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Me Too
The phrase 'Me Too' was first used in 2006 on MySpace by Tarana Burke, who was a sexual assault survivor and an activist. She stood up for people with similar experiences.
The term 'Me Too' refers to empowering sexually assaulted people (especially young and women of color), and it became the slogan of the movement. Demonstrations are organized through solidarity, emphasizing how many people were assaulted and harassed, especially in the workplace. -
The beginning
Ambra Battlina, an Italinan model accused former film producer Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape and sexual assault. She worked with the police and she was even able to show recordings of the incident, however Weinstein was so powerful that made Battlina's assertions unbelievable. -
A breaking story
The New York Times published a story dealing with the case of Harvey Weinstein, this time actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan came forward. He was accused of forcing women to massage him and watch him naked, promising favor in their career in return. This news gave a spark to the movement, moreover, encouraging numerous women and men to accuse, for instance, producers (e.g. Kevin Spacey), a sports doctor (Larry Nassar, imprisoned in 1/24/2018) and a chef (Mario Batali) with sexual misconduct. -
Period: to
Harvey Weinstein's scandal
The famous film producer's scandal began with the two actresses' story shared in The New York Times. Throughout this period numerous women's, including Angelina Jolie's, allegations were published, mainly in The New Yorker. His wife left him and was expelled from the Oscars, slowly losing his reputation. You can read more details about the process here Harvey Weinstein's timeline -
#MeToo
Actress Alyssa Milano shared a tweet with the hashtag, and it immediately went viral. She suggested that every woman who has been assaulted should write #MeToo to attract attention to the problem. -
March in LA
The march, where thousands of people demonstrated against sexual harassment and in support of victims in Los Angeles, was led by Tarana Burke. -
Silence Breakers
Time magazine named the Person of the Year as "Silence Breakers", citing individuals like Tarana Burke who stood up for sexually assaulted women and set Me Too in action as a movement. -
Time's Up
Over 300 women of Hollywood formed a non-profit, anti-harassment coalition called Time's Up collaborating with National Women's Law Center. It ended up as TULDF (Time's Up Legal Defense Fund), having legal and media support. They raise money to support victims of sexual harassment. This was the response to the so-called Weinstein effect. -
#MeTooK12
MeTooK12 is a spin-off of #MeToo, which aims to stop sexual abuse in education; kindergarten to high schools, where sexual abuse is common both online and in person. US News -
2018 Women's March
Millions protested throughout the USA at the second annual Women's March. The Me Too and Time's Up movements pushed activists and celebrities to demand immediate social and political change. Celebrities like Adele, Cameron Diaz, Yoko Ono, Scarlett Johansson, and Natalie Portman also participated. It was also a protest against Donald Trump. -
Oscars ceremony
Three Weinstein accusers, including Ashley Judd, spoke about the positive changes that have come since the producer's downfall. Judd added:"The changes we're witnessing are being driven by the powerful sound of new voices, of different voices, of our voices joining together in a mighty chorus that is finally saying time's up,"
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Les Moonves
After more than six women accused Les Moonves of sexual misconduct, the CBS CEO resigned immediately. CBS didn't comment on the allegations, but said that Moonves will donate $20 million to organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace. -
First imprisonment of the Me Too era
Bill Cosby, a comedian and TV star was the first to be sentenced to prison since the beginning of the Me Too movement after drugging and assaulting a woman in 2004. He was in prison only for 3 years because according to the court, his rights were violated during the proceedings, as the prosecutors promised him that they would not press charges against him in a 2004 harassment case, but they later did. -
House Ethics Committee
The House Ethics Committee negotiated about how to change the system for reporting sexual harassment and abuses in the workplace. -
#MuteRKelly
The famous R&B singer R. Kelly was arrested in 2019 for 31 years after being charged with sexual abuse of teenage girls and women, also charges connected to sex trafficking and child pornography. Using the hashtag social media users put pressure on radio stations and streaming platforms to stop playing his music. -
Joe Biden
Former Vice President Joe Biden posted a video on Twitter where he claims that is aware of him making women uncomfortable by touching them and he will be more mindful about it in his personal space in the future. This was his response to the emerging allegations regarding inappropriate touching. It was during his preparation for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination campaign. -
Chanel Miller
Chanel Miller decided to speak up and share her experience being a victim through a memoir. She was harassed by Brock Turner at Stanford University back in 2015, but she stayed anonymous. She appeared on "60 Minutes", giving an interview, and CBS released a minute-long clip, where she reads from the victim impact statement which she addressed to her in court back in 2016. -
International #MeToo conference
During the three-day-long conference hosted in Iceland, the participants were brainstorming about how to end sexism, sexual harassment, and violence. -
Harvey Weinstein
He was finally sentenced to 23 years (and an additional 16 in 2023) in prison for rape and sexual assault. CNN -
Jagged
In a documentary released in 2021, singer Alanis Morissette discusses that there is a lack of recognition given to victims and how patriarchy reacts when a woman transcends a man. -
Amber Heard, the death of Me Too?
During the divorce between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, the social media referred to Heard as an imperfect victim and subject to widespread bullying. The Me Too movement's credibility is questioned as some turn against Heard, who admitted hitting Depp. The New York Times -
Some stratistics
On the fifth anniversary of the movement, the Pew Research Center surveyed the support of the movement and what its effects are. It turns out that more people support it than opposing it. The poll was filled out by different parties, races genders. -
Legacy today?
Me Too have encouraged a lot of people to stand up for themselves and make the issue visible. #MeToo still connecting survivors today, thanks to Tarana Burke in the first place. Action is important, and boundaries should be acknowledged. A movement is about individual and community healing, laws, practices, cultures, policies must be changed, said Burke. This movement is long-lasting, and it still continues. Video - Legacy (2022)