#MeToo may look familiar to those who are on social media. The “Me Too” hashtag started when Alyssa Milano, an American actress famously known for the TV show Charmed, came up with the hashtag on her Twitter account.
Milano recently sparked the social media movement, but the “Me Too” movement originally first started by an activist just over 10 years ago. Community organizer Tarana Burke started the “Me Too” movement in 2006, to bring awareness and understanding about sexual assault in underprivileged communities of color.
“Me Too” was originally used for people to give support to those who suffered from sexual harassment and assaults. This was used to let people know that they were not alone and that there would still be hope for them after harassments and assaults.
With having over 3 million followers, Milano suggested that women should post “Me Too” on Twitter if they have been sexually harassed or assaulted, and that resulted in “Me Too” going viral. Controversy arose when a number of women accused producer Harvey Weinstein, of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Milano’s tweet had over 30,000 replies, over 10,000 retweets and nearly 30,000 likes. The numbers have continued to go up since then and numerous people have come forward in solidarity.
Students at William Peace University have been talking about this controversy and movement. Some students say that their female classmates have joined in on the movement through Facebook to bring awareness to their personal story or to just say that they are there for the people who have been impacted in sexual harassments and assaults.
“My opinion on the “Me Too” movement, is that I’m glad that someone, even though it started 10 years ago, I’m glad that someone is actually out there spreading awareness about sexual abuse,” said sophomore, Kassie Burton. “It shows people about sexual abuse and sexual awareness and that you can’t be silenced anymore with what is going on in the world.”
“MeToo” has become a trending hashtag on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Over 6 million Facebook users are posting about “Me Too.” Numerous celebrities have joined in on the movement as well.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Cara Delevingne, Angelina Jolie, Reese Witherspoon, and Lady Gaga are just a few celebrities who have spoken out on social media about their own sexual abuse past. Even Senators such as, Claire McCaskill, Heidi Heitkamp, Mazie Hirono, and Elizabeth Warren opened up about their personal stories and have joined the movement hash tagging “Me Too.”
It’s not just female celebrities who are opening up about their stories. Men celebrities have also joined in to tell their stories along with using the hashtag “HowIWillChange” to try to help women feel like not all men are the same, and to try to respect women more and call out predatory behavior.
Why are five letters so powerful? #MeToo, has made people aware of sexual harassment and assault that other people may not have been aware about. Whether it is a family member, classmate, friend, or neighbor, this hashtag has made it easier for people who are dealing with sexual assault or abuse to open up about their own personal stories that they may have been keeping private.