Students Perspective on the Me Too Movement

Zsyrii Ennis, Co Editor-In-Chief

With sexual assault victims gaining the strength to confront their attackers there has been more attention drawn to sexual assault awareness. For one, there has been a popularized hashtag on social media, the #metoo hashtag. According to metoomvmt.org  “the me too movements was ultimately created to ensure survivors know they’re not alone in their journey.”

As recent sexual assault cases become popularized, such as those of Bill Cosby and Larry Nassar, woman have been gaining the confidence to speak out and encourage others to speak out too. According to metoomvmt.org “The “me too” movement was founded in 2006 to help survivors of sexual violence, particularly young women of color from low wealth communities find pathways to healing.” The founder, Tarana Burke, is an African-American civil rights activist whose also founded the “Girls for Gender Equality” organization.

High school students are growing up in the midst of progression. After asking Freshman Ana Idler her opinion on these women becoming more confident in speaking out, she said “I’m glad the people who harassed them might get what they deserve.”

Sophomore Kayshon Wright was asked about how he feels about sexual assault victims gaining courage to confront their attackers, and he responded saying ” I think it’s a good sign of change that people are able to come out and feel comfortable….. but I also feel that because it is such a sensitive subject it makes it easy for people to make false claims and harm someone’s reputation.”

The #MeToo movement has caused a chain reaction with helping victims speak out Junior Nina Grandy says “I hope that this continues and that this movement brings more awareness to sexual assault.”