Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had harsh words for the #MeToo movement in an interview with CNN’s David Axelrod on Saturday, urging Americans to use caution when accusing men of sexual impropriety, and not to use the movement as an excuse to further marginalize women.
Speaking to Obama White House advisor Axelrod, Rice petitioned women not to become too thin-skinned over male behavior.
“Let’s not turn women into snowflakes. Let’s not infantilize women,” Rice said.
She says she believes that the #MeToo movement, which began in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood mega-producer Harvey Weinstein, has been largely good for the country, and that she’s happy women are finding their voice and speaking out against ill treatment in the workplace. She says that she, herself, has been the victim of sexual harassment, and inappropriate behavior from colleagues.
But, Rice warned, the #MeToo movement could have unintended consequences, including forcing men to rethink having female colleagues.
Rice said she did not want men “to get to a place that [they] start to think, ‘Well, maybe it’s just better not to have women around.’ I’ve heard a little bit of that. And it, it worries me.”