User:Bb0208/MeToo movement

Edit 1 – Politics and Government
In July 2018, former President Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh for a position in the supreme court. Following this, many women found the courage to step up and say 'me too' to allegations against Kavanaugh. Christine Blasey Ford was one of the first women to come forward and accuse Kavanaugh, claiming he sexually assaulted her at a house party in high school. Another woman also claimed that she too fell victim to his sexual crimes during his time at Yale University, where he allegedly exposed himself at a dorm party and thrust his genitals in the woman's face. Despite these allegations, Kavanaugh was appointed the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court which left many women to feel powerless, and that their voices meant nothing. Some compared the feeling to those felt initially following the abuse.

Edit 2 – Social Justice and Journalism
In October 2017, investigative journalists Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey, and Ronan Farrow wrote articles in The New York Times and The New Yorker exposing Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of numerous sexual crimes. The articles depicted accounts from several women who could testify or confirm sexually inappropriate acts committed by Weinstein. Despite his numerous blackmail and intimidation attempts to cover up the story, the articles went on to play a role in achieving his trial and conviction, where he was found guilty of felony sex crimes and third degree rape.

Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey later went on to note how the initial social media outburst flooded news outlets with information and tips regarding sexual assault cases. Reflecting on this, Kantor stated, “This is a case in which journalism stepped in when other systems failed.”

Edit 3 – Lack of representation of minority women
The start of the #MeToo movement showed many positive benefits, such as gaining worldwide attention and awareness by its popularity. However, it received a lot of backlash as well for taking the phrase 'me too' created by and for women of color and whitewashing it. While this movement was initially created for all women, once it became a social media trend the focus shifted to white women since, “White, affluent, cisgender, and conventionally attractive women – were more likely to have their #MeToo posts amplified.”