metoo_movement.mp3
metoo_movement.pdf
Sam
Hello This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English I’m Sam
Georgina
And I’m Georgina
Sam
In this programme we’ll take a look at the sensitive issue of sexual violence At
the start of the decade no one knew that the two-word phrase ‘MeToo’ would go
viral – or spread quickly and widely on the internet through social media
Georgina
But when explosive allegations against Hollywood movie producer Harry
Weinstein made headlines in 2017, the MeToo hashtag became the focus for a
global movement of women determined to expose the truth about abusive
sexual behaviour
Sam
Weinstein was found guilty and given a 23-year prison sentence But the deeper
reasons behind the problem, in America and worldwide, have not disappeared I
have a question now about the origin of the MeToo expression Although the
MeToo message went viral due to public support from famous Hollywood
actresses, the phrase itself was thought up years earlier by civil rights activist,
Tarana Burke What year did she first use it? Was it
a) 1996
b) 2006
c) 2016
Georgina
I’ll guess b) 2006
Sam
OK, Georgina We’ll come back to that later Now more about Tarana Burke
Georgina
Yes, Tarana worked with marginalised women in neglected American
communities, shocking numbers of whom were victims of sexual violence and
abuse
Sam
Here she is talking with the BBC World Service’s programme HARDtalk about
how the MeToo movement continues to speak up for voiceless women and girls
Tarana Burke
The beauty, I think, and the magic of MeToo is that it’s a unifier in that way, and
it’s where survivors find community and so …definitely the mainstream media
kept the focus on the actresses and Hollywood and that…but at its core the
women who came forward were really no different than those girls who I served
in the communities ten years before
Sam
Tarana doesn’t call the girls and women who were abused ‘victims’ Instead she
prefers the term survivors - people who are able to carry on with their life
successfully, despite very unpleasant experiences which still affect them
Georgina
The MeToo movement went viral when several famous movie actresses came
forward – offered to give information, about sexual harassment
Sam
While these Hollywood actresses were famous celebrities, most survivors of
sexual violence are ordinary women, living ordinary lives That’s why Tarana calls
the MeToo movement a unifier - something that unites and brings people
together, in this case women of different race and social background
Georgina
But while the media focused on particular people - Weinstein and several
actresses in the movie industry - Tarana is clear that the problem is bigger than
just individual cases
Sam
Here she is explaining about the wider reasons behind the MeToo movement
Tarana Burke
We can talk about Harvey Weinstein ad nauseam but we also have to talk about
what are the structures that were in place that allowed a Harvey Weinstein to
thrive If you’re going to talk about Harvey Weinstein’s being successful, then we
have to also talk about capitalism, right? Because it’s the love of money and the
desire for people to have money and what he represented The bottom line is
people value those things more than they value the humanity of the women that
he was destroying their lives It’s about power and it’s about privilege At the end
of the day, these are the two things we have to talk about dismantling
Sam
According to Tarana, the behaviour of abusers like Weinstein was not challenged
or questioned because of their privilege - power and advantage held by a small
group of people, usually because of their high social position or because they are
rich
Georgina
So rather than focusing on individual cases, it’s male-dominated social structures
like privilege that need dismantling – breaking up or being stopped from
working by gradually reducing its power over a period of time
Sam
Tarana knows the problem won’t disappear overnight
Georgina
But she believes the MeToo movement has opened up a space to talk about
sexual violence in a new way and set out a pathway forward
Sam
Let’s go back to the quiz question I asked you what year the two-word
expression ‘Me Too’ was used Was it a) 1996, b) 2006 or c) 2016, and you said…?
Georgina
Yes I said it was b) 2006
Sam
Well done, Georgina You are absolutely right Today, we’ve been talking about
the hashtag MeToo movement which went viral in 2017 – meaning it spread
quickly on the internet
Georgina
The name ‘MeToo’ was created by Tarana Burke, an activist who works with
sexual abuse survivors - people who experience abuse but are able to carry on
with their lives successfully
Sam
In 2017 many of these survivors came forward – offered to give information –
about sexual harassment in Hollywood
Georgina
And these actresses were supported by millions of women and men across the
world, making the MeToo movement an important cultural unifier – something
that unites and brings people together
Sam
Now the movement wants to shift the focus away from individual cases and onto
social structures of privilege - power and advantage held by a small group of
people, usually because of their wealth or high social class
Georgina
And according to Tarana, it is these social structures and attitudes which need to
be dismantled - stopped from working by gradually reducing their power over
time
Sam
And that’s all we have time for today
Georgina
Join us again soon here at 6 Minute English for more topical discussion and
vocabulary
Sam
Bye for now
Georgina
Bye
VOCABULARY
go viral
spread quickly and widely on the internet through social media
survivors
people who are able to carry on with their lives successfully, despite very
unpleasant experiences which still affect them
unifier
something that unites and brings others together
came forward
offered to give information or help
privilege
power and advantage held by a small group of people, usually because of their
high social position or because they are rich
dismantling
breaking up or stopping from working by gradually reducing its power over a
period of time
