Terry Crews, most known for his role in White Chicks and his iconic dance to Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles,” and more recently for his role in Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Sergeant Terry. The comedic actor has now broadened his audience to those of the United States Senate, bravely coming forward with his own personal account as a sexual assault victim to speak in favor of the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights.
Presenting himself as a male voice for the #MeToo movement has made waves, both positive and negative. Online, there are people who make light of his experiences, including 50 Cent, who posted and has since deleted a post mocking Terry Crews and his statement. Many voiced their skepticism of his trauma, and asked why he did not defend himself or retaliate, as a large and well-built man perfectly capable of doing so. Terry said it himself best in his testimony:
“As a black man in America, you only have a few shots at success, you only have a few chances to make yourself a viable member of the community. I’m from Flint, Michigan. I have seen many young black men who were provoked into violence: They were in prison or they were killed. They’re not here.”
On top of possibly triggering a threat to his own life, any retaliation as a black man in American society, stories and headlines could have been spun a number of different ways to essentially end his career and any opportunity for his future. In fact, just from Crews speaking out, he lost his role from the upcoming Expendables 4 film due to facing threats from the producer to drop his case.
However, his experience and the publicity stemming from his testimony has shed some very valuable light for male victims in sexual assault. His action has propelled him to the spotlight as a prominent male figure in the #MeToo movement. In support of his bravery, many on social media have joined under the hashtag #WeGotYouTerry voicing praise for him and even promising to have his back and support on his future projects.
