The #MeToo movement has given voice to those who have suffered in silence for maybe hours, days, years, decades, or even a lifetime of sexual harassment and assault. #MeToo has shed light on the awareness and performed first aid on those lives who have suffered brave confrontations.
These people who paved the way, are called by Time “The Silence Breakers.” The Time article displays the men and women who have lifted their voices and spoken out. The story of Tarana Burke who started the hashtag ten years ago is in the Time article.
#MeToo campaign unites Hollywood and their fans
Time indicates the #MeToo’s stature as a social media campaign came to a pinnacle during the accusations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Once actress Alyssa Milano universalized the hashtag, the voices of thousands of women started to share their stories regarding the damage caused by sexual harassment according to CBS News.
Time also highlighted the fact that the harassment and abuse were not just associated with Hollywood and the media. There are men and women who work hourly and salary jobs who have to face this abuse and harassment every day, too. As reported by CBS News, millions of men and women have reached out to say #MeToo.
The call to action produced nearly a million tweets in 48 hours as reported by CBS News.
Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Olympian McKayla Maroney have joined the movement due to personal stories and experiences with sexual harassment.
It's not okay
NPR quoted associate professor, Lisa Huebner, regarding the #MeToo movement, “It helps a lot of people individually, I think, and it also will help us to mark publicly that this is a widespread occurrence, and it’s not okay.”
Time was quoted saying, “This moment is borne of a very real and potent sense of unrest, yet it doesn’t have a leader, or a single, unifying tenet.”
The editor-in-chief at Time, Edward Felsenthal said, “This is the fastest moving social change we’ve seen in decades” quoted CBS News.
This occurred all because of the voices who made their pain and embarrassment known. As the numbers steadily rose for the men and women saying #MeToo, more voices spoke out because of the freedom from telling somebody else whether it is on a smartphone or a laptop.
CBS News indicated a confirmation on Twitter stating in late October there were 1.7 million tweets with the hashtag #MeToo.
Get the word out
A contributor for CBSN, Lynda Tran, is not sitting down and taking the recent events lightly. Her assault began as early as age four by a 60-year-old extended family member. Ms. Tran is wanting to spread the word educating women and men of the dangers of sexual assault and to help prevent it.
Make that change
Out of her hurt and shame, Ms. Tran, like many other men and women, has developed some ideas for us to consider to change our world. I would love to see a world without sexual assault.
1. Have dialogue around the water cooler, the kitchen table, the living room, or at a restaurant. This way if we are talking about it and bringing what was done in the dark out in the light in a safe place, victims will feel more comfortable in speaking out.
I know with my own sexual assault at about four or five years old, I felt like a heavy weight was lifted once I told my psychologist.
2. Please call it what it is. It is sexual assault. Period. Not "boys will be boys" or "misbehavior." There is such a stigma for both the victim and the perpetrator that in light of all these high-profile men coming forward, it is too easy to sugar coat that horrible, shameful act.
3. Take the politics out. All the placating and back-patting in politics only mixes in the lies with the truth. This happens to the point of victims not speaking out. I know in my experiences, a bond is created among the hurting when someone steps into the light and says #MeToo. Politics is so dirty and dysfunctional, there is no room for it here.