The Me Too Movement: Removing Shame and Uplifting Victims
In 2017, the New York Times published an exposé on Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein detailing the horrific abuse women endured by his hands over the course of decades in silence. Since then, following the scandal and tens of millions of tweets, the impact of the Me Too movement is more than just exposing the wrongs of the world’s most powerful men, but uplifting society and removing stigma so we can begin healing. The Me Too Movement has become a rallying cry not just for women, but also men, who previously endured discrimination, abuse, harassment, and more in silence. It has gone beyond just a conversation at American dinner tables to a global movement for societal transformation that transcends borders and demands reform. In 2019 alone, the #MeToo hashtag was viewed more than 42 billion times and was mentioned 4 million times across social media and news sites. Not only does this speak to the potency of the movement, but for the staying power, longevity and critical importance of the Me Too Movement. Nations across the globe have instituted new protections for workers to answer the call for justice of millions of victims.
The intital movement started back in 2006. Tarana Burke created the Me Too campaign with young Black women and girls from low wealth communities, developing a culturally-informed curriculum to discuss sexual violence within the black community, and society in large. Her goal was “to spread a message for survivors: You’re heard, you’re understood.”
The #MeToo and the #MeTooK12 movement is an opportunity for schools and communities to reflect on how to address issues of consent, sex education, relationships and undoing a pervasive culture of silence. January 1, 2018, marked the launch of SSAIS's campaign for #MeTooK12. Check out some of our resources before doing a deep-dive into what defines the Me Too Movement and why it continues to serve as a beacon of hope:
- The Trap of Masculinity: How Sexism Impacts Boys and Men
- Promoting Positive Relationships
- Black Women Activists and the Long History Behind #MeToo
Discover more free resources in Share My Lesson's updated collection on Women's History Month.
