Understanding The #MeToo Movement From Black And Brown Gals’ Perspective

By The DivaGals | March 7, 2020 | Gal Approved

The #MeToo campaign, otherwise known as the Me Too Movement, is a movement against sexual assault and sexual harassment. Since October 2017, women from all over the world have been encouraged to speak up about this form of harassment after a call to action came to light. The aim of the hashtag ‘Me Too’ was to show the magnitude of sexual assault, something sexual abuse attorneys will tell you happens way more often than people realize.

While it may seem that the “Me Too” movement only speaks for Caucasian women, black and brown women have also been affected. Here are some powerful quotes from black and brown celebs who have claimed the #MeToo movement as their own fight.

Tarana Burke is the activist who started the Me Too movement, which was quickly supported by actress Alyssa Milano, who wrote a tweet that sparked it all. “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.

“Asking women why they didn’t report their sexual assault right away is akin to asking someone why they didn’t report their own kidnapping.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Aparna Nancherla.

“The predator wants your silence. It feeds their power, entitlement AND they want it to feed your shame. Our bodies are not the ‘spoils of war’… a trophy to be collected to fuel your ego. It’s OURS!!! It doesn’t belong to you!! And when you take it without permission, it DESTROYS…… like a virus!!! To the predators…Weinstein, the stranger, the relative, the boyfriend…. I say to you, ‘You can choose your sin but you don’t get to choose the consequences.’ To the victims … I see you. I believe you … and I’m listening.” – Viola Davis

America Ferrera posted a powerful personal account on her Instagram to inspire women to speak out. “First time I can remember being sexually assaulted I was 9 years old. I told no one and lived with the shame and guilt thinking all along that I, a 9-year-old child, was somehow responsible for the actions of a grown man. I had to see this man on a daily basis for years to come. He would smile at me and wave, and I would hurry past him, my blood running cold, my guts carrying the burden of what only he and I knew — that he expected me to shut my mouth and smile back. Ladies, let’s end this silence so the next generation of girls won’t have to live with this bullshit.”

Lupita Nyong’o has spoken on why calling out predatory behavior is critical. “Now that we are speaking, let us never shut up about this kind of thing. I speak up to make certain that this is not the kind of misconduct that deserves a second chance. I speak up to contribute to the end of the conspiracy of silence.”

So there we have it: some of the most powerful quotes from brown and black gals on the Me Too movement. This campaign has been the start of big changes when it comes to female harassment and abuse. There is a long way to go but the more we speak about it, they won’t be able to ignore us.

photo credit: Veuve Cliquot