The #METOO movement on Social media
In two words the problem of sexual harassment and assault stared directly in our faces, it was unavoidable, unbelievable and could no longer be dismissed by the public as a minute problem. Preceding this media movement, hashtags on twitter were synonymous with irrelevant millennial issues, perhaps a breakup or a spilled iced latte.
No one could have anticipated how a real-life issue would materialize into one of the biggest hashtag movements in the history of social media. Twitter could no longer be interpreted as this unnecessary time wasting site, it was now a platform to expel the controversial truths of what happens every single day.
Sexual harassment and assault occur at unprecedented rates, but the social stigma surrounding this form of assault is extensive, making it increasingly difficult for victims to share their experiences, seek justice, or help. An aspect of social media that normally takes on a negative connotation is the ability people have to hide from the world. To seek solace behind a profile picture.
If not for this platform of media, survivors wouldn't have been able to openly discuss their experiences, in fear of it being twisted and contorted by a society that is so unwilling to listen. This hashtag gave a voice to those that otherwise wouldn't have had one. Media was consequential to the success of the Me Too movement. Twitter is such a powerful tool in the modern world, and it wouldn't let this hashtag be ignored.
More needed to be done than marching in the streets for social change. It's perceived as too assertive for women to proclaim about real life issues in such a provocative and profound way. God forbid we parade around with our false accusations and incendiary signs. Survivors could be ignored, and marches can only do so much. The movement needed to be compatible with our relationship with media.
It's imperative to acknowledge that the shape social change materializes into is determined by societal perceptions. To derail the image of a group of hysterical women, you present a single palatable hashtag. A single tweet that adds to an already growing movement. This is not to say that we should alter controversial subjects into something agreeable like a single tweet. Often times exchanging the vivid truth for the appeasement of an audience can minimize an experience. Though this movement consisted of just two words it, I believe it in no way belittles experiences of sexual harassment, it in fact capitalizes on it more than marches were able to. Because now when you see #metoo you don't think one single experience or tweet, you think of all the other times you saw that same exact hashtag, and the weight it now carries. And in that, media has altered the rigid societal perceptions surrounding assault.
Social media was able to host the biggest, and arguably the most influential social movements within the last 5 years. It helped the public understand the scope of an issue that was escalating without being largely addressed. This widespread acknowledgment of sexual assault couldn't have been possible without media.
No one could have anticipated how a real-life issue would materialize into one of the biggest hashtag movements in the history of social media. Twitter could no longer be interpreted as this unnecessary time wasting site, it was now a platform to expel the controversial truths of what happens every single day.
Sexual harassment and assault occur at unprecedented rates, but the social stigma surrounding this form of assault is extensive, making it increasingly difficult for victims to share their experiences, seek justice, or help. An aspect of social media that normally takes on a negative connotation is the ability people have to hide from the world. To seek solace behind a profile picture.
If not for this platform of media, survivors wouldn't have been able to openly discuss their experiences, in fear of it being twisted and contorted by a society that is so unwilling to listen. This hashtag gave a voice to those that otherwise wouldn't have had one. Media was consequential to the success of the Me Too movement. Twitter is such a powerful tool in the modern world, and it wouldn't let this hashtag be ignored.
More needed to be done than marching in the streets for social change. It's perceived as too assertive for women to proclaim about real life issues in such a provocative and profound way. God forbid we parade around with our false accusations and incendiary signs. Survivors could be ignored, and marches can only do so much. The movement needed to be compatible with our relationship with media.
It's imperative to acknowledge that the shape social change materializes into is determined by societal perceptions. To derail the image of a group of hysterical women, you present a single palatable hashtag. A single tweet that adds to an already growing movement. This is not to say that we should alter controversial subjects into something agreeable like a single tweet. Often times exchanging the vivid truth for the appeasement of an audience can minimize an experience. Though this movement consisted of just two words it, I believe it in no way belittles experiences of sexual harassment, it in fact capitalizes on it more than marches were able to. Because now when you see #metoo you don't think one single experience or tweet, you think of all the other times you saw that same exact hashtag, and the weight it now carries. And in that, media has altered the rigid societal perceptions surrounding assault.
Social media was able to host the biggest, and arguably the most influential social movements within the last 5 years. It helped the public understand the scope of an issue that was escalating without being largely addressed. This widespread acknowledgment of sexual assault couldn't have been possible without media.
Although there have been a lot of positive results that came from the #MeToo movement I have always wondered if it oversimplified the problem of sexual assault. In my opinion no story can be told through just one post and while I know that wasn't what many people were trying to do I am worried that people who read them saw that as the whole story. Don't get me wrong, it is important to share our stories of assault, but we have to keep in mind that movements such as these aren't the solution. It takes legislation, protests, better protection, and easier access to help to resolve the problem or at least minimize it.
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