By: Maansi Maskai
“Me too.” This seemingly insignificant phrase raised an uproar worldwide when it became viral on various social media platforms in October 2017. Individuals from various backgrounds began sharing their personal encounters with sexual harassment in their personal and professional lives by tagging their posts with “#MeToo.” Additionally, this online, worldwide campaign sheds light on sexual harassment by highlighting the true degree of the problem. It also triggered serious deliberations on the traditionally, taboo topic.
The “#MeToo” campaign on social media platforms was initiated by actress-singer Alyssa Milano, who wanted to bring awareness to the growing prevalence of sexual violence, harassment, and objectification in societal culture. On October 15, 2017, Milano tweeted, “If you’ve been sexuaally harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” She added clarification to her tweet with a screenshot that said “If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote ‘Me too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.”
The campaign gained momentum after the renowned Hollywood producer, Harvey Wettenstein, was publicly accused of sexually harassing numerous actresses that had worked with him over the years. This development caused prominent actresses such as Reese Witherspoon, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Beckinsale to come forward to share their experiences with sexual harassment. With celebrities breaking their silence by sharing their stories, people around the world became inspired to come forward with their stories. Individuals began replying to the initial tweet with “#MeToo” accompanied by their story. Some simply chose to reply with “#MeToo.” Since its inception, this tweet has accumulated over 61,000 replies and more than 22,000 retweets. Moreover, “#MeToo” has spread to other social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram as well.
A crucial motivation behind the viral campaign was to show that sexual harassment and violence are not limited to a select few, but that it can happen to anyone. In the flood of posts, individuals described being sexually harassed, raped, or groped in public places, in the workplace, and at home. Some chose to share their long-lasting trauma of being sexually assaulted when they were mere children or teens. Senators and state legislators have also broken their silence on the subject. In an interview with the Providence Journal, Rhode Island State Representative Teresa Tanzi stated, “I have been told sexual favors would allow my bills to go further.”
Although this movement was brought to prominence on social media recently by Milano, the “Me Too” movement was started approximately a decade ago by African-American Community Activist Tarana Burke, who wanted to bring awareness to sexual assault occurring in disadvantaged communities of color. In an interview with Ebony magazine, Burke stated, “[‘Me too’] was a catchphrase to be used from survivor to survivor to let folks know that they were not alone and that a movement for radical healing was happening and possible.”
While many have praised this viral campaign for bringing awareness to this issue, the movement gained criticism from men, who claimed to feel excluded from Milano’s original tweet. Critics raised the point that men were also victims of sexual violence and harassment, although at a lower rate than women. Though the original “Me Too” movement was created by an African American woman, many women of color did not feel quite represented in the movement, since the campaign did not shed much light on the racial objectification and fetishization they encountered when they were being sexually harassed or assaulted. Moreover, several pointed out that not much was said about certain cultural expectations to remain compliant and silent when unwanted sexual innuendos are made.
While such viral campaigns do have the ability to draw criticism and positive attention through thought provoking messages, one may wonder what it will take to curb this dangerous aspect of sexual harassment and assault in society, with sexual objectification being such an integral part of popular culture. What will it take for society to truly understand the meaning of consent?
Sources: The Guardian, Time Magazine, Independent UK