My opinion in the movement I suppose is neutral or in the middle, because I have both positive and negative opinions about it. Postitive: it’s getting women to speak up that never have before and that’s getting the world closer to justice. Negative: It’s good that it’s empowering women to come out about it but it’s not really going to change how perpetrators view the situation, and it’s not going to stop them.
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When I was a Lieutenant in the Air Force, my boss tried to get me to sleep with him. When I didn't, he made my life miserable. Eventually, my deputy commander and former boss helped me with the situation. They sent him to Saudi Arabia. There are happy endings and thanks to #metoo there will be many many more
The #metoo movement has been a huge opportunity for women to speak up about the pain that they gone through. These women now have a voice and a community with in this simple hashtag. I have not participated in this campaign but I have researched and kept up with the powerful and moving movement. Before I heard about the movement I didn't realize how many people were silenced by these men. I now know how incredibly strong these women are, I hope to have half the courage they acquire. The fact that we are now able to talk about something so traumatizing is revolutionary. Women are coming together in ways our culture has not seen before. I believe that we will only move forward with the independence of women. Social media has really helped this movement grow. Millions of diverse women make their own society where they empower each other. There are different ways that people can cope with their trauma, one of those ways is humor. Petruchio, from The Taming of The Shrew by William Shakespeare, humorously harasses Kate. This sparked a new way of looking at abuse and how to handle it. The play pushed women down and took away their freedom. The #metoo movement contradicted that and now our culture is able to use humor to talk about such a hard subject. Our world is only growing in the best way possible.
I think that the #metoo movement is a great opportunity for women to express their hurting that they have been holding in for so long. I myself have not participated in this movement, however the hashtag campaign has definitely impacted my view on sexual harassment. Before the movement, I was unaware of how many people were victimized by sexual harassment, and with the MeToo hashtag, women can express their emotions freely. I do think that talking about these issues can spur change because it brings awareness to men how many women are hurt. I think that the MeToo movement has impacted many people around the world of both genders, however I do not think that this movement has the power to change the way sexual assault is being dealt with. I think social media’s role in this movement has allowed for women of all races, backgrounds, and religions to come together as one and unite against the constant pressure of male harassment. Although this movement has been centered around women’s opinions, I do think that men should have a voice in the movement. Not to debate or defend themselves against the allegations, but to apologize and make peace with the women they have hurt. Arguing the movement would only make it worse, and if men could see how they have hurt the women, they could understand how to fix their actions and opinions. Hopefully together, women around te world can stand up against these hateful crimes.
I feel that the MeToo movement has effectively helped many women. To a man like me, I am fortunate that I do not have to experience such problems and because of that I had know very little about the me too movement. Social media has helped me because it made me more aware of this problem. I think it's a shame that women are being blamed as the victim in our patriarchy. This is similar to the book we are reading in class Taming of the Shrew. The main female character Kate speaks openly about her harassment and because of that she gets harassed and persecuted. The book tries to bring her back into the patriarchy and I believe that we should try not follow the steps that the book does and we should encourage these women and not persecute them like they are in the book. Since we are in a very patriarchal society we should encourage these women and as men we have a very big influence on this society. I hope that this widespread movement can spur some change in our society and actually make a difference. Social media has a huge impact on harassment because it allows people to confess anonymously. Overall, the MeToo movement is such a great way to reveal very serious things that in person would be impossible and social media allows for these women to be open and able to share their real experiences and their real events. These events lead to widespread change and hopefully will culminate in the equality that women deserve.
A few weeks ago headlines of sexual assault and rape sprang up and spread like wildfire. As the hashtag #MeToo was sent into orbit, and Twitter and Facebook blew up: more and more horrible, scum of the earth people were getting the justice they deserved. When it first began, I was amazed at the sheer number of respected people that were secretly monsters. Although I'd been buying their products or watching their movies for years, no part of me felt bad for them or tried to deny the claims. It just came naturally to me that these people deserved no respect and wouldn't get any from me. It seems many others shared the same feelings as almost all deservedly sank from grace like a rock in the ocean. I struggle to put myself in the men and women's shoes, and I truly think the description of bravery in indeed merited. The bravery to tell your story in a world that could humiliate you, ridicule you, or call you a liar is unmeasurable. They people who came out with their stories are heros, not only to themselves, but to the community they inhabit. Because of the #MeToo movement, people have had a community to share their stories safely, and that is extremely valuable in this world. Whether you be man or woman, we can all agree that the #MeToo movement was a great phenomenon and helped our world by creating a safe environment to tell stories of harassment and assault, exposing and deposing monsters in our community, and bringing the respect to the people harmed by these monsters.
I think this movement is a great start to getting women to tell their stories. This has made me so much more aware of how prominent the problem is in our society today, and how women all over the world need to be aware of it. If women continue to share their experiences, I think there will be a change in how people react to hearing the violent and disturbing reality. Before this movement, no one really understood the asperity of this problem. After hearing the voices of victims, people will be more touched emotionally, compared to hearing about it from the news. Social media really helps spread the message, because so many people have access to it, and it is truly the quickest way to spread ideas. Also, social media provides a platform for everyone to share their thoughts and personal experiences with the world. In Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, a marriage is considered to be a financial deal between the father of the bride, and the future husband. Women were expected to be submissive and sweet towards the male figures in her life. They were to obey husbands as they do fathers. If women did not follow these criteria, they had to go through some form of public humiliation. Although this took place a long time ago, it is still extremely relevant to today’s world. It may not seem like it on the outside, but once our community begins to speak up, we will understand how urgent this problem is, and how we have to try as hard as we can to resolve it.
A couple weeks ago, I had not heard about and didn’t know about the #MeToo movement. I learned about the movement when my teacher brought it up as the subject in class. I think the #MeToo movement is really important because it talks about experiences with sexual harassment and puts the spotlight on a topic that would otherwise go hidden in the shadows. When a person brings up a conversation with sexual harassment most people are put on edge due to how serious a topic it is. Constantly talking about a subject like this and having means of spreading experiences and opinions, it points out the wrong in each situation and then encourages change. Just like in the book that we are reading: The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio starves Kate and deprives her of sleep. He also forces himself upon her and tells her many lewd and sexual lines in conversation and verbal combat. In the time of this book, no one stood up for Kate, so the acts by Petruchio continued and the degradation and mistreatment of Kate continued as well. But in the world we live in today, others would stand up for her, speak out about the situation, and society as a whole would typically look down at that person or man that was doing the unjust acts. Due to social media, stories of sexual harassment get more widespread, comments raise more awareness, and there now can be change since it is understood as a big issue and traumatizing incidents for those harassed.
As a young woman myself, I feel that the #MeToo movement is a brilliant way for victims of sexual harassment to find the courage to speak out against the wrongs that have been done to them. More than that, it gives valuable insight to people who haven’t been exposed to this hidden aspect of humanity. Young men and women can learn, from the experiences of others, how to look out for sexual predators and how to protect themselves should they find themselves in a similar situation. Until the #MeToo movement, I had no idea how frequently cases of sexual harassment occurred. They’ve been happening right under our noses all over the world ever since times as early as even Shakespeare. In one of his famous plays, Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare incorporated several instances of sexual harassment in the relationship between Kate and Petruchio. Out of his “love” for her, Petruchio starves and sleep deprives Kate in order to “tame” her strong and fierce personality. He forces her to behave like someone she is not and to agree with him no matter how ridiculous something he says is. This kind of abusive treatment is something that countless men and women in this movement can sympathize with. But unlike Kate, people now are using social media to stand up and fight against these horrible predators so that we can make a difference.
Until our class discussions concerning the #MeToo movement, I was completely unaware of the sheer scale of this event. As a young high school male, how was I supposed to know what was going on without ever experiencing this. A few days ago in class, our teacher asked all the girls in the room a very simple question; “have you ever been sexually harassed?” I thought the question was absurd, I had known some of these women for nearly all my life and to think they had been sexually harassed was a fantasy to me. Every single girl in the class raised their hand. At that moment I realized this was not just a term people were throwing around, it was a serious epidemic that was affecting everyone. Although many have not experienced sexual harassment, such as men like me, it is important for all of us to speak up and fight for everybody undergoing sexual harassment. Especially for men, we should be extremely embarrassed as we are the cause of this abuse. It is our responsibility to fight for those being harassed, and if you do not speak up then you are no better than Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, or Mario Batali. Our class is reading William Shakespeare’s comedy Taming of the Shrew, in which Petruchio humorously harasses Kate, the girl he is trying to marry. By using comedy as a way of speaking of a taboo topic, we can enlighten the world about the true terrors of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is disgusting, it is time to speak up, male or female, it must be stopped.
In October 2017, I spotted a trending hashtag: #MeToo. Not knowing this was for sexual harassment awareness I began to research what this movement encompassed. As I browsed news outlets and other sources of info, I began to uncover the cluster of issues in our modern world originating from sexual harassment. I then began to make connections between all of these events and the play by William Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew. Deep comprehension into this play allows any reader to see that the person that is being called shrew (a bad-tempered or aggressively assertive woman)is Katherine, the woman. As a 9th grade guy (in February 2018), I have heard of numerous complaints about sexual harassment and assault including the Harvey Weinstein Scandal, Bill O'Reilly, to even former president Bill Clinton. The Me Too movement has grown to become the foundation of assistance to women all over the world in order to speak out against any abuse or issues they may be experiencing behind closed doors.
Who knew that just two words could be so powerful? The #MeToo movement encourages people to share their stories of sexual harassment. They bring awareness to the severity and frequency in which it occurs. I have not participated in this campaign, but after reading Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, I had many discussions in class about the movement. We found irony in Kate's speech that indicated she may not be completely “tamed” as many people interpret it. More women, like Kate, in Elizabethan England began to receive education and use their words to battle injustice and abuse, just like we are using our words, or hashtags, to battle sexual harassment. We, however, have an additional tool: social media. Social media serves as a platform for people to share their experiences with the world and spur discussion. I have actually used social media to ask people to sign a petition against holding farm animals in inhumane conditions. I felt relieved when others commented that they too were concerned and signed the petition. As I watched celebrities say "#MeToo," I realized the gravity of this issue. This campaign served as a reality check: sexual harassment is a form of discrimination and can happen to anyone, anywhere. Lastly, I think men do have a place in this conversation because the participation of everyone, no matter what sex, is necessary in order to actually cause a change. It is also important to recognize that men can also be victims and deserve to be heard as well.
The #MeToo movement has allowed thousands of men and women to share their stories of sexual harassment online, allowing them to realize they are not alone and allowing them to support other men and women who have been in similar situations. Although it was amazing for me to see the wonderful community that formed online as so many women and men shared their stories and received such incredible support from so many strangers, the enormity of the responses has really opened my eyes to just how prevalent of an issue sexual harassment is within our society. I have known what sexual harassment was for many years, but I did not know how many women and men suffer from it every day. In my English class this year, we have been reading Shakespear’s The Taming of The Shrew. This play is woven with many misogynistic undertones and has shown me that sexual harassment has been an issue for hundreds of years as I have read about how Petruchio attempts to starve and prevent Kate from sleeping in order to ‘tame’ her. I am so grateful to live in a time when something is finally being done about sexual harassment, and when it is no longer socially acceptable to mistreat a woman or ‘tame’ her like an animal. I am truly grateful for the #MeToo movement because I believe that it has opened up so many conversations that have needed to take place for so many years, and it has given so many women an outlet to share their experiences and receive support from so many other men and women online.
My reaction to the #MeToo movement is a tremendous hashtag because it allows all women to come together to explain their story of their sexual assault. No I haven’t participated in the hashtag campaign. After hearing these heroic women, my whole perspective change on sexual harassment. Many women of many age are suffering from this and many of them have trouble talking about it. My english class just finished reading William Shakespeare’s The Taming of The Shrew. After reading this book and thinking about how Petruchio handles Katherine is sexual harassment. The way he handled her, the comments he made to her, and how Petruchio forces Katherine to marry him is unacceptable in today’s society. The reason why this is unacceptable in today’s society because women are not treated with respect and men think it’s fine to disrespect them. Yes, I think talking about this issue can encourage men and women to put an end to it. Sexual harassment is one of the biggest issue in today’s society and the more people we encourage all over the world can help reduce the numbers or put an end to it. The #MeToo movement is a new point for people because it grabs the attention of many people who have been affected by sexual misconduct. This movement has especially grab celebrities attention and citizens. Yes, social media has played a big role in the discussion of sexual harassment and assault. Famous celebrities spread it all over Instagram, snapchat, or twitter. Social Media has been helpful!!
The #MeToo movement is an example of a pattern that has been developing for decades and will for decades to come. It is not a new phenomenon, and it alone will not end the problem of sexual assault. Movements like it began in the 1970s, when the term "sexual assault" was first used, and since then, activism against sexual assault have grown gradually. I see #MeToo as the expression of this opposition through the new medium of social media, which has allowed it to reach more people and gain relevance in a new way. But because of its nature, the change it seeks will not come suddenly. It does not seek political legislation but societal change, which entails psychological change. Sexual assault is illegal and generally prohibited by employers on paper, which means that true progress lies in educating people and changing their attitudes and perceptions about the issue, which inherently takes time. The impact of this kind of change can be demonstrated by comparisons with the past. In Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," general views about gender can easily be observed, where Katherine Minola, an outspoken woman, is referred to as a "shrew" and considered to be in need of "taming." Since then, the idea of gender equality has become mainstream and both men and women are guaranteed equal rights under the law, but still inequality is pervasive. The human mind is adjusting to the concept of true gender equality, and through movements like #MeToo we can accelerate this adjustment.
Before today, I had never heard of the #metoo movement. I had also been completely blind to how many violated women are coming together, sharing the same stories. The movement is an amazing step towards change, following horrific acts of men. This movement caused my mindset to change, because before I had no idea to what extent sexual harassment had gotten to, and i’m sure this movement will spread that message. The reason I found this movement was inspired by Shakespeare’s Taming Of The Shrew, where Petruchio’s actions and the ways he speaks towards Kate clearly fall under this arena. His and other men’s actions like this should not be tolerated, and I think this movement is a big step towards that message. In Shakespeare’s comedy, there are many controversies, just like in today’s society. Discussing sexual harassment in a modern form (like a hashtag) can spur change in society, which is the goal. Speaking out will not stop sexual harassment single handedly from happening, but it will be able to change the way it is currently handled.
In Act IV of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, Kate proclaims that her “tongue will tell the anger of my heart./ Or else my heart, concealing it, will break.” To me, this sentiment sounds familiar to many of the #MeToo posts circulating on the internet. While I personally have not posted a #MeToo post or spoken out about something of this magnitude, the influx of tweets and Instagram videos have made me consider what sexual harassment really is. Prior to the #MeToo movement, I believed that sexual harassment was taboo, and tried not to think or talk about it. But now, after reading and discussing Taming of the Shrew in English class, and seeing #MeToo tweets cross my feed, my view on harassment has changed. I realized that harassment has affected so much of the population and that something needs to be changed in society. I do believe that talking about issues such as this can spur change, but in order to do so, there has to be a lot of talk. If enough people talk, their collective voice will be heard, and it will be so deafening that action will have to be taken to silence it. Social media is how this voice will rise and has provided the perfect outlet for people to speak their hearts. Social media has allowed both men and women to voice their ideas and opinions on various topics, but specifically subjects like harassment or school shootings. All in all, the #MeToo movement ignited a flame, which went on to start a wildfire of change.
I think that this is so different from Anita Hill case as social media and technology allows many many more women to speak out through Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. Attaching #MeToo can add exposure as if one searches “#MeToo” then all the posts that have that tag allowing a whole library of videos and accusations to be put in a catalog. The Butterfly Effect I can see being both a cause and not the cause of this whole chaotic situation. I can see how if one person speaks, Ashley Judd, then it gain traction. However, I wouldn’t classify Ashley Judd as a tiny butterfly as stated as what Butterfly Politics are. Ashley Judd is a name that carries weight, much like stated earlier in the article as, “When you have Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow in the same sentence, well, people take note.” Those names carry weight and so does Judd. However when many of these never heard of before names of women accuse someone, people don’t take note. They mainly see the number of accusers go up not the name of the accusers. I think that the right people had to start the movement or else the it wouldn’t have gained traction. I think that we have reached the tipping point of the ‘frame’. I believe this as now action is being done by businesses and corporations to exile those that violated these women. Not even 3 years ago these stories weren’t making the news or people weren’t getting fired. Now, since action is being taken the ‘frame’ of what is acceptable or not has changed drastically.
The Ms. Magazine article about Sexual Harassment in the workplace was released over 40 years ago. The topic was so intense that the editors had to use puppets instead of an animation or drawing in order to convey the message of the purpose of the article. Although these measures were taken, the article and issue was still banned from some marketplaces. Over 88 percent of women have reported some sort of harassment in the workplace throughout their careers. After the Anita hill case the increase of complaints went up over 70 percent in 1991. Similarly to the Harvey Weinstein case Anita accused Judge Thomas of mistreating her and sexually harassing her. However the Weinstein case is more of safety in numbers type thing. I think that a lot more women are coming out and accusing Weinstein of these cases as they won’t necessarily be singled out as there are dozens of other women accusing him of the same thing. Another different thing is how there are these “silent co-conspirators” who knew about the incidents or actions but didn’t do anything about it. The “click” moment is the moment the first accusations started pouring in. Once a few people had pushed the “snowball” it gained traction and picked up more snow and power. Eventually it got big enough to cause Weinstein to get fired and others including Matt Lauer and Bill O’Reilly.
In our English class, we are reading The Taming of the Shrew, and as part of a class discussion about the abusive behavior in the book, my teacher asked all the girls in the class to raise our hands if we had ever been catcalled, or sexually harassed in any way. Interestingly, every single girl raised their hand, and every single boy expressed complete surprise. I had heard of the #MeToo movement before, but its power and importance did not strike me until that moment. Sexual harassment has long been viewed as taboo, and women have been reluctant to speak about it. #MeToo creates a platform for women all over the world to share their stories, and because it uses social media, these stories spread faster and farther, making it easier to spur discussions. The more women hear that they are not alone, the more likely they will be to speak up. And the more people hear these stories, the more likely people will do something to stop sexual harassment. While change certainly won’t occur overnight, #MeToo starts the vital conversation that will lead to a monumental reshaping of our societal views and our responses to sexual harassment. As Kate says in The Taming of the Shrew, “My tongue will tell the anger of my heart. / Or else my heart, concealing it, will break” (IV.III.82-83). Now is the time for us to speak up.
Sexual misconduct against women has been ongoing and accepted in almost every culture throughout history. This is evident in William Shakespeare’s play, the Taming of the Shrew. During the time the play was written, it was widely acclaimed, despite the mistreatment of women detailed within the plot. A main character, Kate, was ridiculed because she did not fit the conventional “obedient and quiet” mold of a woman. Her husband, Petruchio, treated her as an object, married her for her dowry, sexually abused her, and deprived her of food and sleep. To survive, Kate feigned submission as she knew resistance to her husband would be futile.
Based on the recent “#MeToo” movement, our society has not made much progress since the time of the Taming of the Shrew. We continue to suppress the abused and enable the abusers. I applaud these courageous women for stepping forward and sharing their personal experiences. What we need is a cultural shift: instead of degrading and mocking the victims of sexual abuse, we need to encourage and protect them for their bravery and for representing not only themselves, but also those who have yet to find the courage to stand up and fight for themselves. We need to harness the power of the social media, make this a turning point in our culture, constantly keep it within our social conscious, and never go back to the status quo again. And we must continue the conversation and shine a light on the perpetrators, so they will never do it again.
I had vaguely heard of the term sexual assault, but I never knew of how widespread it was. I think that the #MeToo movement has done a great job in highlighting the problem of sexual assault because it has started a nationwide conversion about sexual assault. This is truly a turning point in our culture as it started a long overdue discussion about the way women are treated in the workplace. Social media has been especially helpful to this movement since i has allowed more women to come forward to share their thoughts and experiences. The #MeToo movement reminds me of Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew, which I have been reading in English class. In the play, a father states that he will only allow his younger daughter to get married after his older daughter gets married. His elder daughter, Kate is a rebel and defies traditional female gender roles, while the younger daughter, Bianca, represents the stereotypical passive and meek female character. If more women can defy gender stereotypes and be like Kate, then less men will feel that they can take advantage of women. Also men will start to respect women for their character instead of simply their looks.
Before Monday, February 5, 2018 I never heard of or came across the #metoo movement. I have never even participated in a hashtag movement before. After watching and listening to a few incredibly strong women share their horrific stories, I had a new understanding of what sexual harassment and assault is. I have been completely blind to how often it happens to women older than me and even to many my age. In my english class we are reading William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. After reading about what sexual harassment is, the way Petruchio treats Kate is sexual harassment. The comments he makes, the way he touches her, and how he forces her to marry him. This is all extremely disgusting and seems forced upon her. Communicating and speaking out is key to getting a message across. If people are educated and aware that a crisis is happening, it is more likely they will try to do something about it. I think that the #metoo movement is a new turning point for people who have been affected by sexual misconduct. It has grabbed attention of everyday citizens and well known celebrities. Social media plays a large role in the discussion around sexual harassment and assault. People spread the word about it via twitter, Instagram, and other social media apps. Chats and profiles have been made for women and men to come together to share their stories. Social media has spread this movement all over the U.S, catching the attention of so many wonderful people.
I do think that the #MeToo movement is a “watershed moment” in our culture, but it will definately be an odyssey. It is allowing women to realize three things: 1) No, they’re not alone. 2) Yes, this is a big deal. 3) Yes, there is something they can do about it. They can speak up, or even go to trial, righting this awful wrong while simultaneously encouraging other women to do the same - it’s an endless cycle. But still, it’s a cycle of abuse and atrocious behavior. Still today, men (and sometimes women) are constantly getting away with sexual harassment far more than what is acknowledged due to unfair court rulings and terrified, lonely victims who don’t speak up. In Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio and Kate’s first meeting is full of insults, half of which are Petruchio spitting dirty lines at Kate. I’m sure that most of the readers, myself included, didn’t even flinch at those lines, and maybe even laughed at them. It’s just so common to hear these things nowadays. The #MeToo movement is helping women stand up for themselves and finally bring some acknowledgement for how big a problem this really is. To conclude, change doesn’t happen overnight, but the #MeToo movement is definitely making a start.
I knew sexual assault was a problem, but I had no idea it was this pervasive. The #MeToo movement has introduced me to a sinister reality of society. When my English teacher asked if any of the girls in my class had been sexually harassed, more than half of them raised their hands. I was shocked to find that, despite how profound this conflict is, it is still a taboo of discussion. I support #MeToo in its entirety. #MeToo and social media provides a microphone and platform for us to be heard, but it also gives us the ability to unload the burden of suppressed secrets. Why should women bear the weight of the offenses? In English, we are studying The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. My teacher paused to educate us on sexual harassment before continuing with the book. She explained how Petruchio and Katherine’s dynamic is a blatant form of sexual harassment. Petruchio deprives Katherine of food and sleep, claiming that he is “taming” her attitude and strength. This scene is akin to how insecure men attempt to break an empowered woman’s mind through sexual harassment. Through this education, my class as a whole has gained a better understanding of sexual harassment. With the popularity #MeToo is gaining, it could improve society’s issue with sexual harassment. Though #MeToo is focused on women, the public should not take it to the extreme and say all men are evil. Some men have been sexually harassed; they deserve to be heard as well.
With the recent attention the #MeToo movement has gotten from the media, I cannot help but compare it to William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. In the same way social media allows for sexual assault to be discussed, Shakspeare's play gave audiences the opportunity to absorb their own subtext of his controversial play. Although there are many views of Taming Of the Shrew, most get categorized under either of these two central themes: misogynistic and demeaning towards women, or a comedic and light-hearted approach about women in that time. Either way, they both create discussion; discussion causes change, and change is what’s important. Social media is a gateway for voices worldwide to be heard; Whether it is on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or Facebook, anyone can speak up. Comedians like Amy Schumer continue the conversation Shakespeare started by using comedy to send a message that is easier for the public to hear, and with the help of social media, words like Schumer’s reach audiences worldwide. Schumer’s skits, #MeToo tweets, and youtube confessions flood our social media; intensifying the seriousness of sexual assault, furthering the conversation, and stripping down the closed-minded idea that sexual assault is something taboo, something to avoid. Shakespeare may not have given women of his time the utmost respect, but he started something that is not even close to ending; he started the conversation.
I occasionally speak to my friends about the horrors that happen to women but recently in class we have started discussing this in relation to The Taming of the Shrew and how Petruchio treats Katherine very physically. Until she is forced to marry him. This movement has brought it to my attention how many women have truly been violated. I can’t empathize with the men and women who have been assaulted but I can now sympathize with these men and women. I wholeheartedly believe speaking out about these issues is how we spur change. The more we talk the more people who will realize the horrifics of these situations and the boundaries in the different relationships you have in life. I believe this will change society's viewing of sexual misconduct from a sporadically occurring offence to a common threat in the workplace. These people have found social media as a main source of vocalization because of the popularity of the platforms and the openness. There are few restrainments of opinion on social media platforms and millions of people who are active on these platforms so the metoo movement could radiate to the users. On the topic of men participating in this movement I confidently think the men who were harassed have a voice, even though it is sometimes seen as subordinate. Men who haven’t been harassed also should support the women who have been assaulted and the movements concerning this topic. If men don’t speak up about this topic no men will seek the change we need.
The #MeToo movement has spread around the world helping everyone with sexual harassment or assault. As being only a 9th grader guy, I was unaware of the world around me until I first heard about the movement. It opened my eyes to a reality I thought didn’t exist and showed me that the world isn’t perfect. It wasn’t the words that stood out to me, it was the actions of people banding together for something that they believe is right and giving a helping hand to those in trouble. In Taming of the Shrew, a book that is debated to be sexist, Shakespeare uses actions to express the ideas of Kate, the “shrew”, when she fights back against Petruchio, her suitor and “tamer”. However, she is pushed back and held back when Petruchio announces their marriage. I believe that this is how most sexual harassment victims feel, silenced. They do have the right to talk and spread their own ideas, social media has been a great outlet. It won’t be until everyone knows about the movement and understands the movement that real change will follow.
I think the #MeToo movement is a very powerful and bold movement. I feel that the movement has created a huge stepping stone of opportunity that has and will lead to change within our society. I honestly cannot think of a single girl I know that can’t relate to the movement in one way or another. I personally have not posted #MeToo because I do not have a twitter. I think the movement has opened up my mind and realize that a lot of women since the beginning of time have been forced into unwanted situations; just as Kate from Taming of the Shrew was forced into dating Petruchio. While Kate ended up falling in love with Petruchio, that is not always the case, some people end up having the opposite outcome of emotional and physical abuse. The more and more people talk about this the more change can occur. Everyone's stories matter even if it's just a couple simple words strung together. Words lead to actions. Actions lead to change.
I am both saddened and glad that this is finally happening. Saddened, because I did not realize the extent to which it went on. Glad, because everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work and in general. I want to ensure that my behavior and that of my friends and family never makes women uncomfortable in this way. We as men can do better, and we will. One thing that I want to know moving forward is where do we draw the line between sexual harassment and courtship? Men are still, in today’s world, the ones who are seen as responsible for initiating relationships. How should we conduct ourselves in dealing with this reality? It’s obviously unacceptable when a powerful 70-year old man is making advances on women far beneath him in a corporate hierarchy, but what about colleagues of equal seniority? Where is the line that should not be crossed? As a man I would genuinely like to know. You could say that there should be no romance in the workplace, but this ignores that many legitimate relationships start at work and will continue to, even if prohibitions on it were put in place (as they often are).
Clearly comments meant to insult or degrade women are unacceptable and have no place anywhere, and unsolicited physical touching also seems obvious to include. What other behavior should not be tolerated both in and out of the workplace? I have always tried to air on the side of caution in courtship, often to my detriment, because I don’t know the answer to this question.
I agree with Michael Kimmel that we are experiencing a "tipping point" in society and history. For example, nowadays, many people realize that having a chauvinistic mindset is not acceptable and that women are human beings that should be respected as well as anyone. Throughout many years, women have increased the power of their voice and can express themselves with no one bringing them down. Now, with sexual harassment and abuse, it is really disappointing to know that it occurs and it is sad to hear about it, but at least victims (male and female) are speaking up and seeking justice to their aggressors. Related to sexual abuse, the LGBTQ+ communities, and sexuality in general, taboos are stooping to be taboos and more individuals are open to talking about these topics. So in that way, things are changing, people are becoming better but also there is more controversy among people who do not assimilate change positively. Hopefully, this "tipping point" continues to develop and improve the world we live in.
I agree and do believe we are experiencing a tipping point in history. Recently the idea of the female gender has changed within society. Before, actions that promoted chauvinism and gender inequality were seen as common and normal, but as time passed, these became rejected by society and seen as wrong. Nonetheless, sexual harassment towards women has remained as a taboo, though a more accepted and treated subject, as it has become a wide world problem. Woman in society have been always seen as inferior or less valuable than a man, which has been drastically changing over the last years. This can be considered the “tipping point” we are living during the 21st century regarding sexual assault and gender inequality. Women have spoken out about their personal stories through social media, rising awareness for everyone ay all economic classes. They have stopped any kind of discrimination, though not completely yet. I believe we can make this significant change happen for the benefit of everyone as a society.
I believe that we are somewhat experiencing a tipping point. I think that there are somethings that now we view as cruel and inhumane that were greatly encouraged and accepted in the past. Before, black people were enslaved with ease, and slave trading was greatly encouraged. Now a days, people view slavery and racial discrimination as vile and inhumane actions. Although this change is not slightly as drastic, I still believe that humanity is reaching a "tipping point" when it comes to sexual harassment. I think that in modern day society more people are able to seek help and speak up about their issues and struggles with this terrible action. I also believe that people are more aware, and are now realizing how much of a problem this is world wide, and are deciding to take action and trying to do something to help both previous and potential victims. There have also been many movements and protests in various south american countries attempting to adress this issue.
I think we are experiencing a tipping point. People are now realising that sexual violence, may this be physical or emotional, should by no means be tolerated. However, the fact that people are realising this right now does not mean it has ever been okay in the same way that segregated water fountains were never okay, they were simply normalised. This topic should have received attention a long time ago.
Pt.1
I believe what the sociologist Michael Kimmel means when he says, “There comes a tipping point when the ‘frame’ changes. One day, segregated water fountains seemed ‘normal’ if you were a white Southerner,” he noted. “It’s just how things were. Then they’re illegal, and a few years later you say, ‘Wow, how did we ever see that as O.K.?’” is that the views of people on certain topics are constantly changing. Our thoughts and ideas are being influenced on a daily basis by what we live through and this inevitably affects how we view the world and what we perceive as wrong and right. I myself have experienced a change of view on certain topics after what I have lived through and I believe that everyone goes through this process although many may not realize they do. I agree with what Kimmel says about there being a "tipping point" in which the general perception of something changes and I think that this occurs thanks to certain events that happen throughout history.
I believe that, depending on our environment and our surroundings, we learn to differentiate what is good or bad in our society. For this reason, it is difficult to imagine other cultures and lives. For example, if we grew up in an indigenous community, our way of perceiving and accepting the world would be different that if we grew up in an environment surrounded with technology. I believe that because environment and culture affect our development as human beings there are differences in terms of social acceptance. For instance, a child born in a homosexual family will be more likely to accepting homosexuality and non-conformist families; however, a child born in an extremely religious and homophobic household is less likely to accept non-conformists. We are shaped by our surroundings. Nevertheless, the world is changing and molding since curiosity is flourishing as humans desire to learn and explore. There are more opportunities for different ethnicities, genders, and races to discover alternate ways of living life. Even though the environment in which we grew up shaped us, the world and the actions we take every day also cause meaningful change in who we are and want to become as a person. We have a choice in who to be in life, and we are not the circumstances and the situation (good or bad) that have occired to as, but the actions we take from there and what we do to help ourselves and others.
I do agree with the sociologist Michael Kimmel, things that today seem wrong to us was completely normal to people before. For example, people before were a lot more conservative and today many young adults have tried to change the perspective of life. I do think we are in a "tipping point" because recently people have decided to stand up for themselves and fight for their rights. Specifically, in this article, women are starting to stand up for sexual harassment, something that many women have faced for a long time in history. Right now I do think that how were these actions seem as alright or as "it's just another one". I am glad that women who have experienced these horrible situations stand up for themselves without fear, there are many more women that will defend them and that have lived through the same struggles.
I like that women talk about this. They shouldn't just hide these problems from the world. Talking about these issues might spur change but who cares. You said it to the world you can relax now. There is one question I have. Why do men do this? That confuses me the most. Social media is a major role in these discussions. I think that men do have a place in this conversation. They should say why they do these things to women.
pt 2I don’t know if the abusers in some of these stories will ever be caught, but this movement is almost as a way to move on. It’s almost like these people who are sharing something about their life, is them learning that it happened, and they no longer need to dwell on it. Sexual assault affects people a lot, and sharing it, for some of these people, is like finally letting go and no longer feeling so terrible for the things that have happened to them. This movement has definitely started something that will not end anytime soon. People are learning they can have the courage to stand up for themselves and tell their stories. Seeing these stories is almost inspiring. After reading ands listening to these people talk about what happened to them, I feel as if I would have the courage to tell someone, if it ever happened to me.
Social media has always connected people, but when people go through the same terrible thing, it connects you in a different way. The people who have had the same struggles are able to talk without being judged.
Sexual harassment is no joke, and it happens more often than not. From physical harassment, to verbal harassment it all falls under the wide umbrella of sexual harassment... a too wide an umbrella to say the least. The #MeToo movement which many women (and men) have re-tweeted and participated in made me feel extremely disappointed with our society. There should not be tens of thousands of women that respond with #MeToo, there should be none. This campaign shows the enormity of the problem of sexual harassment, and how something must be done about this violation of women's rights. People should know, a woman's body is not to be owned or used, we as women are powerful and beautiful human beings that deserve to be respected. If anything this campaign gave many women courage to share their stories, even through people and the media labeling sexual harassment as something to keep quiet about. All the women that shared are starting a movement where sexual abuse will be talked about and NOT tolerated. I just hope that in the near future no new women will have to ever say #MeToo.
pt 1
The #MeToo movement has been amazing. It has encouraged women and men to tell their stories of sexual abuse, and raise awareness to the fact that this happens a lot, not just in hollywood. I have not participated in this campaign, but to participate you definitely have a lot of courage. Najwa Zebian tweeted “I was told not to talk about it. I was told that it wasn't that bad. I was told to get over it.” I’m sure it’s a terrifying feeling, knowing what’s happening to you is wrong, but not being able to say anything out fear. This campaign has really had a big impact of how I view sexual assault. Before learning about this, I thought that sexual assault was something that didn't happen very often, and was primarily a man attacking a woman. I’ve learned that anyone can be assaulted, men, women, children, and it can happen in any circumstance. You can still be sexually assaulted if you are in a committed relationship, and that is why consent is so important.
1
I completely agree with Michael Kimmel’s claim; in fact, I think it symbolizes history, and how historical events reflect humanity. As time goes by and ideologies change, society has accepted new ideas that were previously neglected. As an example, the LGBTQ community years ago was seen as a terrible group; however, as governments and leaders begin to accept new tendencies, people worldwide have also accepted these groups. I think it is admiring that society did not respected previously the LGBTQ group since it goes against The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, especially article #2 Do not discriminate which states that the rights belong to everybody, no matter our differences (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 2009). On the other hand, I do think we are experiencing a “tipping point” because society nowadays has opened to new perspectives, and has analyzed the importance of respect towards everyone. As a result, many aspects have changed in the 21st century such as respect towards the LGBTQ public. To conclude, I do agree with this statement, and believe that we are experiencing a “tipping point” currently.
I think that the #MeToo movement was always eventually going to happen. Many women hide their feelings or do not share their experience with sexual assault publically, and it was just a matter of time before women spoke out against sexual assault and shared their stories. What strikes me from the video is that many of the women share that they were very young or still in college when it happened to them. I think that this is one of the more important parts of their stories. Young women can be easily manipulated and can be taught to keep quiet about actions that they have experienced or seen. The #MeToo movement provides a method of publicly sharing specific stories and having thousands of people see it. These videos can help educate young women on what to do and also what not to do when dealing with a similar situation. I think that the women who shared their stories through video are very brave because sharing something like that can cause backlash and hate from the public or the media, but still many women are sharing their feelings. Like Anna Codrea-Rado said in the Op-ed “Tens of thousands of people replied to the message.” from Alyssa Milano that told women to share their personal stories of sexual assault. Some went into detail and some just simply wrote Me Too, but all in all women expressed their voice and told the world what had happened and that is very difficult to do.
The #MeToo movement began with a few Harvey Weinstein allegations but has rapidly picked up and evolved in the recent weeks. This is a monumental moment in society as it puts the incredible amount of sexual assault cases into perspective. The idea that so many women were keeping this a secret from even their closest friends and family is appalling. This movement has really exposed the film industry, as there have been countless stories surrounding film directors, cameramen, etc. harassing the female actresses on set. The most disturbing part of all this, perhaps, is the number of bystanders in these instances; people who knew about the things these women were going through and swept it under the carpet, even going as far as encouraging them to be quiet about it. I do, however, think that there has been some fault with the #MeToo movement. On several occasions, women are unfairly generalizing and stereotyping all men into these categories. It’s important to be able to criticize the perpetrators and bystanders, but people innocent in this scenario. I have also seen false allegations under the #MeeToo movement. The problem with this is that the people accused (falsely and truthfully) have irreversible damage done to their lives involving closed career opportunities and general opinion. I general, think that we are going to see a lot of changes following this movement, in the ways that we treat women and how we go about dealing with sexual assault.
In France, we have the hastag "Balance ton porc" (trash your swine). It's the equivalent campaign on social networks. Some people think "trash" is a very violent word.
Others say it recalls World War II and the hunt and denunciation of Jews in Europe, but I don't agree. You can't compare justice for women and genocide.
But #MeToo is maybe more appropriate.
In my opinion, despite the tragic circumstances, it's a very good movement, because it liberates the words of women. Another good point: it captures the attention. Now, sexual harassment is in the center of the debate. I expect it's just the start of a big movement against patriarcal society.
Following all Harvey Weinstein accusations, #MeToo has appeared online.
It's used to denounce sexual harassment and assault, messages mostly posted by women. Personnally, I didn't participate in this movement, but I followed it on social medias like Twitter or YouTube.
It really helps to realise how much sexual harassment is widespread today, and what kind of impact it has on victims.
I think this hashtag can really help fighting against sexual abuse.
A lot of people have come together and the result is here : most people have heard about #MeToo at least once since it started, and I think that's a positive point.
But I see one negative point : women tend to put all men in one category, while many are very respectful and kind to them.
I'm not sure I agree with your negative point. Women are not putting all men in this category and nobody is saying all men are bad. There are men who sexually abuse women, there are men sexually abuse men, there are women who sexually abuse men, there are women who sexually abuse women. This movement is not a movement to spread hatred of anyone, it is to encourage people to tell their stories so someday no one has to be afraid to speak up about the sexual abuse they get, and that the abusers are getting the punishment they deserve.
1
In France, the #MeToo movement is as visible as in America. It's named #BalanceTonPorc (Rat Your Pig).
I think the #MeToo movement is a good thing. In my opinion, women should talk about sexual harassement.
I hope that men who used to do it or wanted to do it will be intimidated and embarrassed. I also think it's good that personalities that people love take sides and react. It helps women to talk about it.
actually it' only female personnalities who do, men also talk about it. Some of them support women and want things to change. And I think is great; women don't have to face those situations alone.
I saw a panel on TV this morning of powerful professional women sharing their thoughts on the issues of sexual harassment and abuse. The women referred to one another as "you guys". Isn't this demeaning to women? Doesn't referring to yourselves as "you guys" take something away from the beauty and essence of what women are? Why use a term for males in referring to yourselves? It seems to me that this is a subtle form of cultural hegemony, i.e., the slow erosion of borders that over time become lost and not seen or realized so that the "woman-ness" of women becomes obscured. Women are not "you guys"; you are "you gals" or girls or whatever you prefer, and while I don't want to reserve "guys" for us men just because, it seems to me that women need their own language to define themselves. Frankly, I think the sorry state of the world today is because men have been largely in control. I think women are more thoughtful, sensitive and compassionate, and having more women in positions of power, particular in politics and the workplace, would go a long way to softening the world, to humanizing it. You women are not guys and shouldn't aspire to be.
In some ways the feminist movement did us all a disservice -- many women didn't want just equality but instead wanted to do what men had done, i.e., to be above the others and to have enough power to keep people under their thumbs. In doing so, women sometimes took on characteristics of men that would better be left out.
Answer to the third question:
I believe that if you never talk about something as serious as sexual harassment it will never be fixed. Sexual Harassment seems to be getting worse and may never stop due to how people go about it. First I want to say that I believe that the #metoo moment shouldn't even be a thing, it just shouldn't happen. People need to learn when enough is enough and also that what you wear is not the reason you are raped or harassed. The issues needs to be handled a lot more serious rather than saying "oh its a boy, that what they do". I don't think things will ever return to how they have been if it isn't recognized first. Society needs to stop making it look to boys as if its okay to look at a girl uncomfortable or say sexual things.
Answer to the fourth:
I believe that the younger generation is taking the #metoo movement a lot more serious than older generations. I believe that social media has played a negative role on sexual harassment. I say that because in our generation, girls post half naked pictures or say some stuff that could lead up to harassment. Sexual harassment starts up with something little like a slutty picture being posted but then turns into someone being assaulted or raped. I think social media is the reason why boys are the only ones at blame for this. Girls and boys both need to start taking the #metoo moment a lot ore serious and maybe sexual harassment will slow down and there will be less cases.
I agree with what you have to say about sexual harassment being a prevalent issue that may never be fixed, I also am a bit confused by your other statements about 'slutty' pictures and how that 'leads' to harassment. Maybe I am misinterpreting your statements, but I think it is extremely incorrect to say that posting a 'slutty picture' is the reason why people are harassed. People having no respect for boundaries and no human decency is what causes assault, not a girl posting a picture. If you leave your house unlocked, do you deserve to robbed? Is the robbery still illegal? Yes. So why should people have to change what they post? We as a society need to focus on training people NOT to rape and assault, not train what or what not to post in fear of being violated.
Answer for the second question:
It has been seen under many accounts that when people speak up and talk about things, that it will change. The act of being sexually assaulted by another person might not change, because we are not able to change the way people act, but we will at least be able to change the way it is currently being handled. Men and women are being assaulted and the only way to fix the problem is to bring it out and talk about it, nothing is gonna happen if we continue to push the dirt under the rug and we continue to pretend that everything is okay, because it's not. If we continue to talk about being assaulted then something will change.
Answer for the fourth question:
Social media has played a huge role in making it easier for people to talk. In the #MeToo situation it has made more people comfortable with sharing their stories. No matter what happens to us we are still people and we need to feel like we are not alone. Social media has played such a huge role in bringing together a community of people who were afraid to be the only one. Social media can and will help many men and women find the courage they need in order to seek the peace they need.
I was honestly shocked when I saw the #MeToo campaign spread across multiple platforms of social media. Because of my own experiences, I have always though that sexual abuse was something you should keep quiet, because it was something to be ashamed of. I was also shocked by the amount of people who participated in the movement. Within days of hearing about it, I was seeing it everywhere. Although I never participated, the #MeToo movement has helped me realize that I was not alone and made me feel more comfortable about talking about these sensitive topics. I think that because of how influential social media is in our society, this movement has spurred changed because it has allowed people to feel empowered by hearing about other's experiences and come forward and share their own. Most sexual offenders are never incarcerated because their victims are too scared to come forward. Our society perpetuates a culture that is ashamed of talking about sexual assault in normal situations. I think that by normalizing talking about sexual abuse by using social media, it may help sexual abuse victims feel confident and safe enough to tell their own stories and convict their abusers.
Answer to second question:
I think that talking about sexual assault cans spur change. In order to fix a problem, you must recognize it first. Society as a whole can no longer make victims of sexual assault feel as if they are in the wrong. If anything, The United States of America promotes this type of behavior. Not only are victims are constantly told that it is their fault, or how they shouldn't of been wearing that, our society is literally saying “boys will be boys”. By, saying “boys will be boys” you are encouraging men to make irresponsible decisions with no consequences! We must continue to talk about these issues everyday until we see a change, and eventually, we will.
Answer to fourth question:
I think that social media has played multiple roles when speaking about sexual assault. The press is constantly making titles of articles that in its own way blames the victim. Sexual assault is not taken seriously by lots of people, and social media isn't always actively fighting against that. That being said, lots of times when people post things that the #METOO movement, or anti-sexual assault posts, they typically become viral on twitter, instagram, and snapchat. I think that the younger generation on social media is promoting against sexual assault and talking about it actively, while the older generation online is doing the opposite.
I have other questions.
1. The "badness" of harassment complaints vary from those that are obviously bad (threatening, abusive -- I'm not including rape in the list)
-- to a single glance, or hug or even a possibly mistaken comment or "look."
Not everyone would agree that every complaint amounts to sexual harassment. So many are complaining, but not much if a anything is said about appropriate punishment? Should the consequences for one found "guilty" always be the same? (For example: fire everyone deemed guilty?)
It seems much more difficult to address consequences than to make allegations.
2. Is it wrong to wonder how many of the maybe millions of complaints being made public are legitimate and how many are exaggerated or even false?
3. And because most women know better than most men what they think is sexual harassment, can people provide examples of women behaving badly?
Few believe sexual harassment in the workplace is acceptable. That's obvious. But serious questions need to be seriously discussed beyond expressing disgust.
Doug Giebel, Big Sandy, Montana
There is one huge and disturbing fact about the #MeToo movement that often goes undetected, lacking the attention that it deserves.
The #MeToo movement should not have to happen.
Do not get me wrong; I am glad that it is happening, and that victims of sexual harassment or abuse get to speak up and perpetrators are beginning to feel the consequences, but the fact that women have to create a trending hashtag to get the attention of the world is disgusting. People refuse to believe women until suddenly it is trendy to do so.
There is also the fact that people still do not believe these victims, their double standards showing the worst of humanity and the epitome of rape culture.
I have been lucky enough that I do not need to take place in this movement. I have never felt the effects or sexual harass or abuse, but I am only in eighth grade. I should not have to worry about my future - high school, college, a workplace. I should not have to check every time I walk into an elevator that I am not in there alone with a man. I should not have to think about carrying pepper spray in my yet to be decided university or always keeping my future dorm room door locked, but right now that is the way the world is. And one day, if people finally relearn their misogynistic habits and get educated in equal rights and feminism, then maybe we will never have to have a movement like this again, and not one person will tweet #MeToo because not one person will have to.
1
To Jessica from an elderly retired teacher.
It is good that at your age you are interested in abusive misbehavior.
Because you (like the rest of humanity) don't know what the future holds, and
your hopes, your "should not have to" be concerned, may not be fully met
by the time you get to college. Perhaps, if history is a guide, it may never be fully met. There's an old saying, a variation of which I first heard when I was in high school long ago: "The more we know, the more we know we don't know." In teaching, I have often discussed that comment along with the fact that one thing we can not expect is the unexpected. To me, based on long experience, it is prudent (and wise) to be aware, to be curious and to not fall apart if (when) the unexpected shows up in your life and the lives of others.
It will show up.
You are obviously intent on being your own person, and part of that will be to grow inside with insight so you can handle whatever Life hands you, whether it's sour lemons or lemonade.
dg
I really like this movement because it is eye opening and it shows that it could happen to anyone and it’s an occurrence to a lot of people. This movement is also a way for victims to share their story without feeling scared of what could happen and maybe get the person arrested or in trouble because like how one of the ladies said, “Silence protects the perpetrator”. The movement has also showed me that it could happen to anyone and I feel bad that I’ve never really said anything about it and that I’ve never focused on it in a way that I feel I should’ve. This movement is a way to call people out for what they have done and that they need to get in trouble for it. Anyone can respond to this movement because anyone can be sexually harassed too. I’ve never used social media to speak up about something and in a way i feel like I am too scared to do so because I am afraid of what the people who follow me will say and how they will see me afterwards. This movement probably has had an impact on our world and how everyone see this topic because if you don’t talk about this topic people who sexual harass other people are safe.
Is a person falsely accused of sexual harassment and then vilified in an unethical investigation process also a victim of sexual harassment?
Examples of sexual harassment vary from what may be misunderstood comments or facial expressions to serious physical and emotional abuse.
If a provably false allegation and the ensuing procedures are abusive,
it seems possible the false charge and the procedures are a form, perhaps a rare form, of sexual harassment.
Doug Giebel, Big Sandy, Montana
I have many stories of inappropriate behavior in the workplace but there was one time where I think we all handled the situation very well. I was a secretary and a guy in the office kept hanging around my desk, asking me out. I explained I had a boyfriend and I dont date people I work with. He kept trying so my boss stepped in. He asked me if he should be fired. I said no, hes harmless I just have to keep reminding him. We managed to change things around to a respectful working relationship. I realize this wouldnt work in all circumstances but Im glad I tried to work things out.
The oversexualization and mistreatment of women is deeply ingrained into our society, common in all forms of media that we’re constantly exposed to. Among this is the mindset of “taking what you want”, a highly threatening, disrespectful, and degrading perspective that encourages the sexual harassment and assault of thousands of women; even prevalent in powerful figures of the modern world (like our current president, Donald Trump). Drawing attention to social issues such as this one is the only way to make a change, as correcting the overall mindset/viewpoint of a population cannot simply be fixed with laws. This can take time however, which is why the #MeToo, #YesAllWomen and #EverydaySexism movements aren’t generally turning-points, though things don’t necessarily “go back to normal” either. Enough people have to change their opinions and stances on the issue to make an obvious difference. This can be helped along with social media, with its ability to spread positive messages and movements such as #MeToo; along with hate and prejudice however, which gather behind the screens of the same networks. This is why we shouldn’t limit ourselves to action online; we need to go out and make a physical change in the world. Without something to remember the movement by, whether it be marches, campaigns to make donations to women’s shelters, or simply giving speeches to assemblies of people, the message won’t inspire as much change as what is so gravely required.
For many people, openly talking about sexual assault makes them uncomfortable. And for many people, sexual assault is something that may occur but is never something that is recognized within their communities. The #metoo movement is the beginning of a revolutionary mind-shift in how we collectively view sexual assault.
This movement has brought to life just some of the great spectrum of people who have been affected by sexual assault and misconduct. This movement is also bringing light to the sheer number of men and women in the both the film and music industries that have been targeted and abused over the years simply because of the field they chose to work in. This should not be a work hazard for those in these industries nor should it be accepted as a hazard in life. Sexual assault and harassment is inexcusable and needs to be seen as a topic that needs to be skirted around. People from every walk of life should be able to live their lives without having to be scared that someone is going to take advantage of them one day. Sexual misconduct has no gender, race, or age to it, and it affects more people than first believed and the hundreds of thousands of people that have experienced it have found the opportunity to either share their story or simply say #metoo. This hashtag will hopefully change the way that we, as a species, think of sexual assault and how we better educate against it so we can lessen this immense epidemic.
Witnessing the ubiquity of sexual harassment and assault that the #MeToo movement illuminated was undeniably upsetting - but I wish I was more surprised. I am not surprised at the pervasiveness of abuses of power by men in industries ruled and fueled by them. However, the quantification of it through the flooding of my news feed at the hashtag's peak reinforced a more profound truth: every woman lives in a culture in which she can experience harassment and assault and is expected to remain silent on it to preserve the feelings and power of men.
I believe that this movement will inspire men, the perpetrators of this violence, to recognize the ways in which they reinforce these power structures. I have seen a number of women on my feed ask men to comment on her post with specific things they will do to combat assault and harassment; I was touched to see men explain that they will call out their friends when they enact these problematic behaviors, own up to their own previous instances of harassment, and speak to other men about how they must change to minimize and hopefully eradicate its presence. Given the number of other victims coming forward about their own assault and harassment and the powerful hold such news puts on the careers of their perpetrators, I am optimistic that this phenomenon is creating a culture in which assault and harassment are inexcusable - and actually elicit palpable consequences.
This campaign brought it to our attention AGAIN that sexual abuse is essentially an epidemic that discriminates no gender, race, age, class. It is alive and well and we must treat it like we do the flu. It needs preventive measures and that is in the hand of men, this time. We, women, have done our job for centuries. Boys and men, please start teaching yourselves and each other some of our truths and remind them to speak up for all women-- we would all appreciate it.
#MeToo has brought attention to the pervasiveness of the problem. Now I hope to see more education about ‘good touch, bad touch’ to children from an early age with strategies and support for victims of this abuse. Everyone needs to know when touch is inappropriate and to have the confidence to report abusers. I would like to see more discussion about the ‘grooming’ techniques abusers use. Also, examples of calling out these abusers, not encouraging them or excusing them. Thinking of you Billy Bush.
Since the birth of mankind, women have been exploited by men who abuse their powerful platforms and positions in society. It's nothing new or unfamiliar, it’s just something we’ve tended to turn a blind eye towards. But what is different about the #MeToo campaign is that women all over the world have been given a voice that they never had before; a voice that has empowered them to speak up and share their stories with others. A single tweet from Alyssa Miliano has garnered thousands of responses and has sparked an international exposition of sexual misconduct within days. The article states that even celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Anna Paquin contributed to the movement. The power of social media has brought women of every race, age, social status, and nationality together and has enabled them to relate to each other in what is essentially an enormous support group. As a young woman living in today’s society, I find it empowering to know that my voice matters and that what I say CAN make a difference. 140 characters is all that it takes.
2
I fully support the #MeToo movement and have deep respect because it is a great way to expose the crimes committed against innocent women and to give a platform to the victims for them to speak out and tell their story. These stories often go unnoticed in the media cycle which does not help the victims who are desperately seeking justice for the pain and suffering they have unjustly gone through. When victims don't have a voice to speak with, the perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment can continue to get away with what they do over and over again. Seeing the vast number of stories coming out from women is both encouraging and troubling at the same time. While victims tell their story, it is sad to see that a large issue like this has been swept under the rug for this long. No human being deserves to experience a horrific event like what many of the victims of the #MeToo movement have gone through. I welcome the widespread condemnation of the exposed perpetrators and hope that justice is served quickly. This movement can set an example far into the future telling those who commit sexual assault on others that they can't hide from their disgusting acts. I hope that more would come out and share their story so that victims would know that they're not alone and can get help. It is uplifting to see the overwhelming support received by people who have shared their story of sexual harassment and the consequences brought on to the offenders.
The #MeToo movement is a very impactful and inspirational movement that affects a lot of people. I think that although this hashtag was made to represent victims of sexual assault and harassment, it can allow others to open up about issues that they may have been retaining. One part of the included article that really resonated with me was a quotation from Najwa Zebian; “I was blamed for it. I was told not to talk about it. I was told that it wasn’t that bad. I was told to get over it”. No one should be told to keep something inside. What you decide to share or not depends on you, not what someone else tells you. This movement in a way can be seen as cathartic, as it allows people to let out anything that they have been keeping with themselves for endless periods of time. In the way that sexual harassment is perceived and talked about shows watershed movement because people have begun to realize that this topic is a big deal and is worth sharing. Despite that, I do not believe that this movement will spur much change. This movement does bring community and light to the topic, but it doesn’t necessarily stop sexual harassment from occurring.
I haven’t personally experienced this, so I cannot relate to this topic. However, I truly believe that sharing these stories brings people together and assures victims that they aren’t alone in this type of situation. Overall, this movement shows the true bravery and strength of women all over the world who are affected by this issue.
1
I am so glad you asked.
I am 63 yrs old and don't do Facebook or twitter but the #MeToo has made the women around me discuss multiple incidences that happened as children and adults at work, at the Doctor's and in school...sexxual advances that we brushed off and never really examined until now as we talked about them openly. They made us feel awkward at the time and actually made us often feel that it was our own fault.
I related one story about a colleague twice grabbing a breast "when looking at my employee badge to see my name" ..a tip was shared that "yes, you need to wear the badge higher on the shoulder to avoid him,"
Men need to speak up and women have less credibility when they don't...perhaps they are uncomfortable hearing about these things and no one has given them the words to express their views. Frankly, women don't have the words either.
This kind of behavior starts very young and I wonder if males feel unmanly if they don't reinforce their friends trash talk about women.
I know this is politically incorrect to say this but just as Fox News ( and other mainstream news organizations) always had young women dress with short dresses, show arms (and some cleavage) I think women should dress less provocatively in the workplace...if men dressed in sleeveless shirts and shorts how much credibility would be given to them? They would lose gravitas quickly as they would be judged on if they were "eye candy" as women tend to be.
I really like the #MeToo movement, and have a lot of respect in the movement. I have not personally participated in the movement, but I have seen many people, including celebrities, speaking out about their experiences with sexual harassment. By reading the hashtags, my understanding on sexual harassment and assault has changed greatly. Lives are changed by assault and sexual harassment, and can impact a person greatly, and seeing people finally speak up, and feel safe enough to finally share their stories is a beautiful thing. The movement has given people voices that they did not think they had. I believe that spreading awareness, and making social media an environment where people feel comfortable enough to share their stories is a beautiful thing. Women posting their stories gives them confidence, and will definitely prompt a turning point, where people will feel safer to talk about their experiences.
I find that this movement really helps women express the pain and fear they have been keeping holed up for all those weeks, months, or even years. This movement really allows people to feel safe and know that there are others out there that are going through a situation similar to them. The part that I find quite discouraging, however, is that we even needed it. We shouldn't live in a world where people need strength in numbers to admit that they have been abused. People should be able to tell someone that they are getting abused or harassed, and get immediate help without waiting for others. This movement definitely helps in that many thousand of people have felt safe enough to come out and share their stories, but I find it to be quite a shame that people can't just share their own stories by themselves.
Recently the #MeToo campaign has been swirling in an out of our television, phone, and computer screens. This hashtag comes from the exposure of influential Hollywood personnel Harvey Weinstein and unfortunately many others. Soon after, women all around the world began speaking out about their sexual abuse. Although this hashtag has been a uniting factor to a lot of women, many are often swift to criticize and ask whether this campaign is a short-lived moment or a powerful movement. It is remarkable to see this many brave women speak out against sexual misconduct and share their experiences, which is a compelling thing, but many skeptics often think campaigns like this are a publicity stunt and ask "why did they wait so long?" which can be tough to answer for many personal reasons. Nonetheless, #MeToo is bringing forth more light on a topic that many often shy away from or consider "locker room talk". Generally people thought that #MeToo was an internet trend that was only for rape or sexual assault victims but that couldn't be further from the truth. I interpret #MeToo is a platform targeted at women to speak out about male entitlement and how that is not an excuse for sexual misconduct. I believe that this movement has the ability to shed light on inequalities in our world and change them, potentially creating more platforms where people can be united and bring about awareness without fear.
1
The MeToo movement lets women vocalize what they've experienced. I don't think it will change anything. The main problem is that men think they can harass women and get away with it. This is a problem of mindset and an apathetic judiciary system. Now, what can fix that?
This movement is massive and extensive. Women from all over the world and of all ages are responding with #metoo and it’s really depressing. It’s depressing to see the amount of women who have been sexually harassed and/or assaulted. It’s an epidemic and it needs to stop. So stop telling people that “boys will be boys” and that her shirt was “too short”. Stop telling girls what to wear and how to act and start telling boys that it’s not ok to harass and abuse other people. I’m only 15 and I have to carry around brass knuckles in public because I’m scared of what the men around me might do. It’s just so fucked up. It needs to change.
I think that the #MeToo movement is a great way to let those of us who've had to deal with these issues and held silence to finally face their past and move forward. Talking can definitely spur changes. Talking is how we communicate to the world our needs and opinions. I think that #MeToo will serve as a catalyst for opening up discussions and conversations about things like sexual harassment. Social media helps things spread like wildfire because everyone seems to be up-to-date with social media nowadays.
Alright, now I love women (despite having a GF) and respect all of their rights, but I have to share my opinions. This #MeToo movement isn't used the way it was intended. Sexual harassment is an everyday issue that is important but doesn't need to be taken into the limelight. Social media is a war zone of beratement and fire thrown by all genders and races, so trying to justify your struggle will always be taken out of context by someone. This movement isn't good for women since this fuels the media. Media feeds off of others secrets and exposing one's suffering is giving them as many views and memes as long as this trend continues. Not only this, but this will change nothing! As we have seen through these past few years, people who call themselves activists don't deserve too, no thanks to Twitter. Nothing posted on Twitter will ever make a difference, only physical actions will. #MeToo is just a way to get emotionally insecure women to release more secrets to the public. This also just makes people less of activists by forcing them behind a screen and telling them to share whatever they can. Activism on sexual harassment has been blurred by the internet and is even making women posting just for attention. If you want your issues changed, then go to HR if at work or local authorities, not just the keyboard in your sweatpants. Activism is no longer a form of change, and #MeToo is slowly falling into the same hole.
Experiencing sexism at work is something that has existed for years. Sexism in general, has been apart of society for way too long. The stories of these young women getting taken advantage of is heartbreaking but is also proof to how sexual abuse and harassment is a reality.
In my opinion, these "me too" videos will not prevent or change the way women are treated in society or in their given work force because many protests and cases have been untreated and unsuccessful. I have not participated in the #MeToo movement for many reasons. One being, I have not experienced what these women have. Also, I am not the type of person to publicize my personal stories with the world. These women who are posting about their sexual harassment or sexual abuse stories are brave individuals. The #MeToo issue will not spur change for many reasons. Major companies with powerful men who dramatically impact the business will not be fired because of their importance. This is a scary fact. I find it mind blowing how men are getting away with such actions just because of their importance. I began to question why the importance of someone in a business is more important than the safety of female workers. After time passes, things will be the same. Women will be continuously taken advantage of and cases will be the least of the businesses worries unless it is something that ruins their reputation. Women are the main victims in sexual abuse and they deserve the ability to work without being in fear.
8
I think talking about sexual assault through the #MeToo movement helps empower people to speak up and come to terms with their abuse. Having people, especially celebrities, share their experiences on social media, a place where people share the best versions of their lives is influential in many ways. It shows that people, not just women, from all walks of life experience sexuall assult and harassment and that it will no longer be tolerated. It also creates a more approachable way for all people to understand what sexual misconduct is and how to prevent and speak up against it. As a young women becoming an adult under the Trump administration this is refreshing and gives me hope. Trump who has been accused of sexual harassment is supposedly the more important man in our country. But as we begin to reject other politicians, directors, and comedians due to their choices maybe we can reach as far up as the president. The #MeToo movement gives me the hope that we as a society can begin to stop sexual misconduct as a whole and help to heal those who have been mistreated in this way.
1
By simply being a high school student in America, with our access to social media, it is hard to not be aware of the #MeToo social media messages. Luckily, I have not participated in the movement itself. But I have much respect and love for all those who are. Even though I myself have not been a victim of this kind of harassment, it had made me more aware and comfortable with the idea of talking about it, if it were to ever happen to me. The discussion of these topics are never easy. Therefore, they are often pushed to the side and never dug into deeply. But, my mother and sister have done nothing but pushed for an open relationship, so I could feel like I could say whatever was bothering without feeling uncomfortable. It would be hard to discuss these topics with classmates and friends since this is so personal and exposing. These events can cause a women to lose the feeling of who they are, hence it would be hard to have a discussion with people who have not been victims to talk about it in the same way. This campaign has altered my views on sexual harassment. Before, I knew it to be disabling and crippling. A reason to be ashamed. A reason to be embarrassed. But now, now everything has changed. Women are now coming together like never before to express that this happens to a lot of women. Too many women. This now gives women different reasons. A reason to be proud. A reason to be free. A reason to be a woman.
3
It’s no secret; the world in which we live in obtains many flaws. Things are not perfect, but it’s what we, as people, do to improve the society that we live in. Sexual assault is a topic that many people tend to avoid; it is an uncomfortable topic for many, and it is scary for victims to speak up about the pain that they have experienced, due to the stigma that has been built around the topic. However, seeing sexual assault victims unite and speak out against the injustices that they have faced is something that is wonderful to see. As a young woman, I am aware that there are “bad things” happening in the world, but I think that such events are difficult to comprehend if you, as an individual, have not experienced it on a first hand account. Hearing the stories of people who have been silenced for so long is deeply saddening, but it is something that I feel our nation needs to realize in order to progress and move forward. The #MeToo movement has united sexual assault victims, and has brought awareness to the fact that they are truly not alone. Victims no longer have to suffer in silence, which is incredibly powerful.
3
Ever since I study at a man-dominated university, women's rights have got my interest. I have been obsessed with the #metoo developments. At first, I was very gloomy because I realized how bad we are actually doing. Not only because of all the victims I saw, but also because of the resistance they get. I didn't post a story, just sent many replies to support victims.
I now feel more secure as a woman, knowing the problem is not just in my head.
I think #metoo has the power for change, but we have a long way of ups and downs to go. What might remain is a handful of men who will be more aware about the problem. Another is a change in workplaces: less sexism and more attention for sexual harassment and breaking taboos. I think at least some companies will pick it up, even if it's only for their reputation.
Social media can draw the attention of the media. The media has the power to reach people. I also hope there will be some more attention for it in politics.
Men face problems with sexual harassment too, for men I believe it's even harder to speak up about it. So it's important that they feel safe to share their story as well, as long as they don't intend to troll or hijack the discussion. The participation of men will also counter the feeling of segregation between the genders. However, a more woman-related aspect of #metoo is the sexualizing, sexism and self-blaming that almost all women have to deal with. I don't see how men fit into this part. We need to keep that in mind.