#MeToo

​In a post demographic age, did the #MeToo hashtag spark a watershed for transparency? The allegations against Harvey Weinstein, and now several others, have fueled a phenomenal, and global online campaign to encourage anyone, of any demographic, to step forward and share their experiences of sexual assault, harassment or misconduct, simply by using the #Metoo hashtag.

The ‘Me too’ movement was created in 2006, long before hashtags came into popular use. It’s creator, social activist Tarana Burke, came up with the phrase after a 13-year-old girl confided she was sexually abused. As a victim herself, Burke found herself ill-equipped to respond and while struggling to verbalise her feelings to the young girl, referred her to another councellor. Retrospectively and haunted by the experience, Burke wished she had simply told the girl “Me too.” Which inspired her to create ‘Me Too’ as a powerful grassroots movement to support and give  voice to sexual assault survivors in underprivileged communities.”  

As expected, millennials have embraced it, with millions opening up publicly on social media channels. The New York Daily Times claims that one in five Americans knows someone who has shared a #MeToo story. However, it is interesting to note that many of the Generation X’ers, ironically known as ‘the lost generation', are quite happy to share their experiences verbally, but when asked why they did not share on social media, mainly responded that they didn’t want to embarrass their families….  There’s an aura of deeply rooted shame that even today's era of transparency can’t shift, which is sadly ironic as theirs is a generation often considered to be one who suffered some of the most flagrant violations.  

From a marketing perspective, it is, quite frankly genius. It’s simple, current, emotive, wide-reaching and all-inclusive and a lesson to all of us, that you don’t always need a degree to go viral, sometimes you just need heart. 

I watched her walk away from me as she tried to recapture her secrets and tuck them back into their hiding place. I watched her put her mask back on and go back into the world like she was all alone and I couldn't even bring myself to whisper ... me too.