On tonight’s South Asia spotlight, APEX Express producer Preeti Mangala Shekar revisits the much discussed, shared and re-shared #MeToo campaign, but through a disturbing incident from last year, involving “feminist” ally and media personality Aziz Ansari. On the heels of a report detailing the account of a young photographer’s date with Ansari, which quickly degenerated into a harrowing night for her, social media has exploded with both self-proclaimed feminists and others critiquing both parties. But are there two sides? Or just a culture of violence that is trying to pass as normal and routine?

We ask:

What does this incident (and the way people responded to it) tell us about the culture of violence and silence we live in?

How do we hold our male, feminist allies accountable?

What are the uncomfortable gaps in our understanding of complex ideas around “consent,” that incidents like these prompt us to unlearn and learn?

How can we erase toxic misogyny and patriarchy and proactively build the world we want to live in – of authentic consent and freedom for all bodies to explore their desire and sexuality without stigma, fear of violence, or judgement?

How can nuanced feminist analyses translate to lived reality?

Join the discussion on tonight’s South Asia Feminist Special where we also feature commentaries on this issue by a range of South Asian feminists from the Bay Area and beyond.