The “Me Too” Movement Unbound
By Guest Contributing Writer Kris Wood
A powerful and courageous memoir, Unbound shares the history of Tarana Burke, the woman who, among many other achievements, started the “Me Too” movement.
The origins of this historic development, however, didn’t begin in 2017 when Hollywood actresses began coming forward. It actually started in 2006 as a place where women, particularly black and brown femmes, could be empowered to speak up to the sexual assault and harassment they’d experienced. It offered a platform for victims to not feel so alone, one where speaking their truth and telling their story allowed them to discover an unexpected freedom in themselves.
To step out of the grip of fear and shame is an act of courage so great that without the support and empathy of others, it typically doesn’t happen. Being the victim of abuse herself, Tarana knew the emotions, self-blame and fear that women carry during and after such attacks. Throughout her journey, she began to witness the control it had over her…affecting her choices and preventing her from fully stepping into the life she was creating.
Yet throughout her formative years, Tarana also found her voice and an inner strength. Her mother was her first and foremost defender, raising her with the knowledge of Black liberation struggles and their impact on the world around her. She was introduced to the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement (21C), which was founded by key individuals associated with Civil Rights, Black Power, labor, anti-apartheid and farm cooperatives.
Through this movement, she found a way to focus her energies and hone newfound skills. She discovered 21C in high school and continued to participate and gain more substantial roles throughout college and after all the while experiencing the aftermath of her own abuse.
She created one program after another in an attempt to address the sexual abuse that girls like her were subjected to at the hands of men in their lives. Girls who had no resources in which to heal from their soul injuries; no one who would objectively listen to their horror stories; someone to drive home the message that they were not bad or to blame for the actions that took place. This was particularly true for children, who could not and did not know better.
Yet even older girls were quick to blame themselves by mixing up proper behavior/manners with responsibility and accountability. In grappling with the guilt she experienced when unable to respond to a 13 year old girl named Heaven, who shared her abuse story, Ms. Burke took bold steps to own her story of rape and sexual abuse in order to help another young teen, Diamond, who was subjected to such assaults.
By recognizing the impact of not being alone in her fear and experience, the words “me too” came to her mind thereby fueling the movement. By sharing these simple words, she created a bridge for others to step into their own story and find the freedom beyond hoarding those memories.
“I have always had a vision for creating safety and healing in the Black community…It is why I share my story, and why I share the story of how “me too” came to be. For Heaven, Diamond, and Kaia, and little Tarana, and all the little colored girls who don’t have any other option but to live, learn, love, and try to thrive in the places where they were harmed.”
The historic “Me Too” movement has effectively raised awareness of the magnitude of sexual assault throughout the world, bringing many serial sexual predators to justice. However, the majority of those who stepped forth were white women.
“While the hashtag movement created space for everything from public dialogue to court cases and some semblance of accountability for scores of non-Black women, Black women and other folks of color were not allowed this same space.”
The work in helping women is on-going and challenging, particularly when the Black culture finds itself silenced due to the never-ending responsibility to “uplift the good name of our people”.
Tarana Burke, does just that though…through her words and bravery, she uplifts not only Blacks and other femmes of color, but women of all nationalities. We are ALL indebted to her! The impact she has made in the lives of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of women, is inspiring. The courage she demonstrates to shed light on this harrowing reality is unparalleled.
She shows up authentically and now, unapologetically. It is this strength of character and will that moves her forward to this day…seeking ways to change the narrative, support girls in impoverished neighborhoods who lack resources and to encourage strength in all those who otherwise may still be in hiding, from themselves and others due to the abuse they’ve endured.
Personally, I wasn’t willing to say it before but after reading Tarana Burke’s incredible story, she’s shown me that I do have the strength to say…
Me too.