‘Girls’ star Lena Dunham finds new way to shock the internet again
In what may be one of the least-surprising news items to come out today, it appears that yet again, “Girls” star Lena Dunham is finding herself the center of attention for some of the unsettling things that she is saying about a very controversial topic.
This time around, Dunham’s controversy came during the latest edition of her “Women of the Hour” podcast, where, in the midst of a conversation about a visit she made to Planned Parenthood years ago, she recounted a particular sentiment that she had when prompted to share a story of abortion for a project:
“I sort of jumped. ‘I haven’t had an abortion,’ I told her. I wanted to make it really clear to her that as much as I was going out and fighting for other women’s options, I myself had never had an abortion … Even I, the woman who cares as much as anybody about a woman’s right to choose, felt it was important that people know I was unblemished in this department … Now I can say that I still haven’t had an abortion, but I wish I had.”
Even though Dunham clearly has the freedom to say whatever she wants to, does that mean she should? The reaction to this comment seems to be almost decidedly in one direction more so than any other, and this makes it clear to us that there are some things probably better off unsaid. Yet, just as she supports women’s rights to choose, she does in turn have the right to say what she wants… and as usual, there are some steep consequences that are coming with this.
Since making the comment in the podcast, the internet has spiraled. While she may have made the comment within the context of wanting to relate to people who had experienced something of great significance and in many ways terror, that does not change the reaction to, or the nature of some the comments that are being fired off in her direction. Does someone need to have been abused to stand up and fight against abuse?
The final season of “Girls” premieres on HBO in the new year; it’s not clear whether or not comments like these will end up hurting the show in any way, but it is something that may not matter much given that it is in the final season. While Dunham is getting headlines for making these dramatic statements in the name of liberal women everywhere (even though many women don’t want to be associated with this mess whatsoever), the negative publicity may make it difficult for her to get more work. Time will tell. (Photo: HBO.)