Why I'm not #MeToo


When it comes to sexual assault, it doesn't seem like in the #MeToo narrative, Black women who told their stories are anywhere in there, nor the Black women who have spoken out about Harvey Weinstein and others. Mostly invisible, they've been shut out like their voices don't matter. Their choice is to go it alone and be condemned or join a movement and be ignored. My perception is that #MeToo is not about all women, just some women.

What Black women are forced to endure has little support. Janet Jackson, Venus and Serena Williams, Michelle Obama, Maxine Waters, Rhianna, Frederica Wilson and Leslie Jones are constantly suffering racist attacks. In N.S. accounts by women like El Jones verifies the same treatment. White women do not come out in droves to speak about racism. Few are to be found in the Black Lives Matter movement though Black men and women are being murdered by law enforcement officers. Colin Kaepernick suffers a nearly insurmountable amount of ridicule for standing up for justice.

Black people have a role to play in side this dynamic.They can't remain bystanders waiting for a saviour. Our lives depend on action in a society, again, becoming increasingly racist. We have to fight with our feet, our pens and our voices. This is not a time to be passive and rely on goodwill and the gains we've made. It can all vanish in the twinkling of an eye, depending on who the power structures are.

Until Black women are shown respect and love, I prefer to go it alone by speaking up and drawing out the insincerity and double-standards. What we must all do is remain alert.