Unfortunately, America, the land of the free has not provided a safe place for all of its people. Many women and children both girls and boys have suffered from sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior and rape at the hands of men and were forced to keep their horrible experience a secret. Many have been attacked by family members, co-workers, executive directors, owners, the rich and powerful as well as the low and deplorable. From every sector of our economy, every community, every race, every lifestyle has been affected by this sickness. This includes the film industry, banking, education, and all areas, including the music industry, corporate America, non-profits and for-profit organizations. Even the participants in the Olympics are not safe from this horrible act.
Finally, after the pain and mistreatment of many, women are speaking up and some men who have been approached with irritating and demeaning behavior from those who want to indulge themselves at the cost of others with no regard to the injustice or the pain it causes to their victim. It has occurred in our penial systems such as jails and prisons across our nation. Many paid staff in prisons across our nation have been molesting inmates. When will this barbaric behavior STOP and true justice abide?
According to an article by Jess Joho, long before the New York Times released their bombshell exposing Harvey Weinstein, one woman coined the words that would spark a revolution both on and offline. Though not initially credited with its founding, activist Tarana Burke launched the “Me Too” campaign in 2007 for her non-profit, “Just Be Inc.”, which helps survivors of everything from sexual harassment to assault. Unprecedented moment means for the millions of women she inspired to speak out.
In a statement, Burke explained that the memoir serves as an exploration of what ‘survival’ really looks like by taking the reader through my ordinary, extraordinary journey from victim to survivor to thriver; while providing an understanding of why something like the “Me Too” movement was not just necessary for my community but for the world.” But Burke also plans on examining the underlying issues that the “Me Too” movement brings to light that goes far beyond this moment: “The book will also help readers understand the often overlooked historical connections of the role sexual violence plays in communities of color, specifically Black communities, even today while exploring ways the same communities have been both complicit and resilient.”
Staying true to the initial vision of her organization, though, Burke wrote that, “More than anything, this memoir will provide survivors across the spectrum of sexual abuse a roadmap for healing that helps them understand that the “Me Too” movement is more about triumph than trauma and that our wounds, though they may never fully heal, can also be the key to our survival.”