As the year comes to a close, many organizations are releasing their statistics from 2017. Spotify, an online music streaming app, came out with their annual list of personalized, most played songs and artists, made accessible to users via playlist. Rolling Stone published their list of top albums and songs based on the yearly charts. And Finally, Merriam Webster Dictionary came out with their word of the year- Feminism. The word was searched 70 percent more than in 2016. Merriam Webster defines feminism as, “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.”
The year started with a rather controversial presidential inauguration and was followed by the Women’s March on Washington just a day later. Women throughout the U.S. gathered in protest, bringing the grand total of protesters nationwide to more than 4 million. Protesters met to show their dismay with President Trump’s mistreatment of women, immigrants and other various minorities. Women also showed their support for sexual assault victims at the many marches throughout the nation.
2017 has been the year of changing what sexual assault is to women. Rather than something to be ashamed of and brush under the rug, women are speaking out about their experiences with sexual assault, using the hashtag, #metoo to share their stories. From celebrities to the girl sitting next to you, women all over took something once unspoken and private and took the stand to fight back in 2017.
We’ve heard a lot of, “me too,” since public allegations against Harvey Weinstein were made, but that’s not the root of the me too movement. Activist Tarana Burke started the movement over a decade ago. Burke works with a program for young women of color in Brooklyn, New York. After hearing a young girl’s story about sexual assault, and being so shocked at how easily she could relate, but shut down by how hard it was to admit, Burke says she couldn’t even say the only words going through her mind- Me too.
The movement has since escalated and became an entire being of its own. Women share their stories and offering comfort in the form of shared experiences daily. Since early October, when Weinstein was let go from his producing company, 42 other men in the business have either been fired or resigned due to sexual assault allegations. From Matt Lauer to comedian Louis C.K. to most recently Ryan Lizza, writer for The New Yorker and Political Analyst for CNN, the men who have been accused spread very far across the media spectrum.
By continuing to take a stand and holding men accountable, all while being there and offering support for other women, women are creating bonds with each other and empowering those who may be afraid to tell their stories. 2017 was a huge year for women taking a stand and making a difference for other women all around the world.
