Mayim Bialik fires back at op-ed critics

The list of celebrities weighing in on allegations of sexual harassment and assault by Harvey Weinstein is growing longer by the day. But one op-ed, written by “The Big Bang Theory” and “Blossom” actress Mayim Bialik, is being criticized as victim-blaming and placing responsibility on women for not getting sexually assaulted.

Bialik addressed the backlash via a message posted on Twitter, writing “a bunch of people have taken my words out of the context of the Hollywood machine and twisted them to imply that God forbid I would blame a woman for her assault based on her clothing or behavior.”

“Anyone who knows me and my feminism knows that’s absurd and not at all what this piece was about. It’s so sad how vicious people are being when I basically live to make things better for women.”

In an essay for the Times published Friday, Bialik wrote,

“In a perfect world, women should be free to act however they want. But our world isn’t perfect. Nothing — absolutely nothing — excuses men for assaulting or abusing women. But we can’t be naïve about the culture we live in.”

She wrote that she still makes choices she considers “self-protecting and wise” and “my sexual self is best reserved for private situations with those I am most intimate with. I dress modestly. I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy.”

The essay immediately drew ire online, including among prominent writers and actresses who took issue with Bialik’s framing.

Patrica Arquette (whose sister, Rosanna, has publicly accused Weinstein of sexual harassment), wrote directly to Bialik on Twitter, “it is also not outrageous for anyone to (be) expected to be treated in a professional manner (sic) by anyone in a professional relationship.”