The #MeToo tag has been popping up all over Facebook and most people might not know what it means or why it is so important to support it.
Every woman at one point in her life has been exposed to someone who has either passed a comment or attempted something more that was unwarranted and unwanted. It can be a stranger whistling from a car to a much more serious altercation.
The problem is that the blame is always put on the victim instead of the perpetrator. Even in modern society the names we use to describe crimes against women subliminally blames women. Here is an example: Instead of violence against women, why isn’t is violence perpetrated by men? The same applies when discussing statistics, for example instead of saying “x number of women are raped per day in South Africa, why are we not saying that x number of men are raping?”
The issue in South Africa is at an all-time high and it is not productive to the cause to have women in government dismiss the fact that there is an issue. Men should be taught to behave differently instead of teaching women how to deal with it. This is exactly why the ‘Men Are Trash’ movement was started.
The #MeToo tag is important because for every tag a person sees on social media, they need to remember that, that woman has been harassed at least once but most likely more times than she cares to admit.
Below is the description of the #MeToo tag, it explains exactly why it is happening.
“Me Too.
If all women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted at any point in their lives wrote “Me Too” as a status, we might better grasp the magnitude of the problem. It is significant and serious.
Share. Copy. Paste. #MeToo”
The problem really is serious and society needs to take action in raising men who understand their impact on women. Our Good Things Guy, Brent, was deeply moved by the realisation of the movement and shared his thoughts on the matter.
So many #MeToo posts on my timeline. So incredibly heartbreaking. I am sorry that you have had to endure such a horrible side of humanity.
— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) October 17, 2017
I’m sorry no one was there to protect you. I can’t tell you how to feel & I can’t change your past but I will fight to protect your future.
— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) October 17, 2017
I am here for you. I will always be here for you. I promise to stand with you, by you & I will do everything in my power to protect you.
— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) October 17, 2017