Communities of color must stop protecting male leaders who abuse women, even when those men are heroes
Source: Jenisha Watts. "Protecting a Hero Too Long - The Atlantic." March 26, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
The author argues that communities of color often feel pressure to protect their male leaders from abuse allegations, even when those allegations are true. She believes this protection is harmful and that speaking out against abuse actually strengthens movements rather than weakening them.
Conclusion
Communities of color should not protect male leaders who abuse women, even when those men are celebrated heroes whose exposure might harm important movements
Premises
- There is documented pressure in communities of color to protect the reputations of male leaders, even when they have committed abuse
- Dolores Huerta kept Cesar Chavez's abuse secret for 60 years to protect the farmworker movement, demonstrating how this protection dynamic works
- Multiple examples show women being vilified for accusing successful men of color (Cosby, Combs, R. Kelly) of abuse
- Protecting abusive men actually harms movements rather than helping them, as movements should be 'bigger than any one individual'
- Speaking out against abuse is necessary to 'purify' movements and maintain their moral integrity
Assumptions
- Movements and causes can survive and even benefit from exposing the truth about their flawed leaders
- The protection of abusive men is more prevalent or intense in communities of color than in other communities
- Women's safety and truth-telling should take priority over protecting male leaders' reputations
- Historical injustices against men of color create unique pressures that complicate abuse allegations