“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead
The #MeToo movement began to raise awareness about sexual harassment and sexual abuse. It all began with a few courageous souls who decided to make public incidents of sexual abuse/crimes committed by powerful public figures. By late 2017 several high profile figures, such as Harvey Weinstein, found themselves being charged with crimes, fired, or at the very least criticized for their actions. It was shocking for the public to see the list of offenders continue to grow so quickly. People wondered who would be outed this week. The institutionalized abuse was rarely addressed, only whispered about in dark corners. Now it had been brought into the light. The “privilege” of acting inappropriately with women, often through bullying, intimidation, and assault was no longer a given. People were now being held accountable for both their present and past behavior. The movement has forced all of us, with any awareness, to reflect on our attitudes and behavior with women and also men. There is no doubt #MeToo has changed the culture in the US empowering those who have been intimidated, threatened, or assaulted to come forward. The movement has spread across the globe.
The attempts to counter the movement were predictable. It began with the usual denials. Next perpetrators attempted to claim victimhood. “What about the men who are falsely accused” some shouted. Some stated “it is we who are unsafe now.” This is very similar to the logic used when people direct our attention to “whites” who have been assaulted by police saying “the media does not show you that.” Or the statements “All Lives Matter” or “Blue Lives Matter” as an attempt to take the focus away from the issue at hand. Yes being accountable is scary as is reflecting on our behavior. The #MeToo Movement has forced us to reconsider our attitudes and behavior. We now are asking ourselves some questions when we interact with women. Is my behavior acceptable? Why do I compliment a woman in spandex and not a man? How does she feel about that comment? Is she offended? Am I treating her like an object? The opportunity for dialogue, growth, and more just and equitable treatment of women is here. We can end the patriarchy that has existed for millennia limiting the potential of women.
On April 2018, on the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s Assassination, National Geographic published the Race Issue. It began with a letter from the editor, Susan Goldberg, with the headline: “For Decades, Our Coverage was Racist. To Rise Above Our Past, We Must Acknowledge It.” This was a powerful statement and an accurate one. What motivated it? I would like to think it was genuine. The fact that somebody awakened to the fact that our media often perpetuates stereotypes and supports systemic racism was a leap in awareness. They had taken a huge step and by doing so offered a challenge to other organizations to do the same. But there was not all that much movement across the country. That is until recently.
Now we are in what I consider to be the second phase of the Civil Rights Movement galvanized by the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Change is happening at a fast pace. We all know about the protests and the sponsors who are dropping advertising spots on media giants who support or encourage racism. The NFL admitted it was a mistake banning protests and NASCAR removed the confederate flag. The English Premier League is playing its matches with Black Lives Matter Shirts. Statues of racist “heroes” are being toppled across the country. Quaker Oats is retiring the more than 130-year-old Aunt Jemima brand and logo, acknowledging its origins are based on a racial stereotype. The Pepsi-owned company said in a statement provided to CNN Business. “As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers’ expectations.” Note the statement “consumer’s expectations.” Your dollars are forcing the change and corporations will be jumping on the bandwagon to make certain they do not lose the share of a market that will spend their dollars based on their personal values and ethics. https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/business/aunt-jemima-logo-change/index.html. Uncle Ben’s Rice and Mrs. Butterworth’s are following their lead https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/business/uncle-bens-rice-racist/index.html. And some may actually be making changes because it is the right thing to do.
All across the country High Schools are changing their mascots. The “Gator Bait” chant is ending at the University of Florida. If you’re unfamiliar with it America’s past use of “gator bait” truly is disturbing – reportedly, white men would use African-American babies to lure gators out of swamps so they could hunt them more easily for their skin” https://www.tmz.com/2020/06/18/florida-bans-gator-bait-chant-over-racist-ties/. Maybe the Washington Redskins will even change their name. Organizations are evaluating their logos and people are being more cautious about making thoughtless comments like: “Obama, as a black candidate, could be successful thanks, in part, to his “light-skinned” appearance and speaking patterns “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.” That gem was attributed to Harry Reid by Journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. Reid later apologized for the comments.
The Food Coop I spend time at now has a Black Lives Matter Sign near the entrance. That’s another story, the demographics of the Coop itself as compared to the neighborhood in which they are situated. But the Mission and the membership does see themselves as a progressive bunch; People, Planet, Profits in that order. But we really like people with disposable income…a lot. Ah, yes, another uncomfortable conversation is on the horizon. Have I mentioned I’m an OWG teaching a Human Rights Course? More discomfort…but not for me. Please tell me something I don’t know, it’s really not that hard to find something, and increase my awareness so I don’t act upon my implicit bias.
So I am excited. We are trending towards a more just and equitable world and I want to be a part of it. You can to. Speak up! We need your voice. It is time to end the immense mental, emotional, physical, economic, and spiritual suffering brought about by all forms of structural violence. For all of us who desire a more just and peaceful world this is our moment. Take it!