Depp’s Win Is a Victory for Truth

Armstrong Williams /

Amber Heard made a social media post after the verdict of her trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp was read, peddling the notion that the outcome is a setback for women. This is shameful, to say the least.

This case was not about women. This case was about nothing other than finding the truth, irrespective of gender. The world and the jury listened to Heard’s testimony and saw the evidence with their own eyes. Unsurprisingly, few people believed a word out of her mouth, and most everyone, including the jury, saw that she was a liar.

Powerful women have used their platforms to propagate completely fabricated lies about domestic violence and sexual assault that supposedly occurred against them. We’ve seen so many despicable instances of this. Look no further than Brett Kavanaugh’s hearings during his nomination process to the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, this is just one of many examples.

The blunt reality is that the “believe all women” narrative is a farce; it only serves to destroy the lives of good men and to make it impossible for men to have their side of the story told, even in cases in which they may be the victim. It should go without saying that men can lie, and so can women. Lying is not exclusive to one gender.

Believe the truth. That is what we should believe, full stop. If you are someone who is quick to judge others without hearing both sides of the story, then shame on you, as you are part of the problem. Depp’s victory is so much more than a personal victory and is perhaps a bigger victory for men across the U.S. than it is for Depp.

The #MeToo movement taught us to automatically believe women, as if they are incapable of lying. Well, they can. Though we should take these matters seriously, we should look at the evidence and facts before we just believe someone because they happen to be a woman.

If an accusation against a man is made, we are to accept the woman’s claims as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. On the other hand, the man is presumed guilty, and regardless of what truth might later arise, he has likely already lost his career, family, friends, and reputation.

However, this isn’t how justice in America is supposed to work. There is a well-established process in which evidence is acquired, and even the accused must have a chance to argue their innocence. Recently, that seemed to no longer been the case, until the Depp/Heard verdict.

Depp is the first man to successfully fight back against this attack and injustice. After Heard wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post stating she was a victim of domestic abuse from a marriage, though not mentioning Depp by name, it was very clear that he was the man whom she was talking about.

The impact her article had on Depp and his work and financial earnings can’t be understated. Companies such as Disney, which owns the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, severed ties with the actor as a result of Heard’s claims.

Now, Depp could’ve done what many have had to do: accept it, lose his career, and become a pariah forever. Instead, he fought back against allegations that were clearly fishy, and the jury agreed with him, as did most of those viewing the trial around the country. He fought tooth and nail to win and to maintain his reputation, his career, and the legacy he’s built through years of hard work and dedication to his craft.

Despite Heard’s social media post, this victory is not to say that, going forward, men will not stand up for women who are actual victims of abuse or assault. This victory should simply remind us that in the United States, justice remains blind and fair, regardless of gender, race, or the woke left agenda.

We must maintain that when an allegation is made, it should be taken seriously, but that does not equate to blindly believing someone because of their gender and ruining someone’s career, livelihood, and reputation because we may not have all of the facts.

As the saying goes, the truth will out. We owe to one another the opportunity for justice.

COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM

The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation.

Have an opinion about this article? To sound off, please email [email protected] and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.