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"Murder She Wrote" star Angela Lansbury did a little sexual harassment victim blaming amidst the intense Hollywood harassment scandal developing daily, and as anyone who's ever been on Twitter can imagine, her position on the matter didn't go over so well.
The 92-year-old actress, who also voiced Mrs. Potts in Disney's animated "Beauty and the Beast," told the Radio Times that women are experiencing uncomfortable situations because they "have gone out of their way to make themselves attractive."
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View Story"There are two sides to this coin," Lansbury said. "We have to own up to the fact that women, since time immemorial, have gone out of their way to make themselves attractive and unfortunately it has backfired on us and this is where we are today."
"We must sometimes take blame women," she added. "I really do think that. Although it's awful to say, we can't make ourselves look as attractive as possible without being knocked down and raped."
Many women who took to Twitter to comment seemed to agree with Lansbury's own assessment: It is an awful thing to say, but that's not all she had to say on the subject.
Lansbury, who said she had her own sexual harassment experience while working for Hollywood movie studio MGM in the '40s, added: "Should women be prepared for this? No, they shouldn't have to be. There's no excuse for that. And I think it will stop now - it will have to. I think a lot of men must be very worried at this point."
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View StoryHer name was trending on Twitter Tuesday morning, with many declaring her "cancelled." On the flip side, others recognized that a 92-year-old woman may not have the most modern views.
"Up until this morning, Angela Lansbury was the source of ALL of my social/political views. I am absolutely devastated that she is not the 24-year-old feminist I though she was. I thought Angela Lansbury was me," one forgiving woman joked.
Here's a sample of the feminist backlash facing Lansbury.
What Angela Lansbury said was outdated & messed up, but none of you said ANYTHING about her being caught up in that murderous barber/human meat pie situation. And really, that's on you.
@iSmashFizzle
*Murder she wrote opening theme plays*
@hingit83
Angela Lansbury: *looks at murdered woman* she was wearing a skirt. It's her fault. Case closed. Everybody go home.
*Murder she wrote end theme plays*
"Oh god, Angela Lansbury's trending, please say she's not dead"
@spiraltastic
*Clicks link*
"..."
*Turns off computer; goes outside*
Fun fact: Angela Lansbury earned an Oscar nom playing Nancy, the young maid who was manipulated by Gregory & turned against Paula in the movie, “Gaslight,” from which the popular term “gaslighting” comes! Seems apt? https://t.co/HBPkokVwfT
@Caissie
Angela Lansbury's comments show an attitude that does real harm. But most of all I feel very sad for her and all the other women who have lived by these rules and placed blame at their own door and I think reactions should contain compassion and reflection on generational change.
@lauraewaddell
Oh, Angela Lansbury.
@AynRandPaulRyan
No, girl. Just no.
1) Rapists don't rape because of the way we dress. They rape to exert power over women. It has nothing to do with how we look.
2) It's never the woman's fault. Never.
3) I agree that "men must be very worried".https://t.co/KD06V7wjJM pic.twitter.com/mx9A5FZVTb
Angela Lansbury went 92 years without being controversial but decided victim-blaming was the opinion to throw herself under the bus over. pic.twitter.com/WrRKsT5vOg
@HannaFlint
Oh, Angela Lansbury, these comments are so misguided. “Without being knocked down and raped” - I beg your pardon? No woman should think that taking care of her appearance & wanting to look/dress how she wants should mean she should expect being raped as a result? pic.twitter.com/vI3TBoLa0s
@AmyleighCraigg
Angela Lansbury is cancelled pic.twitter.com/U4Flbn8OWj
@juliamacfarlane
Let's do international treasure Angela Lansbury the very great favour of ignoring her on this one.
@HelenLOHara
Unaired Murder She Wrote ending:
@ambermruffin
Murderer: I did it. I murdered her.
Angela Lansbury: Well, look how she was dressed. You are both to blame.
Me: “I wonder why #AngelaLansbury is trending? I hope she's okay!”
@Spacekatgal
(Five seconds later) pic.twitter.com/8wmNKwdRts
If rape was about attraction, then ALL men would be rapists, and only attractive young women would be the victims of rape. Neither is the case. Suggesting it is just encourages rapists to believe that what they do is normal. #AngelaLansbury
@Joannechocolat
angela lansbury is old as shit why are we listening to anyone who remembers horse-drawn carriages
@frenchielaboozi
Up until this morning, Angela Lansbury was the source of ALL of my social/political views. I am absolutely devastated that she is not the 24 year old feminist I though she was. I thought Angela Lansbury was me.
@tweetrajouhari
BTW I'm not at all saying Angela Lansbury is cancelled or such nonsense. She just needs to understand how misguided her comments are. Calling someone out is not an attack.
@HannaFlint
To everyone giving out the #AngelaLansbury is old, she doesn't know better, she's from a different generation explanation, Stop! She knows exactly what she's doing, her wits are about her, victim blaming is never ok. Am i to believe when i get ready to perform i should be raped?!
@CynthiaEriVo
"Angela Lansbury" women have the right to look, dress and act how they want without the fear of rape being the ''consequence'' if a man dressed nice and did the same things is he ''asking'' for men to rape him too? fuck off!
@Katie__Woo
Angela Lansbury- I feel sorry for you that you can't empower women. The comment makes you look weak .
@Bucksgirl53
In your privileged position you could have done so much to protect other women.
Damn it, now Angela Lansbury has me wishing she was 2016 celebrity news instead of 2017 celebrity news.
@Nascentransgirl
*sees Angela Lansbury trending* OH NO!
@saramegan
*sees why Angela Lansbury is trending* Oh. Oh no. 😡
Dear Angela Lansbury,
@AngelaBelcamino
Victim blaming is never ok.
Signed,
Everyone
Great. Now Jessica Fletcher has to investigate why Angela Lansbury decided to murder her own moral compass https://t.co/FEDu3h40qm
@schetzer
Why is Angela Lansbury trending?! Please don't say....
@laurawelshiew
Oh... that's worse. Oh god WHY. #AngelaLansbury
Oh Angela Lansbury, *shakes head*, A Step In The Wrong Direction.
@KerryDaynes
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