We all know that for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction. After many have been silenced the combined reaction that has resulted to be the #METOO movement makes sense. As many may see the #METOO movement as an overreaction, their reaction is equal to their cause, the movement has succeeded in bringing attention to important feminist issues with minor adverse reactions. The goal of the movement is to advocate for the appropriate resources and evolution of law to be provided for those who have been subjected to sexual violence (Kelly).
The Original reasoning for this movement lies in how history has repeated itself specifically how women have been treated in America. This treatment is echoed within the Trump Administration. As the #MeToo movement progresses and breaks this pattern more and more women are taking back their power and raising their voices for the better, to progress the change no one is willing to do. Women are now having to get involved when before they didn’t have to (Schnall). As women are coming into power men are finally being held accountable, especially in the media. As the movement has progressed politicians are now as well being accused and held accountable of sexual misconduct resulting in a common narrative (Schnall). According to a study shared by USA Today 28% of women and 9% of men have been sexually harassed at work (Jones). This proves further that there is a fight to be fought.
When society proves to be ineffective those who have been affected have proven to rise and stand against society. As the court system has failed to serve justice, Hollywood has started a movement and in a sense, take justice into its hands. Due to the #MeToo movement many of the Hollywood elite have been terminated including Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer and Kevin Spacey (Jones). But as Hollywood has proven to progress so have many major companies which have experienced backlash of the #MeToo movement including Nike. Trevor Edwards and Jayme Martin, both had high positions within the corporation and have been pushed out due to “behavioral issues that are inconsistent with Nikes values” showing that these types of actions and allegations have caused companies to stand up and prove that they are listening, which is more than you can say for our own government (Jones).
As society and large corporations progress, the government has failed to do the same. Due to lack of legislation and need for empowerment, women are taking back the power and are finally using their voices, from the Women's March, to survivors coming forward and sharing their experiences (Wallace). The women of the #MeToo movement are something to be reckoned with and have proven in countless ways that they are determined and passionate for their cause. But that is not enough, this behavior seems to be a recurring occurrence, years ago the same situation was happening, not only in Hollywood but on Capitol Hill as well. Leading some to the assumption that this is the reason nothing significant has happened regarding legislation (Wallace). As 2017 progressed women have been shot down not only by society but legislatures as well, legislatures have posed threats against protections for children, civil rights and the environment, but most importantly Planned Parenthood. This undermines women’s legal and reproductive rights proving further that lawmakers are failing to listen and progress with women and society. And yet even through all this, women are rising (Schnall). As a result of the lack of effort from former legislators, as of 2017 female legislators in the House and Senate has doubled from the previous year (Schnall). Inherently allowing for the opportunity for just laws to be passed at the federal level. As the movement has progressed through changes in our culture and government it is now changing our laws. After the height of the movement and countless protests around the country there have been new laws instituted. Such as tweaked nondisclosure agreements; that will prevent serial sex offenders from scilencing their victums, regulations regarding rape kits that ensure that they are now tested in a timely manner and finally states are now lifting or extending the statute of limitations regarding sexual misconduct reports (Beitsch). While this is a good start this is still not enough. These women deserve justice and until that is achieved this is still considered an epidemic.
As time has carried on their has been many who think that the #MeToo movement is just propaganda provided by liberals, and that many might want to feel included in this movement because it is seen as inspirational and empowering (Heer). Leaving them with the concern of false accusations, in addition unproven accusations. However the #MeToo movements intentions were never to encourage false accusations and the likelihood of an accusation being fulse is around 1-10 percent of reported sexual misconduct cases (Beitsch). Around 90% of cases are not reported bringing the true number of falsified accusations down to .01%-1% (Heer). But as it seems that society as a whole is progressing many are upset that this is turning to become a trial by media and saying “Individuals need to be judged independently against allegations and evidence” which yes the do but nothing has happened as a result of those who have come forward until a ruckus was made about the issue. At a certain time it becomes appropriate to take justice into your own hands, of course with the limitations of the law (Kenny).
As we look back on the movement yes there have been things to change, but the intentions and result of the #MeToo movement are inherently good and will go down in history. The #MeToo movement has overall succeeded in bringing attention to important feminist issues with a result of minor adverse reactions.
Works Cited
Beitsch, Rebecca. #MeToo has Changed our Culture. Now it's Changing our Laws.
Heer, Jeet. “On #MeToo and Democrats' Moral Authority.” Google, Google
Jones, Charisse. "Movement has Changed Laws, Firms, Culture." USA TODAY, 05 Oct 2018.
Kelly, Cara, and Aaron Hegarty. "#MeToo Changed Culture but Few Laws." USA TODAY, 08 Oct 2018.
Kenny, Chris. "The Farce of #MeToo's Baying Mobs Exposed."Australian (Canberra), 05 Aug 2019, pp. 25.
Wallace, Kelly. "After #MeToo, More Women Feeling Empowered." CNN Wire Service, 20 Dec 2017.
Schnall, Marianne. "2018 Will be the Year of Women."CNN Wire Service, 14 Dec 2017