#metoo movement
The first time #metoo, the movement was heard of was in the year 200. Tarana Burke, a social activist, had seen the humiliations that young black girls and all the people of color went through. This movement also focused on gender-based violence and sexual harassment that ladies of color faced. Tarana Burke also tried to voice the suffering that the Islamic communities in the United States of America, predominantly Muslim ladies, went through. Me too was majorly a feminist movement that even covered the poor and marginalized people in the community. Over ten years later, in 2017, #metoo resurfaced again in America, concentrating on sexual abuse and rape cases, especially in the film and artists industry. In this work, I will articulately pen down the impacts that the second movement of me too achieved in America and the whole world at large.
On fifth October 2017, when the hashtag #metoo movement resurfaced, Ashley Jude, an American actress, used this hashtag to expose and book their producer, Harvey Weinstein. The movement and revelation took a better piece of the New York Times magazine. In this piece of publishing, the producer was accused of sexually assaulting the artists, especially the junior females and recruits, who needed the producer’s approval to make a debut in the industry. The producer would request sexual favors in return.
Ten days later, now on the fifteenth of October, two thousand and seventeen, another actress Alyssa Milano, made the same commitment. Alyssa Milano tweeted that any lady or anybody who had been sexually assaulted or harassed based on their sexual inclinations to retweet and write #me too in the comment section. It is shocking that more than five thousand Americans had responded and replied in less than one day. This time the movement also took into consideration the rights of gays and lesbians. The information was clear. No one was to be judged, discriminated against, or sexually assaulted due to their vulnerability or choice of sexual subscription or even gender. This movement was so strong. People, especially ladies to whom the movement inspired confidence, came out and spoke and made confessions and shocking revelations about the ordeals they had gone through before the movement.
The year was 2017, December, and the silent breakers were acknowledged as the year’s time persons. This movement did not end, but it grew and established itself. On the seventh of January, during the golden globe award ceremony, the women who attended the event dawned black dresses that symbolized their rebellion against gender based violence, segregation, and even sexual assault. In support of the ladies and women were men, who also came to the event dressed on Times Up pin in generous support. No matter how good this movement seemed to be, it was meted with a little bit of rebellion. The date is 9th January, two thousand and eighteen; a group of a hundred French women and ladies signed an open letter. These ladies felt that the #me too movement had gone beyond its main intention and mission.
With the rising popularity and rapid growth of the movement, Asia never wanted to be left out, and so they also launched the movement from their side. In China, specifically, a group of young ladies also shared their experiences. This was influenced by the #metoo the movement that initially started in the United States of America. The ladies spoke so openly about how senior lecturers and professors asked for sexual favors in return for good marks and grades. The ladies were not shy again to mention that other celebrities, like athletes and even members of the fourth estate, the journalists also sexually harassed the ladies. This is laughable!
In India, the #metoo movement was acted and publicized in their Bollywood movies. This movement took shape in different countries and continents. In South Korea, Seo Ji Hyun, a lady South Korean prosecutor, made open and publicized her encounter and experience of sexual harassment. Due to her social status, her actions inspired confidence among South Korean people, and that is how the movement fount its root in South Korea. In Japan, the #metoo campaign was dubbed #withyou to express their support and togetherness with their neighbors.
Back in the United States, nonprofit organizations and charity organizations were soliciting funds used to drive the campaigns, help the poor, weak, victims of rape and sexual assaults, and the poor people of color. Some of the organizations at the center stage against sexual harassment include RAINN, Just Be Inc, and Time’s Up legal defense fund.
The works of different activists and people in power to raise awareness against sexual harassment started in one area and spread across the globe. This work has positively influenced and changed the face of black women and ladies of color who were initially unable to raise their voices and concerns, with the fear of what might happen. They are now free to talk and talk without shame.