An Open Letter from Dylan Farrow — Page 3

^^^^^^^^

Both to JG and Michael Bennett

Again, it's very different for the victim. Anyone who shows support for him, especially those she knows personally, feels like a slap in the face. It feels like people not believing her all over again. You really can't tell a victim how to feel or how she can choose to respond.

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Admittedly, I have never been a Woody Allen fan. His films have just never resonated with me. I don't care about personally boycotting or separating a man from art. That's not my argument. I do, however, absolutely recognize the language of a victim of abuse (whether it actually happened or there is a psychosis involved.) I just can't imagine what it must be like to have been called a liar as a child in the court of public opinion. The abuse began in the home, it continued in the media and now, all of these years later, it continues as he is praised over and over. It's very personal and she chose to take it public, but with its history and his fame, I am not sure she felt she had another option.

And again, it's all speculation, but it would appear, at the very least, she believes it happened.

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Updated On: 2/2/14 at 02:17 PM

And again, I point to the Daily Beast Op-Ed piece as perhaps prompting her statement.

When you believe the records is incorrect, setting is straight sometimes overtakes all of us (present company included).

If one is going to give Ms. Farrow the benefit of the doubt that she sincerely believes in the truth of her accusations, then one must allow her the right to speak whenever and however and wherever she chooses to do so.

Among the most toxic and debilitating results of childhood sexual abuse is the shame and guilt felt by the victims--not only about their participation in the event(s) but also about their inability to speak about their experience. If a victim of abuse finds their voice, using it can be healing.

In addition--and this part is just my opinion--people do a great service by keeping the topic of childhood sexual abuse alive in the public forum. People need to know that it happens in their world, in their community, to people they know. The frequency with which abuse takes place is shocking, tragic, unnecessary and made possible in part by people's willingness/desire NOT to know about it.

If it should transpire that Ms. Farrow has been "coached" or "brainwashed" into these accusations, the person/persons responsible for such behavior are beneath contempt.

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Ditto.

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"So you don't believe that Mia Farrow had any influence in the writing of the letter? Mia holds no grudges against Diane Keaton and wouldn't poison Dylan's mind against Keaton?"

Dylan is an almost 30 year old woman, not a child who acts at her mother's bidding. What many seem to be losing perspective of (especially in The Daily Beast article) is that this is NOT about Mia. It's about Dylan. The accusations of abuse were Dylan's, not Mia's. Direct answer to your question. No. I don't think Mia was the force behind the letter.

I don't know if Mia holds a grudge against Keaton. Arguably, I can see why Mia might poison Dylan's mind against Allen, but why Keaton? That doesn't make sense to me. What would be the point?

"Dylan is an almost 30 year old woman, not a child who acts at her mother's bidding."

Dylan could be the Little Edie of that family.

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"Dylan could be the Little Edie of that family."

Oookay.

Looks like Allen has decided to respond:

" Allen's attorney Elkan Abramowitz sent Mother Jones the following statement on Sunday afternoon:

'It is tragic that after 20 years a story engineered by a vengeful lover resurfaces after it was fully vetted and rejected by independent authorities. The one to blame for Dylan's distress is neither Dylan nor Woody Allen.' "

This is going to get even uglier than it is already. So sad. Such screwed up people.

Mother Jones

Jerseygirl, you're absolutely right, it is very different for the victim. That's why I didn't intend anything I wrote as a criticism - or a failure to understand the feelings of - Dylan Farrow. I maintain that it's unfortunate that she has publicly disparaged Woody's admirers, colleagues, friends and supporters, but I never meant to imply that I couldn't understand or appreciate her feelings or mindset.

Well, that's truly disgusting.

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Someone gave him really bad PR Advice. All this does is open up the issues with the earlier case for scrutiny. My understanding is one of the reasons it was not pursued was because they feared for Dylan's mental health. Fully vetted my behind.

IMO, he sounds more like Polanski in this quote,implying that everyone should just "Oh get over it already".