Sean Penn says # MeToo movement serves to 'divide men and women'
Two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn has sparked controversy with his latest comments about the #MeToo movement, saying in an interview that aired on Monday that he was "very suspicious" of a campaign that had divided men and women.
Penn, who was promoting his television debut on Hulu's The First, said the debate was "too black and white" and had been at times too quick to pass judgment on the accused.
"Well, we don't know what's a fact in many of the cases," said the 58-year-old. "The spirit of much of what has been the #MeToo movement is to divide men and women."
Penn had doubts about a movement that is "really a series of many individual accusers, victims, accusations - some of which are unfounded".
"I think it's too black and white. In most things that are very important, it is really good to just slow down."
Penn's remarks generated a backlash on Twitter.
Many users referred to allegations that he had assaulted Madonna during their marriage - claims that the pop diva herself years later said were false.
Comedian Whitney Cummings posted: "Hey Sean Penn, #metoo isn't about "dividing men and women." (...) This is about any kind of abuse of power."- AFP
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