The #MeToo Movement is a social and cultural event where technology played a significant role in its spread and impact. The movement began in October 2017 and aimed to raise awareness of sexual harassment and assault and to support survivors who came forward with their stories. In this reflection, I will consider how my analysis of the #MeToo Movement might have turned out differently if I had looked at it through a different lens and how critically analyzing the technology’s role in the event can help interactions with those of a different viewpoint, culture, or perspective.
Integrating Reliable Evidence from Varied Sources
The #MeToo Movement has been a powerful force in the fight against sexual harassment and assault. A wide range of sources has supported it. For instance, data from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) shows that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the US will be raped at some point in their lives, while 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men experience sexual harassment in their lifetime (Smith et al., 2018). The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that every 68 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted (RAINN). Additionally, the role of social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, in amplifying the #MeToo Movement has been well documented. A report by the Pew Research Center found that 75% of American women who have heard of the #MeToo movement believe that it has positively impacted their ability to talk about sexual harassment and assault (Brown, 2022). This evidence emphasizes the high amount of research done to uncover the severity of sexual harassment in our society.
One Way My Analysis Might Have Been Different If I Had Used One of the Other General Education Lenses to Analyze the Technology’s Role in The Event.
If I had used a different general education lens to analyze the technology’s role in the #MeToo Movement, my analysis might have focused more on a feminist lens. Through a feminist lens, the analysis would focus on the systemic and structural power imbalances that underlie sexual harassment and assault and how technology has been used to challenge and subvert these imbalances (Durana, Lenhart, Miller, Schulte, & Weingarten, 2018). Technology has challenged these imbalances by providing a platform for victims to speak out and creating ethical frameworks for AI development that promote human survival. For instance, the anonymity provided by social media platforms has allowed survivors to come forward with their stories without fear of retribution while also providing a space for collective action and solidarity.
How critically analyzing the technology’s role in the event can help interactions with those of a different viewpoint, culture, or perspective
Greater awareness of technology strengthens individual conversations. For instance, in my personal life, I have used my understanding of the role of technology in the #MeToo Movement to engage in more informed and nuanced discussions with friends and family about sexual harassment and assault. By considering how technology has been used to both challenge and reinforce power imbalances, I have been able to have more meaningful conversations about these important social and cultural issues.
The #MeToo Movement is a powerful example of how technology can challenge and subvert systemic power imbalances and support survivors of sexual harassment and assault. By considering the role of technology through diverse perspectives and lenses, we can have more informed discussions about these important issues and work towards a more just and equitable world. Technology can help us recognize the importance of listening to and amplifying survivors’ voices and creating a safe and supportive environment for them to share their stories.
References
Brown, A. (2022, October 06). More than twice as many Americans support than oppose the #MeToo movement. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/09/29/more-than-twice-as-many-americans-support-than-oppose-the-metoo-movement/
Durana, A., Lenhart, A., Miller, R., Schulte, B., & Weingarten, E. (2018). Sexual harassment: A severe and pervasive problem. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.newamerica.org/better-life-lab/reports/sexual-harassment-severe-and-pervasive-problem/summary-of-findings/
RAINN. (n.d.). Scope of the problem: Statistics. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem
Smith S., Zhang X., Merrick M., Wang J., Kresnow M., & Chen J. (2018). Statistics. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics
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