Welcome to a generation of great movements.
I truly hope these movements do not die out because I look forward to being more involved and becoming more of an activist for those who do not have a voice. Did anyone watch or read about the Golden Globes? Who's said #metoo or heard about this hashtag? Who believes that #timesup? I'm going a bit crazy about these hashtags and the meaning behind both of them.
When these hashtags came to light, I was seeing faces I'd never seen before, but also familiar faces. They are people of all genders and all walks of life, and I was thinking to myself — what is happening!?
I did some research on both hashtags because my social media blew up both times with both hashtags, and I was obviously out of the loop in understanding these hashtags.
Where did #metoo come from?
I researched #metoo and a lot came up about this hashtag. The #metoo movement actually started back in 2006. It was created by activist Tarana Burke. The movement was created to help and encourage women to work together and be united and supportive of each other, specifically when it comes to sexual harassment.
So, it's been an ongoing movement, and I admit I oversaw it completely until I saw Alyssa Milano's supportive tweet to her friend Rose McGowan's allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein. Social media blew up with her tweet and #metoo was everywhere. So many people began to speak about their own stories.
I was amazed at how long some stayed silent, and reading people's stories gave me goosebumps, made me tear up, made me angry, and at the same time made me feel like crap because I realized you just don't know what people have gone through in life or what dark secret they have to keep because they are afraid.
Then came along #timesup...
...and my newsfeed went ballistic once again with many wearing black at the Golden Globes and on social media and many wearing "Times up" pins to show their support.
Once again I started doing my research and reading about what the hype was all about. In one article I read that #timesup was a sequel to #metoo and I was like, fuck yes!!!
Sorry for the language, but I was like yes! yes! yes!
Many who attended the Golden Globes wore black to stand in solidarity with victims in all industries. Who leads #timesup you may ask? American actress, producer, and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon. Which just made this 100 times better because I LOVE HER #WCW. This is what power should be used for. To begin important discussions, to bring light to important matters that get swept under the rug too many times.
Why does this even matter?
We all matter, that's why. I understand that these hashtags may not erase the horrible things that have happened to victims, but it does bring light to those who have done wrong and deserve to be exposed and known for what they truly are, trash. It also helps many realize that you are not alone and you are not the problem. Don't question yourself and what you could have done differently. You are not the one at fault, and you should never believe you are.
I hope this movement does not die down. I hope people begin to feel safer to speak out. I hope that this year is a year of great change because God knows we all truly need it. These movements, these stories, these hashtags have really got me thinking and they should make you think too.
How can each of us be a voice for those who do not have a voice?
How can you be a positive impact in someone's life, in your community, and in society overall?
Let's keep these movements going.