【A Thought of Ecstasy】

As the number of men in the entertainment industry accused of sexual misconduct endlessly grows,A Thought of Ecstasy we're left with the same haunting question: What do we do with all this information -- this moment of reckoning? How do we make sure we're part of the solution, instead of complicit to the problem?

It's easy to feel paralyzed, powerless, and just plain old tired. That's okay: the problem is complex, and the path forward is equally complicated.

But total apathy is not an option. There's work to be done here, and it doesn't need to cost us more than recognizing our own agency in creating the Hollywood we'd like to see as consumers of the entertainment it produces.

People in positions of power are already stepping up to the plate.

300 women in Hollywood collectively launched the Time's Up initiative. Women in Film launched a sexual harassment and assault help line (at (323) 545-0333)to provide pro bono legal and mental health counsel to survivors. Anita Hill is leading the Commission on Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace, which not only focuses on Hollywood but seeks multi-faceted solutions to the worldwide issue of power, parity, and gender.

Anita Hill, Aly Raisman, Anna Cardenas and Cameron Russell onstage at Glamour's 2017 Women of The Year Awards Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Glamour

Yet the question remains: what do we do?

In support of the push for accountability, and the networks and companies dropping accused predators, there's been a lot of talk about boycotting projects those predators profit from.

Databases like Rotten Apples lets you search shows and films to see whether or not they're connected to someone accused of sexual misconduct. Creep Sheet maintains a comprehensive list of accused people by industry (though accusations are not condemnations, and we should always carefully research the validity of the sources and full context of each case).

These resources can help us make informed decisions about the media we're comfortable watching. But again, the question of how we wield the power of this #MeToo moment still looms.

Because in many cases, boycotts can have adverse effects, harming not only the hundreds of innocent people also involved in the project, but perhaps even the very victims who were forced to work alongside their assaulters and harassers.

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Support the Hollywood you want to see

It's not about boycotting, but supporting films and TV shows with women at the center

Arguably, the more effective form of protest is shifting our attention to creators who disrupt the status-quo of power in entertainment.

"The other side of boycotting is putting your money where your mouth is," said WIF Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer. "It's not necessarily about boycotting, but supporting films and TV shows with women at the center, and behind the camera."

From Schaffer's perspective, getting to the root of the problem in entertainment is "connected to Women in Film's overall mission: which is to achieve gender parity in the industry, on every level of the industry."

Because, she said, when more women and other marginalized people are given positions of power, there is usually a marked decrease in toxic work environments that enable predatory behavior.

As consumers, we hold all the power to shift these tides. The industry tends to listen when we cast our vote for the kind of content we want to see with our wallets and eyeballs, Schaffer said. "There aremovies and television shows made by women. Watch them."

To make that easier, we've compiled our own list of recent and upcoming female-led projects to get excited about, where you can watch them, and which talented Hollywood women are behind them.

This isn't every project in existence, of course -- and we kept the list focused on female directors and writers. We sorted by release date, so you can keep track of when to go out in full force to support women's work.

Protesting could come in the form of organizing group outings to catch a showing of Greta Gerwig's virtually unanimously beloved film Lady Bird. Or don't even get up from your couch: Dee Rees' Oscar-buzzing Mudboundis streaming on Netflix at this very moment. And, of course, don't forget to donate to organizations like Women in Film, who provide vital support to the women making this kind of paradigm-shifting work.

SEE ALSO: The women of Hollywood have a plan to fight back – and not just in Hollywood

Ultimately, Schaffer said, "We want to prevent women's -- and anyone's -- career from being disabled by sexual harassment. And that is what has been happening. And if it means taking some people out of the system, then that's what it means."

In an ideal world, "People would just stop this behavior overall. And it would all end." But in the meantime, let's get more of the talented women Hollywood marginalized in positions of power.

Join and support organizations fighting the issue from every angle

Tackling the ubiquity of sexual harassment and violence on the visible stage of Hollywood sends a message to the world: This abuse ends now. But celebrities are by no means the only victims -- and there is no understating the importance of donating your time and money to organizations at the forefront of the battle to end sexual harassment and assault in all its various forms.

A #MeToo rally outside the Trump International Hotel at Columbus Circle Credit: Erik McGregor/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Here's an (incomplete) list of just a few fantastic organizations working on the issue outside of Hollywood:

• RAINN: The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization provides comprehensive resources, from hotlines, to prevention programs, and judicial advocacy. Donate or volunteer, especially in a time with an unprecedented influx of survivors seeking help.

• Hollaback!: A worldwide movement everyone can join to help fight harassment and take back public spaces, both online and on the street.

• Ultra Violet: A community and movement working to shift the underlying culture of sexism and policies that perpetuate sexual violence.

• Know Your IX: Provides information for students, advocates, and policymakers for policy reform to end gender-based school violence.

• AllVoices: A startup founded by now former Twentieth Century Fox Vice President Claire Schmidt, she now wants to create a tool to empower employees to directly report harassment, discrimination, and bias to CEOs without fear of repercussions.

• Anti-Violence Project: Advocacy group focused on ending violence toward LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities with events, education, advocacy, and resources for survivors.

• 1in6: An organization for male survivors of sexual abuse and violence providing resources to help them live healthier, happier lives.

• Men Can Stop Rape: An organization that helps men create a culture free from violence, especially when it comes to gendered male violence.

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Topics Activism Social Good