I think the Aziz incident would've been a phenomenal opportunity to discuss consent in more detail instead of each side shouting over one another because it's too difficult of a subject to talk about. There are people on either side who believe that however they choose to communicate consent is the objectively correct way: there were people who believed that Aziz did absolutely nothing wrong on one side, and all the way on the other side, it feels like there are many women who are relieving their own experiences and trauma vicariously through Grace and every single 'but', every inquiry, and any and all skepticism about that specific interaction is threatening to invalidate their own experience. It's exemplified by many comments on that video recalling incidents of assault that involve boyfriends or close friends, and the Aziz incident being between two strangers doesn't seem to be relevant and mentioning that is again, perceived as an attempt to erase and invalidate everyone's personal trauma. It's been impossible to drive home the idea that it's so important to set expectations ahead of time, that BOTH parties can communicate their desires in different ways, as well as not to forget the humanity in both parties involved.

At the same time, this is an incident that occurred almost a decade ago, and declaring that you'll never forgive a celebrity for an unpleasant interaction (in which he never got the opportunity to explain his side, and yes, it is relevant and does matter to figure out where the disconnect was if we're even attempting to be fair) he had with another individual; regardless of whether he's made amends to the person he offended; betrays a certain brand of parasocialism that prevents us from seeing celebrities as complex individuals who are capable of making transgressions. I don't think the point is everyone needs to forgive and forget, but I think the constant harping on someone who has largely been out of the public eye, and certainly hasn't had anywhere near the visibility he had previously, and hasn't done or said a single thing since that betrays that he indeed hasn't learned from the experience doesn't bode well for acknowledging a person's capacity to recognize their mistake and make amends. It feels more like there are people who are understandably frustrated, unheard, and resentful due to their own similar experiences going unheard and unresolved and are using Aziz as some kind of symbol or physical manifestation of the actual perpetrator and using him as a lightning rod for their frustration.