After that now infamous tape of Donald Trump boasting about grabbing women’s private parts came out on Friday, film critic Devin Faraci — a self-described feminist and one of the more aggressive opponents of GamerGate — took to Twitter to excoriate Trump’s abominable remarks.
Then this happened:
In a series of tweets, @spacecrone told the whole story:
The accusation stopped Faraci in his tracks. He didn’t quite admit that it was true, but he also kind of did. And he asked for forgiveness for something he said he couldn’t remember doing.
This was on Sunday. Today, Faraci resigned as Editor-In-Chief of Birth.Movies.Death, saying:
This weekend allegations were made about my past behavior. Because I take these types of claims seriously I feel my only honorable course of action is to step down from my position as Editor-in-Chief of Birth.Movies.Death. I will use the coming weeks and months to work on becoming a better person who is, I hope, worthy of the trust and loyalty of my friends and readers.
He still hasn’t quite admitted to anything, but @spacecrone says she’s heartened that Faraci seems sincere in his contrition.
“I am really happy that it sounds like Devin is interested in getting help about this, and I’m open to any accountability processing that might be part of his treatment,” she told Variety.
I really hope this can be a moment of self-interrogation for all of us, myself included, about the ways we might use positions of power to silence people, and the ways we all turn away from things that might seem a little too complicated to deal with.
Faraci’s alleged assault is more proof (as if we needed any) that being on the “right side” on the issues — in Faraci’s case, taking on GamerGaters, calling for greater representation of women in the movie business, and so forth — does not automatically make you a good person. (Hugo Schwyzer, anyone?)
As it turns out (as it so often turns out) plenty of people — and not just GamerGaters — have been pointing out seriously assholish language (and behavior) from Faraci for some time. In the wake of @spacecrone’s accusation, writer and Bibliodaze co-editor @Ceilidhann set forth some of her issues with Faraci on Twitter:
Devin Faraci sexually assaults women, tries to goad people into suicide & cyber-stalks basically everyone but sure, fandom is the problem.
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) October 9, 2016
Honestly, the continuing silence over his years of bullying & attacks on this site & elsewhere make this round utterly unsurprising. https://t.co/ewLVAUxjoN
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) October 10, 2016
(By “this site” she means Twitter.)
Faraci's bullying & misogyny were blatantly clear to everyone for a long time & many still harboured him at the expense of those he hurt.
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) October 10, 2016
Naturally, the Gamergaters, have seized on Faraci’s alleged sexual assault as an excuse to attack, well, the same women they always attack.
It took less than an hour for my tweets on D*vin F*raci to be used by GG/MRAs as an excuse to attack Anita Sarkeesian & SJWs. Typical.
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) October 9, 2016
Because of course.
H/T — The Daily Dot, NYMag, GamerGhazi
Yeah, this douchebag.
If someone who puts as their headline focusing on an actress’s boobs as opposed to, y’know, reviewing the movie, then clearly this dude is a totally cool guy.
He’s also been kicked off other movie websites, like CHUD and Collider, before being relegated to smaller websites.
Just a filmbuff chipping in their two cents. I’ll go back to lurking.
Which is why I tell everyone I talk to about this: Feminism isn’t about being “above reproach”, it’s about holding myself and those who claim to stand under the banner of “equal rights” with me under a far more powerful scrutiny than your average person who does not. Because the average person doesn’t have the level of understanding about sexism that most feminists do. We’ve steeped ourselves in this shit for a long time, we’ve done the research, we’ve refuted the PRATTs, we’ve walked the walk, so to speak. We should know better.
So when someone who claims to be a feminist (doubly so if they’re a cis dude, because they lack the understanding that women have of sexism) fucks up, as we’ve seen here, we have to also examine ourselves and our allies a little more closely to see if we’ve/they’ve been pulling the same shit to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
And, of course, we have to deal with the anti-feminist asshole squad jumping on our backs about it, and no, they’ll never stop bringing it up, as though we’re responsible for one individual’s actions.
I am happy that Faraci did the right thing, and is trying to make amends though. Not happy that he did the awful thing in the first place, and he deserves all the outrage and shunning, but I am happy that he’s not doubling down (or, gods forbid, pulling a fucking Trump).
A man turned out to be a sexual predator pretending to be an ally and it’s somehow an excuse to punish women?
Is there anything that they won’t use as an excuse to harass women?
Well, huh. Twitter turns out to have a use other than @mysadcat.
I’m kinda shocked.
His “making amends” smells suspiciously like that of those two PUA douchebags in North Carolina — I forget their names — the ones who ran that coffee shop. Mouthing some vaguely right-sounding words isn’t enough, dude.
@Bina
Bingo. Dude can’t make what he did go away by saying a nonapology.
@Kylo — right? I hope I’m wrong about him, but somehow I doubt it. This guy’s name has been cropping up in problematic contexts time and again. I don’t think this is just something he did while blacked-out blotto. I think there’s a larger pattern, same as with Drumpf.
Yeah, I got nothin…
This is his fault and his doing, but not exclusively. Believe. Dammit…
I’ve been following film blogging since it more or less began. It often feels like the caffeinated fourteen year old boy attitude of the likes of Ain’t It Cool News has never totally gone away, even though the bloggers themselves are around middle age now. Between the truly obnoxious entitlement, the personal slams on filmmakers, the blatant shilling and slobbering sex talk, there’s been a huge problem in these circles for years.
I first came to Faraci via his writing for CHUD, and enjoyed the snarky humour of some of his reviews, but it quickly became apparent that he had some serious axes to grind. Like a lot of fanboys/fangirls, he doesn’t take disappointment well, and his ferocious obsession with Damon Lindelof over the Lost finale demonstrated that he seemingly couldn’t let things lie. Then there’s the feud with Joe Swanberg – resolved with a literal boxing match – and his ongoing personal attacks on Kevin Smith (see his review of Cop Out). He’s also repeatedly used the word “retarded” to denigrate the site of an FB friend of mine, despite being made aware many times that the guy who runs it has two special needs children.
Every now and then, he made a point I would agree with, like when he expressed disdain for the commodification of childhood nostalgia, or the entitled behaviour of some fans (yes, coming from him, I know), but they were essentially stopped clock moments.
In hindsight, he was never really an ally, just someone who happened to be anti-GamerGate because they were right-wingers and he identified as sorta, kinda left. He could just as easily have been a GG-er in different circumstances. To learn that his lack of respect for the boundaries of others extends to sexually assaulting women isn’t much of a surprise.
He’s also not the only proclaimed progressive in the film blogging sphere with questionable-to-assholish attitudes, either. I’ve been side-eyeing most of the veteran AICN crew for years, along with some of the CHUD contributors.
Yeah I’ll believe that he turned a new leaf when I see it. Also to get this out of my chest, GG the reason why it isn’t hypocritical when feminists can reject a member but they can’t when they say that person isn’t GG isn’t because some “holier than thou”, it’s “this person has gone against what feminism stands for.” When GG does it, it is always to eject anyone that makes them look bad, not that they need any help on looking bad, even though that person has done everything they are for, mainly harassment of women and espousing a desire to never ever change. Kind of like this guy.
Nurgle is friendly, unlike these fucking assholes.
@Dan Kasteray
You’re right, I should have used the Horned Rat, the assholishness of Tzeentch with the ugly traditionalisms of Nurgle.
@Ghost Robot
I know too well the attitudes of the type that frequents places like AICN, CHUD, Collider, and various other film sites.
Hell, I was a contributor to one that was started up by a commenter from AICN.
Note the emphasis on was. One of the other contributors posted an extremely vile, misogynistic and sexist “review” (air quotes because it wasn’t a review) of Suicide Squad and none of the other contributors even blinked. Personally, I detested the movie but there was no need for that disgusting “verbiage” on the movie. Next day, I straight up told them that I quit and they couldn’t understand why. Saddens me
C’est la vie.
He writes movie reviews? I’ve only ever seen or heard of Faraci when people on social media want proof of either supposed liberal hypocrisy or proof that self-labeling as a thing, e.g. feminist, does not magically turn you into said thing. You have to work at being the thing. So, yeah, I half-seriously thought his job was being a terrible person on Twitter so that anti-feminists had the perfect straw man to scream about.
There’s a lot of exactly that coming up in the news lately. Such as the attempts to distract from Trump’s sexual assaults–including a lawsuit claiming that he raped a 13 year old girl–by shifting the focus to Bill Clinton. As if Bill Clinton’s actions are Hilary Clinton’s responsibility. I think it’d be a hellish state of affairs if our integrity always had to be judged by the worst actions of our partners. Sure, we can think of people who partnered with and empowered toxic people. But it’d also mean blaming victims of abuse for their abusers. In addition, resorting to “tu quoque”, in response to claims of long-standing habits of boasting about harassment and vomiting misogynistic opinions, doesn’t deny the existence of those things. If anything, it comes off as an admission of guilt and an inability to defend one’s behavior.
Can I just point out that I love this community? Ooglyboggles made a Nurgle reference as the capstone of an amazingly on-point rant and didn’t have to explain it. The geek is strong here, and unlike a lot of geek places it doesn’t have terrible people in it.
I love you all so much. Please accept a happy giraffe hug picture.
http://pixdaus.com/files/items/pics/9/47/272947_a73bfd0e13c6997c9c63dd73265c5bf4_large.jpg
Also, I really admire @spacecrone for her courage in posting that on twitter. What an absolute badass.
Now, any musing beginning with the idea, I do not wish to, is already starting behind an eight-ball. And I think I am still new enough that perhaps, Mr. Futrelle, will catch this post, and if I am about to say something incredibly stupid or insensitive, perhaps he’ll stop me from doing so. If this is the case, then I thank him profusely, and I apologise.
But on the chance he will not. I would like to preface what I am about to say. I do not wish to break any of the comment rules here, and I do not wish to victim blame. I am not attempting to deny any of @spacecrone ‘s words, or cast aspersion on her character. I take her accusation seriously, and I do believe her. I also do think that when you (Faraci in this instance) acknowledge that, you can’t remember something, but think you probably did it. You are saying more than you mean, and are likely acknowledging your guilt. That isn’t a 100% certainty, bu nothing is. I would then like to close this preface, by saying I do believe @Spacecrone, and I hope that Mr. Faraci is sincere in his contrition. Lastly that I hope anyone else Mr. Faraci has harmed, and his initial victim recover fully from their ordeal.
But. Because I feel I need to, because it has not been brought up, and to do so I need to assume the role of Devil’s Advocate, and ask two questions. The first one is rhetorical, because I think it’s a little indefensible, but again necessary.
Until Faraci acknowledges guilt, (which I think he kind of did.) Is he not presumed innocent, but accused?
Secondly, I noticed a few people in the comments before me, stating that he requires more than a Non-apology. Which is true. But at least one other person along with his victim, commented that at least he seemed contrite, and was attempting to get help. He seemed to be trying to do the right thing. Mr. Faraci didn’t fight his accusation, and he immediately stepped down. I realize he has more to do. Seek counseling, address her grievance, and accept what consequences and/or punishment come from that. Take accountability, repay, what debt he owes, and attempt in whatever best fashion, (As I certainly don’t know what it would be.) To correct his action, and be forgiven.
Now. Mr. Faraci, from what is being revealed seems like a first rate Asshole, who is unlikely to change. If that is the case, then absolutely he deserves to be shunned, and likely punished by the courts. But my question is.
Do we never forgive him? Is this an offense beyond the pale? (Damn that sounds terrible, of course it is, he sexually assaulted someone.) But I do wish to know, and would appreciate if someone would help educate me.
Do we not forgive people who are legitimately contrite, and who seek help, after they take accountability for their actions, and pay their debt to society?
Because it is starting to sound exceptionally cynical, and cruel. It sounds like some are writing off his seemingly sincere attempt to take accountability, and get help, as another non-apology, from a serial abuser. And if (in the incredibly rare chance.) Mr. Faraci is in fact sincere, that is not how we help rehabilitate people. That’s how you drive people away, and make yourself look unreasonable.
Or I could just be an idiot. That’s possible too.
UGH… I Like Birth Movies Death.
Not Faraci that much mind you. Guy came always across as sort of an arrogant asshole to me, as the personification of the xkcd strip about finding a way to feel superior to both sides, to be specific. :/
@NotABul,
yeah, I get what you’re saying. If we don’t forgive people who are genuinely sorry, who genuinely seek to make amends, then what incentive is there for anyone to admit culpability or seek to change? They may as well double down like Trump or Cosby and hope that their fanbase and their public image is enough to carry them through.
Regarding what everyone else is saying about self identifying (frequently hetero male) feminists letting the side down, I’ve my own experience of that. Ages ago I was friends with some male feminist comedian who then made a rape joke on his page, he was joking about raping men which is unfortunately why he got away with it; I called him out on it and he went ballistic, blocked me from his account and then posted our exchange on his page so he and his fans could ridicule me. I’m not sure all self identifying feminists understand what the word means.
@NotABul
This is not a court of law. We don’t have to assume him innocent until proven guilty. We can use our critical thinking faculties to come to a reasonable conclusion about this, just as we do with everything in life. When we conclude that gravity is real, we don’t wait for a court of law to tell us so. The trial decides whether he will be punished by law. It does not dictate public opinion or the opinion of any individual.
Whether or not we can forgive, is not a collective decision. It’s up to you if you want to forgive someone or not. Personally, I don’t really understand forgiveness. I don’t know what it means. I know that I would never feel comfortable interacting with someone who has committed sexual assault. I know that I don’t have in my brain the thing that makes one assault people, and I can’t relate to those who do.
To me, a sexual assaulter is someone who can sexually assault again. Maybe they will or won’t, I don’t know. I don’t have any way of knowing. But I do know there are plenty of people who haven’t committed sexual assault. I’d rather spend time with those people.
Nice concern trolling at the end there, by the way. You kinda blew your cover there.
I take these types of claims seriously?
WTF.
What’s he saying: that he’ll investigate the claims?
If he finds them to be false, will he get his old job back?
@ notabul
With regard to your two main points I’ll just throw this in:
Presumption of innocence – firstly it seems he’s admitting the offence (albeit in a roundabout non committal sort of way) but in general we apply different standards in different circumstances. So if the state is going to impose criminal penalties we’ll require that they prove their case to a very high standard. If you want to get rid of an employee then you can do so on a lower standard of proof. But for individual people then they can apply whatever standards they choose. It’s entirely up to individuals how they regard other people. So if people are satisfied on their own standard that someone did something then they’re perfectly entitled to feel that way. We do that all the time; that’s how society works.
Foregiveness – I’m of the option that the only people entitled to forgive someone are the victims. I’d actually go a bit further. I think people who go on about general forgiveness are putting undue pressure on victims by implying that there’s some moral duty on victims to forgive.
Other opinions may differ of course.
@NotABul
Snort.
His apology was outstandingly nonapologetic. In fact, he didn’t say he was sorry. He just begged for forgiveness:
And here’s his resignation letter. No apology here either:
“Allegations were made…” By whom? That you did what?
“Because I take these types of claims seriously…” What–you don’t know if you did it? You’ll investigate?
If this guy wants to apologize for his nonapology and his unapologetic resignation letter and then demonstrate that he’s a better person, I’ll consider forgiving him.
Until then?
I’ll be here, laughing at how he attempts to avoid taking responsibility for his life choices.
@David
FYI and completely off-topic, but sometimes when I click read more it actually shows me the main image – that is the link is going to the URL where the main image is hosted. This happens a lot, too often for me to think I’m just clicking on the wrong thing – and happened 3 times today with this post. I use Chrome.
It’s not a major thing… just a slight annoyance, so might be worth a look when/if you do a revamp.
*sniffs*
I smell, I smell… A desperate scramble to try and save face.
If and IF this asshole is genuine, I’ll be impressed. Till then. Ew.
Also, I’m with everyone else. How the hell is he going to “investigate” these claims? Ask his totally impartial bros?
Edit to say: Hi guys. Long time lurker.
@rugbyyogi – I have had that happen too. My barely-tested entirely-unscientific guess is that it resulted from clicking on “Read More” before the page had fully loaded – especially ’cause once the banner ads loaded, they moved the header image down to the exact spot where the button had previously been.
As for the topic at hand… never heard of the guy, but, yeah, presumption of innocence is a principle that applies to judicial rulings, not the opinions of private individuals. And, yeah, whatever “forgiveness” really means, surely it’s the prerogative of the victim, not us bystanders. What would that even mean, us forgiving him? And, for that matter, who would have the sheer gall to forgive a criminal before the victim has? “This man raped you, but don’t worry – I’m prepared to forgive him”? Who would say that, outside of the villains of some tasteless farce?