Actress Alyssa Milano has started the #MeToo social media campaign, showing women they aren't the only individuals facing sexual assault and harassment. The campaign went viral, generating thousands of responses, retweets, likes, giving a supreme sense of magnitude to the problem.
Australian journalist and screenwriter Benjamin Law has created the hashtag #HowIWillChange in response to Milano's effort. He used it as a tool to publicly announce his support and to commit to change against the culture of sexual violence.
The act of sharing devastating #MeToo stories on social media shook the public, highlighting how many women have had similar experiences. Eventually, as the flood of these messages continued, women started asking men what are they going to do to address the situation. Law's #HowIWillChange is just what everyone needed. It will give voice to all who want to stand up. "I will never blame a victim," one guy wrote. "I will keep showing my 3 sons and one grandson how to honor and respect women," said the other. Scroll down to read how men are getting involved and upvote your favorite pledges.
More info: Twitter
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On Sunday I asked my father when was the last time he catcalled a woman. He looked me dead in the eye and said never. I asked him why. He told me his father had told him to not do that to a woman. My father is just short of his 88th birthday. He has always been a beacon of integrity, honour and honesty and calling a spade a spade. He is not and was not perfect. He is one of the finest human beings I know. I love you dad. I thank you for being a father to this crazy daughter.
I have taught my son how to respect women. He is only 15 and I am so proud of how he steps up daily to tell other teens to knock it off when they are cat calling, touching, teasing the young girls.
I give them props. They're recognizing and trying. I say Good for Them.
And this is where the problem lies Mr. George Hall..men like you.
"No more going along to get along"... So many men could do so much for this issue just by following that last sentence. Bless you ,sir
Thanks for doing your bit. U have no idea how many women are touched by this amazing response from men.
I would hope that you will learn to be a better friend too in being supportive.
Hope most of these promises aren't just made to enable us use the hashtags only. We really need to mean them and keep them #howIwillchange
If you screwed up and you were actually listening to women and not just hearing them, then you have no right to get butthurt. If you continue to do so, may I suggest therapy to work through the reasons your feelings get crushed when someone tells you that you sexually assaulted someone.
Listen to what she says - reading through all of these I kept thinking you guys are missing out on the most important part. And this is it. No more: 'Well at least it wasn't a stranger'. No more: 'At least he didn't beat you'. No more: 'Oh well, you were drunk, so really it was your fault'. And to hell with: 'Yeah, well, if you dress like that...'
Since many harassers and abusers have gotten stealthy about it, a lot of us are stunned and slow to react, even the targets many times. I wonder if role playing would help us recognize and react more in the moment?
Never understood cat calling. What's the goal? I'm serious, I literally don't understand the purpose. Is it to hopefully make the person suddenly become attracted to you? Is it to give a compliment? Neither of these make any sense, but I can't think of any other motivation.
That is a great idea but please don't just put women in your organization leadership because they are just women. Please make sure they are qualified for the position. Affirmative Action is not the answer nor the solution.
I adore these concrete answers. It does help to call out toxic behavior, it does more to actively empower those downtrodden. Kudo Benjamin!
No, not always. Women can harass too, it doesn't happen as often, but it does happen. And as a side note, men are more likely to be domestically abused than women are
OMG George Hall - even I have to comment on this #NotAllMen #SomeWomenToo. Come speak to me when 1 in 4 men have been sexually harassed or abused in some form. No-one is saying women are incapable of it or that no men have ever been raped or sexually harassed. It happens and needs to be addressed too - but this, right now, is NOT ABOUT YOU!
Load More Replies...Should matter whether she is some man's relation. If she was a clone grown in a vat, she would be worthy of respect in her own right!
How about respectful speech and behavior toward all women, nit just the ones you have a relationship with? How about respectful speech about girls and their abilities?
This is good, but sometimes it's even better if you do say "Let's hear what he has to say", you hear it, then you tell both him and her that what he said was b******t, and explain why. But of course as in any emotional situation, sometimes it's hard to tell when this is appropriate and when it is not appropriate.
How you could change: - Be supportive of men who want to change for the better! This tweet sounds like you hold them in contempt because you (think you) are way ahead of them. - Acknowledge your privilege! Maybe you had better parenting, and/or some other lucky circumstances that meant you didn't marinade in rape culture day in and day out. Thinking you are a better person because you don't have these faults is not helpful. The men who want to change are showing/learning compassion. Where's yours?
There is always something we can do, even as females to help change things. Denial and saying you're perfect and don't need to change not only is degrading to this protest but also your need to defend yourself making sure people don't think bad of you shows that to you this protest is more about glorifying yourself then anything else
I really hope everyone remembers all this. The MeToo HowIWillChange, I hope it isn't forgotten because we are fighting harassment and this is a huge step to stop it. So I sincerely hope that this movement isn't forgotten.
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Load More Replies...This is honestly really cool to see, it's unfortunate that something like this took a while to happen, but I'm really glad it is
A HUGE thank you to every one of the men who have taken the time to respond to this!! You guys are awesome!
Imo, it's kinda sad that this all has to hit the media and with a # going viral, for some people to realize that certain behavior against women (or men!) is just wrong....
Nah, people already knew, this is just making it more popular. Any progress is progress, don't bring people down because of it.
Load More Replies...Sooooo ... Is anyone going to mention Trump's 'Locker room talk' b******t?!?
Well of course not. He was just speaking his mind after all.... *eye roll*
Load More Replies...Also, it wasnt alyssa milano who started the tag, it was an activist (the story is on twitter)
"And Every Woman Should See It"? I'm so glad you're sharing this collection, but I think something more like "Every Woman (And Man) Should See It." Because while for us women it's very healing and reassuring to know that men are also working to make the world a better place... and showing that we may not be as surrounded by wolves as we often fear we are... I think it's also important for men to hear other men speak up like this, too. Otherwise, they're just preaching to the choir. These men aren't just being brave enough to say all this to score points with women... they're also calling out to their fellow men to follow suit. Feminism/Gender Equality/Egalitarianism (whatever you wish to call it; it's the same thing) is for everyone, both to create, and to reap the benefits from. :)
Just so we're clear actress Alyssa Milano is being credited with creating the hashtag; but in actuality, it was started 10-years-ago by consultant, blogger and advocate Tarana Burke for women of color who especially felt like they were alone and couldnt speak up about harassment and rape. i still dont understand how black voices keep getting hijacked. but its good to see #metoo move to the men, we all can do better #sayhername #TaranaBurke
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...This is a good start, but I'm frustrated that no one's mentioning the role of pornography in shaping men's attitudes toward women. If guys really want to talk about #HowIWillChange, you need to say #NoPorn.
As younger female I am absolutely appalled that this has to be a thing. This should be common. F*****g. Sense to not treat ANYONE that way. This should have be fixed a LONG f*****g time ago.
Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy that something is happening and it happening so widespread but my point still remains
Load More Replies..."I will not continually train my mind to see women as sex objects by partaking in porn/strip club culture which frames male/female sexual relationships in the context of objectification for the only goal of self-pleasure. Because viewing women as objects and treating women as objects are not mutually exclusive." Now that would be a declaration...one that *many* people would try to argue isn't relevant to the issue of sexual assault/harassment.
Me Too originated 10 years ago. please correct. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-me-too-campaign-was-created-by-a-black-woman-10-years-ago_us_59e61a7fe4b02a215b336fee
What I learned from that, almost half of all men would watch their partner get harassed and the other half doesn't understand what the word change means. Listen dudes, change is doing something different, not just virtue signaling and saying I always respected women.
Yup. If you are already on point, why the need to shout it to the world? To altruistically cast your vote to show solidarity? Uh......right.
Load More Replies...Can I say, women need to change too. I was recently having issues getting a document signed by an older male client and a female co-worker offered to "put on a low cut blouse and stop by his office" to get it signed. I just laughed and told her I would handle it. Later I felt skeevy for not calling out her inappropriate comment. I felt like the client deserved more respect and her attitude about using her sexuality to get what she wanted was inappropriate and insulting to me, the client, and people in general.
OMG! Thank you all for making the stand that all of us as human beings need to make when we see injustice. Standing in line at gas station/ convenience store while listening to one punk with his 3 teenage male friends make very loud derogatory comments about the clerk since he had a dot on his forehead. I went off on them yelling that this is America land that guarantees FREEDOM OF RELIGION and how dare they mock him that the blood of our soldiers secured that right. By the time I was done they were hanging their heads. I was really mad to hear this type of derogatory talk. REMEMBER this, for evil to exist requires good people to do OR say nothing. All of us are needed to say," hey, that's not right, stop doing that". We after all are ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND ALL DESERVE RESPECT.
Hah, the awkward moment when you think that one hashtag will apologise harassment ... :/ I was raised by single mother who taught me how to respect other people, lost most of the male friends and elementary school and high school because of my comments against the so called "locker room talk" or harassment
Alyssa milano who ? She didn't start anything... A black woman named Tarana Burke is the original creator of the #MeToo campaign http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/the-me-too-campaign-was-created-by-a-black-woman-10-years-ago_us_59e61a7fe4b02a215b336fee
Jesus Christ this is stupid either these men are coming from a deeply problematical place in the first place, ("I will now take no for an answer", really??? it takes some random Hollywood scandal for you to obey basic social(non rapey) norms), or this is all just some stupid disingenuous attempt to pander to Feminists. How will I change? I wont because I don't and have never treated anyone differently because of their gender, I never not taken no for an answer, thought less of someone at work because she's a woman, don't make rape jokes that make women uncomfortable and if I do make a woman uncomfortable some how I will explain or apologised if I have over stepped the mark, these are basic things I do with anyone that I might offend. God this is stupid.
i think you may be a bit too harsh. That particular guy, the way I understood, spoke for men as population. There is no harm in articulating and repeating basic rules. "No means no" until it becomes a rock.
Load More Replies...There is a shift going on in this world, and it has been predicted in numerous prophesies. The divine feminine energy is finding its way back after oppression and suppression for thousands of years. I am so happy to finally see the walls cracking between masculine and feminine. The Yin and Yang are finally coming back as one, just wait and see.
Oh, barf. Screw "the divine", whatever that means. WE are the ones who will make the changes we need.
Load More Replies...And I saw a whole lot of men realizing their mistakes and resolving to do better, or sharing how they'll try to change the world around them when they already treat women equally. I guess everyone sees the world differently. I choose to see positive messages as a positive thing. :)
Load More Replies...If you don't think that happens here, then you are dreaming in Technicolor. And this article is not about your total inability to manage human contact, it's about women being harassed. Go back to your MRA reddit where you'll have fellow whiners to reinforce you.
Load More Replies...What a stupid comment. It's s**t like that that causes men to laugh at these causes in the first place. If you think 50% of the world is sick, evil and disgusting, then you're already beyond help and I pity you.
Load More Replies...buddy, while what you are saying is true, it is a horrible time to say it. you may not mean to do this, but whenever you or someone else tries to point out that 'the other side' has it rough too, it ends up being a dismissal to the side that spoke up first. Basically, it is the mentality of, "stop whining, we got problems too." even if that is not your intention, that is what people interpret.
Load More Replies...I really hope everyone remembers all this. The MeToo HowIWillChange, I hope it isn't forgotten because we are fighting harassment and this is a huge step to stop it. So I sincerely hope that this movement isn't forgotten.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...This is honestly really cool to see, it's unfortunate that something like this took a while to happen, but I'm really glad it is
A HUGE thank you to every one of the men who have taken the time to respond to this!! You guys are awesome!
Imo, it's kinda sad that this all has to hit the media and with a # going viral, for some people to realize that certain behavior against women (or men!) is just wrong....
Nah, people already knew, this is just making it more popular. Any progress is progress, don't bring people down because of it.
Load More Replies...Sooooo ... Is anyone going to mention Trump's 'Locker room talk' b******t?!?
Well of course not. He was just speaking his mind after all.... *eye roll*
Load More Replies...Also, it wasnt alyssa milano who started the tag, it was an activist (the story is on twitter)
"And Every Woman Should See It"? I'm so glad you're sharing this collection, but I think something more like "Every Woman (And Man) Should See It." Because while for us women it's very healing and reassuring to know that men are also working to make the world a better place... and showing that we may not be as surrounded by wolves as we often fear we are... I think it's also important for men to hear other men speak up like this, too. Otherwise, they're just preaching to the choir. These men aren't just being brave enough to say all this to score points with women... they're also calling out to their fellow men to follow suit. Feminism/Gender Equality/Egalitarianism (whatever you wish to call it; it's the same thing) is for everyone, both to create, and to reap the benefits from. :)
Just so we're clear actress Alyssa Milano is being credited with creating the hashtag; but in actuality, it was started 10-years-ago by consultant, blogger and advocate Tarana Burke for women of color who especially felt like they were alone and couldnt speak up about harassment and rape. i still dont understand how black voices keep getting hijacked. but its good to see #metoo move to the men, we all can do better #sayhername #TaranaBurke
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...This is a good start, but I'm frustrated that no one's mentioning the role of pornography in shaping men's attitudes toward women. If guys really want to talk about #HowIWillChange, you need to say #NoPorn.
As younger female I am absolutely appalled that this has to be a thing. This should be common. F*****g. Sense to not treat ANYONE that way. This should have be fixed a LONG f*****g time ago.
Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy that something is happening and it happening so widespread but my point still remains
Load More Replies..."I will not continually train my mind to see women as sex objects by partaking in porn/strip club culture which frames male/female sexual relationships in the context of objectification for the only goal of self-pleasure. Because viewing women as objects and treating women as objects are not mutually exclusive." Now that would be a declaration...one that *many* people would try to argue isn't relevant to the issue of sexual assault/harassment.
Me Too originated 10 years ago. please correct. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-me-too-campaign-was-created-by-a-black-woman-10-years-ago_us_59e61a7fe4b02a215b336fee
What I learned from that, almost half of all men would watch their partner get harassed and the other half doesn't understand what the word change means. Listen dudes, change is doing something different, not just virtue signaling and saying I always respected women.
Yup. If you are already on point, why the need to shout it to the world? To altruistically cast your vote to show solidarity? Uh......right.
Load More Replies...Can I say, women need to change too. I was recently having issues getting a document signed by an older male client and a female co-worker offered to "put on a low cut blouse and stop by his office" to get it signed. I just laughed and told her I would handle it. Later I felt skeevy for not calling out her inappropriate comment. I felt like the client deserved more respect and her attitude about using her sexuality to get what she wanted was inappropriate and insulting to me, the client, and people in general.
OMG! Thank you all for making the stand that all of us as human beings need to make when we see injustice. Standing in line at gas station/ convenience store while listening to one punk with his 3 teenage male friends make very loud derogatory comments about the clerk since he had a dot on his forehead. I went off on them yelling that this is America land that guarantees FREEDOM OF RELIGION and how dare they mock him that the blood of our soldiers secured that right. By the time I was done they were hanging their heads. I was really mad to hear this type of derogatory talk. REMEMBER this, for evil to exist requires good people to do OR say nothing. All of us are needed to say," hey, that's not right, stop doing that". We after all are ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND ALL DESERVE RESPECT.
Hah, the awkward moment when you think that one hashtag will apologise harassment ... :/ I was raised by single mother who taught me how to respect other people, lost most of the male friends and elementary school and high school because of my comments against the so called "locker room talk" or harassment
Alyssa milano who ? She didn't start anything... A black woman named Tarana Burke is the original creator of the #MeToo campaign http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/the-me-too-campaign-was-created-by-a-black-woman-10-years-ago_us_59e61a7fe4b02a215b336fee
Jesus Christ this is stupid either these men are coming from a deeply problematical place in the first place, ("I will now take no for an answer", really??? it takes some random Hollywood scandal for you to obey basic social(non rapey) norms), or this is all just some stupid disingenuous attempt to pander to Feminists. How will I change? I wont because I don't and have never treated anyone differently because of their gender, I never not taken no for an answer, thought less of someone at work because she's a woman, don't make rape jokes that make women uncomfortable and if I do make a woman uncomfortable some how I will explain or apologised if I have over stepped the mark, these are basic things I do with anyone that I might offend. God this is stupid.
i think you may be a bit too harsh. That particular guy, the way I understood, spoke for men as population. There is no harm in articulating and repeating basic rules. "No means no" until it becomes a rock.
Load More Replies...There is a shift going on in this world, and it has been predicted in numerous prophesies. The divine feminine energy is finding its way back after oppression and suppression for thousands of years. I am so happy to finally see the walls cracking between masculine and feminine. The Yin and Yang are finally coming back as one, just wait and see.
Oh, barf. Screw "the divine", whatever that means. WE are the ones who will make the changes we need.
Load More Replies...And I saw a whole lot of men realizing their mistakes and resolving to do better, or sharing how they'll try to change the world around them when they already treat women equally. I guess everyone sees the world differently. I choose to see positive messages as a positive thing. :)
Load More Replies...If you don't think that happens here, then you are dreaming in Technicolor. And this article is not about your total inability to manage human contact, it's about women being harassed. Go back to your MRA reddit where you'll have fellow whiners to reinforce you.
Load More Replies...What a stupid comment. It's s**t like that that causes men to laugh at these causes in the first place. If you think 50% of the world is sick, evil and disgusting, then you're already beyond help and I pity you.
Load More Replies...buddy, while what you are saying is true, it is a horrible time to say it. you may not mean to do this, but whenever you or someone else tries to point out that 'the other side' has it rough too, it ends up being a dismissal to the side that spoke up first. Basically, it is the mentality of, "stop whining, we got problems too." even if that is not your intention, that is what people interpret.
Load More Replies...