Just So We’re Clear, #MeToo Was Started By A Black Woman + The Stories Women Have Shared

October 16, 2017 |
By Veronica Wells

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If you thought the news of Harvey Weinstein and the larger more important discussion of sexual assault and sexual harassment was going to be relegated to last week, you’re wrong. After some women decided to boycott Twitter, others chose to use the platform to speak out about the issues of sexual assault and harassment in this country. And today, the hashtag #MeToo features everyday women who are sharing their stories of sexual assault and harassment or just acknowledging the fact that they’ve been affected. Actress Alyssa Milano is being credited with creating the hashtag; but in actuality, it was started 10-years-ago by consultant, blogger and advocate Tarana Burke.

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#metoo It has been amazing watching all of the pushback against Harvey Weinstein and in support of his accusers over the last week. In particular, today I have watched women on social media disclose their stories using the hashtag #metoo. It made my heart swell to see women using this idea – one that we call ‘empowerment through empathy’ – to not only show the world how widespread and pervasive sexual violence is, but also to let other survivors know they are not alone. The point of the work we’ve done over the last decade with the ‘me too movement’ is to let women, particularly young women of color know that they are not alone – it’s a movement. It’s beyond a hashtag. It’s the start of a larger conversation and a movement for radical community healing. Join us. www.metoo.support 📹: @sirxavv 2014 March Against Rape Culture Philadelphia, PA #metoomovement #yourenotalone #itsamovement #empowermentthroughempathy

A post shared by Tarana J. Burke (@taranajaneen) on Oct 15, 2017 at 3:58pm PDT

Check out their stories on the following pages.

It was my first husband. You're my wife, that wasn't rape. And some stranger on the bus decided to shove his hands between my legs. #MeToo

— Kelly Schultz (@kellyNeResist) October 16, 2017

https://twitter.com/Soli8/status/919967437528985600

I sincerely hope #metoo turns into “I believe you.” “Me too.”

— Aparna Nancherla (@aparnapkin) October 16, 2017

Because when I reported mine, the policewoman told me she wouldn't report a rape if it had happened to her. We NEED to do better. #MeToo

— kirsten (@kirstsolo) October 16, 2017

yet to meet a woman who doesn't have a sexual harassment story to tell. #MeToo

— 3d_beedi (@3d_beedi) October 16, 2017

When you are sexually harassed at work but HR doesn't believe you because no one else saw it. #metoo

— Jonelle Beaulieu (@PinkVegas13) October 16, 2017

You don't need my #MeToo for you to finally see that the others aren't lying. If someone says they've been abused, believe them.

— D. Danyelle Thomas (@UnfitChristian) October 16, 2017

#MeToo in my own bed, by my friend’s husband, while she slept across the hall. They needed a room,and that’s what I get for opening my home

— Brandi K (@BrandiKambalov) October 16, 2017

Reminder that if a woman didn't post #MeToo, it doesn't mean she wasn't sexually assaulted or harassed. Survivors don't owe you their story.

— Alexis Benveniste (@apbenven) October 16, 2017

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Just So We’re Clear, #MeToo Was Started By A Black Woman + The Stories Women Have Shared

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