This is what actor Matt Smith said at the recent Comic Con in San Diego when a fan asked him what he’d like to do before he dies. Karen Jensen, a mother and librarian, took offense at this – as she should – and wrote a really great letter to him.
“Many people will think that you paid Jennifer Lawrence a tremendous compliment in your answer. Some will say you were simply trying to be funny. Others will realize that you stripped her away of all her hard work and accomplishments, demeaned her, and reduced her to a physical object. Imagine what a different impact you would have had if you had chosen to say before you died you wanted to make great art, or to learn new things, or to make the world a better place. But no, your first desire was to “do” Jennifer Lawrence. You were basically engaging in a large scale moment of Street Harassment…
You took the stage and perpetuated a culture that others are working tirelessly to end because it harms others. Teenage boys hanging their heads out their car windows telling women on the street that they “want to do them” will think nothing of it because, well, Matt Smith did it at Comic Con and everyone thought it was cool. Bow ties are cool, street harassment is not.”
Thank you, Karen, for taking a stand and calling him out.
