Start Star-Talking About It [OPINION]

The #MeToo Movement has swept across the nation in recent years, emboldening sexual assault survivors and encouraging those who have struggled with such traumatic experiences to be vocal and propel revolution. One woman’s voice, in particular, is finally sounding through the dense national ignorance as she expresses her experience with popular astrophysicist and media scientist Neil Degrasse Tyson. In the 1980s, Tchiya Amet and Tyson were in graduate school together when Amet claims Tyson had drugged and raped her in his apartment one evening, according to Amet’s descpriton in a blog post on Patheos. Amet has been pushing her story out on smaller media platforms since 2014, but the case has only recently been gaining momentum. Because of Tyson’s high-profile influence among mass audiences, his work in any variety should be shelved until thorough investigations are conducted and concluded. In order to grant the claims of a sexual assault victim a fair trial, Tyson and anyone accused with serious sexual assault or criminal allegations should be investigated thoroughly to protect citizen rights and social justice regardless of celebrity status or standing.

Assault claims like these are particularly tricky to analyze and investigate due to the varied influence between the involved stakeholders. Much too often, a celebrity who is accused of a crime is treated with a popular bias as mass populations are reluctant to skew their positive persecutions of the person. But these double standards challenge the social justice and democratic liberties of the nation and its citizens. Tyson has denied these assault claims and, as of yet, little action has been taken despite the dispersal of these allegations, according to NBC.

Tyson is an easily recognizable figure in the media, appearing as an entertainment astrophysicist in the T.V. show “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” on FOX and National Geographic. Since his graduation from the University of Texas along with Amet— who had dropped out of school shortly after the alleged assault— Tyson has become one of the most successful modern influencers in the field. His clever wit and profound comments scattered throughout the media have charmed the nation into a seemingly wholesome state of adoration. This character he’s worked so hard to solidify has served as a protectant shield from recent allegations of sexual misconduct, but should not serve as a tool to distract the public from taking these claims seriously. Amet’s claims have been public for five years now, and despite increasing attention in the media, the nation’s apparent admiration for Tyson has dulled the potential for any negative claims about him to become actionable.

His roles as a television and radio host put him heavily in the public spotlight, meaning his national influence is substantially rooted in modern society. What kind of message does it send to mass audiences when the person of influence has been publicly excusing himself from allegations of sexual abuse against a colleague and peer? Clips from Tyson’s lectures and conferences are commonly implemented in academic curriculums which exposes the youngest and most impressionable audiences to the disregard of these serious claims.  

Even more detrimental is the message of inhibition against women pursuing a study or career in already male-dominated fields such as STEM. Astrophysics and other fields with a heavy emphasis on mathematical or engineering-based studies are often saturated by men, and that alone can drive women in the opposite direction. It is intensely discouraging to many women to hear claims like Amet’s and then to watch any attempts of action dissipate out of negligence. Women remain a minority in these fields and have not yet reached the same level of prominance as their male colleagues. So, when a man uses sexual exploitation to leverage power out of a situation, women’s struggle for equal representation is eroded further.

After scrutiny from the public sphere increased in December 2018, Tyson’s podcast StarTalk has been sidelined while Fox and National Geographic conduct deeper investigations. While it is useful that investigations are now underway, it is frustrating to see how long Amet’s claims were disregarded. Tyson welcomes the investigations but warns that these claims pose risk to his career and marriage, according to NBC.

If Tyson is convicted, there is a lot riding on these allegations: his reputation in the media, career as an astrophysicist and personal relationships with his family, friends and colleagues. But these are all appropriate consequences in regard to the crime. If the investigation continues and the claims are ruled static under false pretenses, then Tyson should have nothing to lose. But Amet and many other women’s struggles deserve attention and precautionary actions should be taken until the truth is exposed.

With alleged celebrity assault cases such as this, it can be tricky to differentiate between false pretenses and valid accusations. It is not unheard of for people to make bold claims against a person of power in hopes of getting attention and, in some instances, money. These speculations are important to acknowledge during the investigation process, but all claims should be thoroughly addressed and analyzed.  

Two other women, both former colleagues of Tyson, have come forward with various allegations of Tyson’s sexual harassment, but Tyson continues to disregard the validity and severity of these claims, according to NPR. Whether or not his denial is justified, there is enough public influence resting on this case that immediate action should be taken. Tyson’s work should remain dormant and untouched while the investigation continues in order to protect all parties involved. Educational outlets should limit the incorporation of his work into curriculums and television should postpone the airing of this year’s “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.” Until the investigation has been concluded, Tyson should proceed with caution in his work and his claims. The #MeToo Movement has struck a chord with sexual assault victims nationwide, and Amet’s story should be given power by way of serious investigative action.