“In September of last year, I met a woman at a party. We exchanged numbers. We texted back and forth and eventually went on a date. We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual.
“The next day, I got a text from her saying that although ‘it may have seemed okay,’ upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said.
“I continue to support the movement that is happening in our culture. It is necessary and long overdue.” – Aziz Ansari
Twitter exploded with people supporting Grace and denouncing Ansari, saying the root of this very deep-seated problem is the normalization of rape culture:
https://twitter.com/JessicaValenti/status/952568652066443264
The Aziz Ansari stuff is a perfect demonstration of how rape culture works and how men are socialized to feel entitled to sex. No, there was no rape, but this thing where men pester women for sex and don't let up, even when it's clear she isn't into it, IS RAPE CULTURE.
— Meghan Murphy (@MeghanEMurphy) January 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/judyberman/status/952693332546813954
https://twitter.com/DavidKlion/status/952700353098723328
I hope this Aziz Ansari story will help people realise what consensual sex actually looks like. You don't have to physically say the word 'no' to mean no.
— jemima✨ (@jemimaskelley) January 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/Femmefeministe/status/952591393490395136
https://twitter.com/RGothoskar/status/952729778070552576
https://twitter.com/historyinflicks/status/952674289337229312
However, there were many who also defended Ansari, pointing to the fact that Grace continued to have oral sex with him even after reportedly feeling uncomfortable and violated:
Someone said Aziz Ansari needs to lose his career… for goin on a date with a chick who blew him twice but didn’t like the experience so she said she was sexually assaulted. AGAIN, these sexual allegations are now a circus
— Barry Spike 🎙 (@SpikeReeds) January 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/SouthernKeeks/status/952679750098710528
https://twitter.com/MakiSpoke/status/952763566813253633
https://twitter.com/TSearcaigh/status/952796401079144448
https://twitter.com/x0x0x00x0x0/status/952806923233046533