Overview
#MeToo is a global movement against sexual harassment and assault, popularized by actress Alyssa Milano in October 2017 but founded over a decade earlier by activist Tarana Burke. The hashtag exploded virally as millions shared experiences of sexual violence, toppling powerful men across industries and sparking cultural reckoning with gendered violence.
Tarana Burke’s Origins (2006)
In 2006, Tarana Burke, a Black activist and survivor, founded the “Me Too” movement on Myspace to support survivors of sexual violence, particularly young women of color. Burke’s work focused on healing and community-building for marginalized survivors often excluded from mainstream feminist movements.
October 2017: Viral Moment
On October 15, 2017, actress Alyssa Milano tweeted: “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” The post went viral following The New York Times and The New Yorker exposés of Harvey Weinstein’s decades of sexual abuse, assault, and rape of actresses and employees.
Within 24 hours, #MeToo was used 12 million times. Facebook reported 4.7 million people posted “Me Too” in 12 million posts. The hashtag revealed the epidemic scale of sexual violence.
Key Allegations & Takedowns
Hollywood:
- Harvey Weinstein: 80+ women accused him; convicted 2020, sentenced to 23 years (later 16 additional years for Los Angeles assaults)
- Kevin Spacey: Multiple men accused him; removed from House of Cards
- Matt Lauer: Fired from NBC’s Today Show
- Louis C.K.: Admitted masturbating in front of women without consent
- R. Kelly: Convicted 2021 of racketeering and sex trafficking after years of allegations (popularized by #MuteRKelly)
Media & Journalism:
- Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly (Fox News): Decades of sexual harassment
- Charlie Rose (CBS): Fired after multiple allegations
- Les Moonves (CBS CEO): Resigned amid investigations
Tech:
- Travis Kalanick (Uber): Resigned amid toxic culture revelations
- Multiple VCs accused, with some firms dissolved
Politics:
- Al Franken (Senator): Resigned after groping allegations
- Roy Moore (Senate candidate): Accused of pursuing teenage girls; lost election
Time’s Up Movement
In January 2018, Hollywood women launched Time’s Up, a legal defense fund supporting survivors facing workplace harassment. Time’s Up raised $24 million+ and provided legal support to low-wage workers (farmworkers, hotel workers, domestic workers) disproportionately affected by harassment.
Global Spread
#MeToo spread worldwide under localized hashtags:
- #BalanceTonPorc (France, “Expose Your Pig”)
- #QuellaVoltaChe (Italy, “That Time When”)
- #Ana_kaman (#MeToo in Arabic)
- #WithYou (Japan)
- #MeTooIndia (India, following Tanushree Dutta’s allegations)
Backlash & Debates
“Witch hunt” claims: Trump and others called #MeToo a “dangerous” movement destroying men’s lives without due process.
Aziz Ansari controversy (2018): A woman’s account of a bad date with Ansari sparked debates about consent, coercion, and whether awkward encounters equated to assault.
Biden-Reade allegations (2020): Tara Reade accused Joe Biden of sexual assault; the case revealed political divides in applying #BelieveWomen.
Weinstein verdict debates: Weinstein’s conviction was celebrated but highlighted how rare convictions are - most accused men faced minimal consequences.
Cultural & Legal Impact
- Mandatory arbitration challenged: Many states banned forced arbitration for sexual harassment claims
- Statutes of limitations extended: Several states gave survivors more time to report
- Workplace policies: Companies updated harassment policies, training, and reporting mechanisms
- Power dynamics questioned: Industries confronted how power enables abuse
Tarana Burke’s Recognition
Burke was named Time’s Person of the Year (2017) alongside other “Silence Breakers.” She emphasized #MeToo’s origins in supporting survivors, particularly marginalized women, rather than toppling powerful men. Burke advocated for restorative justice and healing, not just punishment.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite high-profile takedowns, systemic change remains incomplete. Many survivors still face retaliation, disbelief, and financial/emotional barriers to reporting. The movement demonstrated the power of collective testimony while revealing entrenched resistance to accountability.