Close Ad

2017 TIME’s Person of The Year Recognizes Courage of #MeToo “Silence Breakers”
time-person-of-the-year-cover
Uplifting News

2017 TIME’s Person of The Year Recognizes Courage of #MeToo “Silence Breakers”

time-person-of-the-year-cover

Following a controversial shortlist, TIME magazine has announced this year’s person of the year in a move that many are hailing not only as revolutionary, but as a perfect ending to 2017.


Dubbed “the silence breakers”, the women and men that have come forward with disturbing – and disturbingly common – stories of workplace sexual harassment have been named "person of the year", giving renewed effort and energy to the massive social movement.

2017: A year of great shift in attitudes and mentality

A year of great shifts in attitudes and mentality, 2017 has seen sweeping revelations of sexual harassment throughout the world.

From some of the most famed names in Hollywood to everyday women and men, October saw dozens, then hundreds, then hundreds of thousands join a movement that started in ‘00s, revealing painful instances of workplace harassment and assault.

Often anonymously, sometimes publicly in the media, the #MeToo movement was joined by millions around the world, sparking marches, new legislative initiatives, extensive media coverage and one of the most widespread social media engagements ever.

The origins of the #MeToo hashtag

First used in the ‘00s by social activist Tamara Burke in an effort to spark solidarity among young survivors of sexual assault, the #metoo phrase sparked a global conversation after actor Alyssa Milano tweeted it on Oct. 15, in the wake of widespread accusation of sexual misconduct and assault by now-disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.

Accompanied by a call to arms that read “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted, write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet”, the hashtag spread like wildfire online, encouraging countless individuals around the world to bravely come forward with their own stories, often risking vicious online attacks.

Many joined in anonymously, fearing workplace backlash and damage to their careers and livelihoods – as well as their families’ –, further illustrating the need for the long-overdue focus.

The far-reaching repercussions and backlash many accusers face were further illustrated on Time magazine’s cover, where one of the many “silence breakers” is pictured anonymously.

The unnamed elbow and what it stands for

With only her right arm included in the cover shot, a young hospital worker from Texas still felt the need to take part in the watershed movement to show other individuals in similar positions that there is a place and a supportive audience for their stories.

To show that times may be finally changing, that survivors will not be silenced and that the days of perpetrators being protected may finally be over. That arm represents all of us anonymous faces and voices in the crowd.  As many have remarked, we all are Time’s person of the year.

Message of hope for the future

While we may be far from ending the heinous practice in our communities – local or global –, Time magazine’s recognition of the “silence breakers” as the most influential people of 2017 marks an important milestone in the fight against sexual harassment. And illustrates that a few voices, or even just one, can truly change the world.

Hot Stories

Leonardo DiCaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go”
Leo Dicaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go” …

Forced to feel ashamed for her weight and appearance, Kate Winslet struggled with her body image for years. The media loved to tease her for being “the fat girl,” but there was ONE PERSON who saw the real her. What did Leo see in Kate? And what important message does Kate have for young women everywhere?


Keep ReadingShow less
Videos
Woman at a restaurant's window and two teen employees.

Teens Applauded For the Way They Handled This Angry Customer

Instagram/ @kekessnowballs

Working in customer service can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with rude and demanding clients. That’s particularly true for some teens, who work these jobs for part-time money and are often bullied by adults. Perhaps that’s why people are applauding these teen girls for the way they expertly handled an over-the-top customer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Man standing with two daughters, a black purse and a handwritten note (inset)

Grieving Daughter Finds Note In Fossil Purse While Thrifting

Courtesy Anna Harp and Courtesy of Abrielle Clausing (via People.com)

Thrifting can net all sorts of treasures. Shoppers can snatch up everything from vintage clothes to mid-century modern furniture to kitschy knick-knacks, all without breaking the bank.

But for one grieving woman, she found a hidden gem that was truly priceless.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News