From a single tweet to a worldwide cyber revolution

The #MeToo tornado that broke the internet recently has blown over for now. That is, if you look at the frequency of posts, photos and tweets containing the hash-tag that are being published online.

During the first 24 hours of the movement, more than 12 million posts were published, solely on Facebook, and the hashtag was since then shared in at least 85 countries around the world.

Three months have passed since the first hashtag was tweeted, but when taking a closer look – the movement is in fact nowhere near reaching its endpoint.

Many will have asked themselves from the outset if the campaign would bring any justice to the victims, and lead to consequences for the perpetrators. In some instances the campaign has led to a change in people’s perceptions, a realisation of the severity of the problem and to the spreading of awareness.

In other cases the campaign has, sadly enough, instead led to misbelief and criticism. The opposition in question have, however, been coming more or less entirely from men ­– an observation that comes with little surprise.

First of all, let’s not underestimate the effect of a movement that’s being recognised and highlighted.

We all know from looking at battles fought and won throughout history, that no change ever came from keeping your voice down and simply accepting the situation. Secondly, this movement has had an impact and it continues to have one.

Since the #MeToo campaign reached Sweden, a series of events have taken place. Women professionals in several industries around Sweden have one by one gathered to sign open letters alleging widespread sexual harassment in their respective industry.

The letters have then been published in daily newspapers and on social media, along with first person accounts detailing acts of sexual harassment made by males in positions of power.

Sweden’s Television, the national public broadcaster in Sweden, published on November 20th a full list of the industries that joined the movement, and the amount of signatures. The list contains open letters from 27 industries, all with their own personal hashtag and most of them with over hundreds or thousands of signatures.

These actions have led to the disclosure of several penal acts made by men in positions of power, and ultimately to the termination of their placements. Among the accused are journalists, TV-personalities, executives and public figures of different types. The movement stretches across all industries and various sociology historians and journalists all seem to agree – this is not nearly the end of the debate.

Meanwhile, a series of events have taken place in the US. During December and January, various TV and radio show hosts, senators and actors have either left or been forced to leave their jobs.

An initiative called Time’s Up was formed on January 1st where 300 female Hollywood heavyweights got together to combat sexual harassment. At the Golden Globes, where Oprah Winfrey received the Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime achievement, Winfrey praised the women who have come forward with their stories.

Although these are just examples, mainly Hollywood have been speaking up. So far.

Various artists, both male and female, wore white roses in solidarity with the movement and as a sign of sympathy, hope and resistance at the 2018 the Grammy Awards. Far from everyone, should be said, but far more than none.

The most significant feature of the whole night, however, was undoubtedly the moment when Janelle Monae – artist, actress and producer – got a few minutes of spotlight, before introducing Kesha to the stage. Monae said she was “proud to stand in solidarity” with other women in the music industry – from all sectors of the business. “We come in peace, but we mean business,” she said.

The #MeToo movement has gone from a tweet to a worldwide cyber revolution, from Hollywood to the music industry – and it will continue to spread.

Unfortunately, Ireland is not free of sexual harassment and discrimination and we also need to stand up in solidarity. And we will. Although the tweet storm has paused, the movement hasn’t – it’s just taken on a different approach.

Monae’s words sum it up perfectly: “To those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time’s Up.”