MKUU #Metoo and Times Up

I have been struggling to stay focused and it has definitely been a challenge, but I have to start where I left off to ever make progress. With that being said, Happy New Year!!! So much is going on in the world today, it hard to know where to start: Politics -Trump has a new scandal every week, natural disasters - wild fires and mudslides in California, or Oprah's inspirational speech at the 2018 Golden Globes, or the Eagles 2018 Superbowl win over the Patriots. I basically try to avert from being to overzealous when discussing sensitive topics, but when it comes to sexual harassment I can't state the obvious loud enough. Sexual harassment is wrong and should not be tolerated, whether it is in the workplace, public setting or in private.

"#Metoo" went viral on social media in October 2017 to help demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment. But the movement "#Metoo" was created by social activist Tarana Burke back in 2006 as a grassroots campaign to promote "empowerment through empathy" among minority women who experienced sexual abuse, specifically within disadvantaged communities. Burke said she was inspired to use the phrase after being at a lost for words when responding to a 13-year-old girl who confided to her that she had been sexually assaulted. Burke stated later she wished she had simply told the girl, "me too". Several top industry titans have been exposed for sexual harassment; Actress Ashley Judd revealed dethroned media mogul - Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her in a NY Times expose, Today's Show star - Matt Lauer was fired after accusations were exposed that he created a sexually hostile work environment at NBC studios, even Def Jam founder Russell Simmons had allegations of sexual misconduct. Disgraced USA Olympic gymnast doctor, Lawrence Nassar, was recently sentenced to over 100 years in federal prison for sexually molesting countless numbers of girls participating in the USA gymnastic program. There were even accusations alleged against men by men, Kevin Spacey was implicated to have sexually assaulted a male actor when that actor was just a teen. It is extremely disturbing that the list of sexual allegations goes on and on. What I find sickening is how this sexually harassing culture has been allowed to exist for such a substantial period of time and nothing was ever done to address it until recently.

Women all around the world have been galvanized by the movement. They're exposing their accused and are no longer lying in silence as victims. Over 300 women of Hollywood A-List formed an anti-harassment coalition called "Times Up", which created a legal defense fund to assist women who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. Time Magazine named it's 2017 person of the year, "Silence Breakers", those individuals who have been in the forefront of the "#Metoo" movement. In January of this year, the second annual women's march took place and more than a million people took to the streets to protest for women's rights, encourage voter awareness and against Trump's administration and his policies. As a woman, I feel the need to stand by my fellow women who have had withstand the torment of sexual assault and abuse. I believe the long term effects are detrimental to society as a whole and we have to do whatever we can to prevent this type of behavior. Ignoring and avoiding obvious sexual overtones in the workplace, in social or private settings is co-signing this behavior and we just can't risk the consequences of allowing it to continue. Time is up for sexual harassment and sexual assault. I don't wan't anyone to continue to have to say "Me too", because it is time for it all to end. No more acceptance of "Locker Room talk" and inappropriate behavior. We will hold people accountable for their actions. And if they can't conduct themselves in a manner that is acceptable then we will expose them and remove them. End of story...