In this whirlwind time period for the anti-sexual violence movement, amidst #TimesUp and #MeToo, actual glimmers of hope have appeared that have long been absent from the lives of women all over the globe.  However, alongside the glimmers of hope is the reality that even men who are in vocal support of feminism can fall from the good graces.

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This week, a Brooklyn photographer accused Aziz Ansari of sexual misconduct, speaking out under the anonymous pseudonym “Grace” to the publication Babe.  In her account of the dinner date she went on with Ansari in September of 2017, Grace detailed Ansari’s apparent unrelenting sexual advances, even after she expressed discomfort.  

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In her description of the night, Grace states that Ansari took her to dinner and invited her back to his apartment.  Shortly after entering the apartment, Ansari began kissing Grace aggressively and removing his clothes.  When Grace requested that the two of them slow things down, Ansari at first agreed but later continued to persistently pursue her, pressuring her into performing oral sex on him. Though Grace both verbally and physically acknowledged her discomfort--pushing Ansari away and asking him to stop--similar incidents continued to occur throughout the night.

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Grace also released screenshots of the text conversation she had with Ansari following this encounter.  

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“Last night might’ve been fun for you, but it wasn’t for me. You ignored clear non-verbal cues; you kept going with advances,” Grace texted Ansari, according to Babe.  “I want to make sure you’re aware so maybe the next girl doesn’t have to cry on the ride home.”

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"I believe that I was taken advantage of by Aziz," she stated to Babe. "I was not listened to and ignored. It was by far the worst experience with a man I've ever had."

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The entertainment industry has since recoiled in shock since Babe released news of Grace’s accusations.  Ansari has been known as a longtime supporter of feminism, speaking about the commonsensical nature of its definition in both his stand-up and on late night talk show appearances.  Best known for his role of Tom Haverford on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” and for his Emmy-award winning comedy “Master of None,” Ansari has not only been seen in the public eye as in support of the women’s rights movement, but has been considered a vocal and active member.

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He has since responded to these accusations.  Ansari acknowledged that the date did, in fact, occur, but told told E! News, “We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual."

Ansari continued, "The next day, I got a text from her saying that although it may have seemed okay, upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said."

"I continue to support the movement that is happening in our culture. It is necessary and long overdue," Ansari concluded his statement.

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However, the most unsettling aspect of Grace’s encounter with Hollywood’s “nice guy” is the commonality: writer Arnesa Buljusmic-Kustura tweeted Monday morning, “I saw someone tweet something like ‘if what Aziz Ansari did was sexual assault then every woman I know has been sexually assaulted’ and like yeah, actually.”