Lena Dunham vs. double standards: Opinionline

Kevin D. Williamson, National Review : "Lena Dunham's sexual abuse ... of her younger sister, Grace, (is) the sort of thing that gets children taken away from non-millionaire families. Dunham writes of casually masturbating while in bed next to her younger sister, of bribing her with 'three pieces of candy if I could kiss her on the lips ... anything a sexual predator might do.' ... When her sister is a toddler, Dunham pries open her vagina. ... There is no non-horrific interpretation of this episode."

Robin Abcarian, Los Angeles Times : "If you believe ... that Dunham was actually comparing herself to an adult child molester ... your critical thinking skills are on life support. (Dunham) is an easy target for folks who think that Hollywood-style libertinism is everything that's wrong with America. Her frank sexuality, her perfect ease with her chubby body, her (narcissism) are discomfiting to many."

Matthew Schmitz, First Things : "Dunham has been declared the voice of her generation not because she has anything to say but because she never stops talking. ... It is impossible to understand why as a 28-year-old woman, she would find it necessary to describe this scene. (She) has yet to learn that there are some things about which it is better to say nothing at all."

Jessica Bennett, Time : "Dunham's accomplishments are what feminists should want women to aspire to: She is the writer, director and star, making art about women ... in an industry that is still dominated by men. (Yes, she) creates controversy. Yes, she makes people uncomfortable. But why do we hold her to a seemingly higher standard?"

Samantha Allen, The Daily Beast: "Is Dunham too privileged to fail? Ever since her meteoric rise to fame, (scandals) regularly swirl around her without ever sinking her altogether. ... While white feminists continue to defend Dunham, seemingly out of reflex at this point, non-white feminists are tired of Dunham getting a free pass for behavior that people of color would be excoriated over."

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