone left a comment questioning Dunham’s inclusion, bringing up her controversial defense of Girls writer Murray Miller after he was accused of sexual assault. Thompson replied to the comment writing,

Lena was not anywhere present in our group during the countless hours of work for the last two months. We hosted an open house for the actresses for red carpet messaging and Lena[‘s] presence was a surprise to us all. This is a time of reckoning. And for many, a re-education. So many women also have real work to do. I’m afraid it’s too nuanced a conversation to have on this platform. But I hear you, and know that your thoughts and words are not lost on me. It’s been discussed.

She has since deleted the photo and released a statement clarifying the comments she previously made about Dunham’s involvement in the Time’s Up Movement.

A response I made to comments on an Instagram post became fodder for a piece that I believe was designed to create conflict where there isn’t any. It’s perhaps more complex than that. But I, in no way, want to diminish Lena Dunham and her work, her voice, and her importance. We have spoken and she knows my heart. I feel a responsibility to women that have sometimes felt ignored, dismissed and underrepresented. They are my beacons. I regret that my words were misinterpreted to distract from the most important thing: The Time’s Up campaign is for everyone, in all capacities, contributions big and small,” she continued. “It doesn’t belong to any one. It is for us all. The beauty of this huge collaboration has been a group of countless committed people who have come together for a shared purpose. To create change. And it is such a powerful thing. I stand, humbled, with everyone involved. Linked not ranked.

This was not meant as an apology, as much as an attempt to re-center the conversation around the work. The truth remains:
Many women, particularly women of color, don’t feel safe and seen. To those women, like Aurora Perrineau—I see you. I am with you. This must be clear. pic.twitter.com/XOEZZYfGpB

— Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) January 9, 2018

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