In October 2017, women across the globe came together under the hashtag MeToo. However, social activist and advocate Tarana Burke had already been campaigning for women of colour under the same banner for eleven long years. In this episode, we talk about her incredibly important work, the pervasiveness of predatory behaviour, and the way women are constantly told that they should somehow take responsibility for a culture of misogyny and sexual entitlement beyond their control. A content warning for listeners that we discuss issues of sexual violence and trauma, getting pretty angry and emotional in the process. This is not an episode best suited to your morning commute! At the same time, we also celebrate the influence of this inspiring woman, and the movement that has grown up in the wake of her work.

Here's some of the articles we discussed:

Brockes, Emma, “Me Too founder Tarana Burke: ‘You have to use your privilege to serve other people’” 15 January 2018 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/15/me-too-founder-tarana-burke-women-sexual-assault

Ford, Clementine, “Don't let Eurydice Dixon's death be a 'cautionary tale'” 15 June 2018 https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/don-t-let-eurydice-dixon-s-death-be-a-cautionary-tale-20180615-p4zllb.html

Gilmore, Jane, “Another vigil for another woman who should be here” 18 June 2018 https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/another-vigil-for-another-woman-who-should-be-here-20180617-p4zm1q.html 

Moran, Claire, “Not everyone can say #MeToo and we need to tackle the causes of sexual violence” 28 March 2018 https://theconversation.com/not-everyone-can-say-metoo-and-we-need-to-tackle-the-causes-of-sexual-violence-93075

Ohlheiser, Abby, “The woman behind ‘Me Too’ knew the power of the phrase when she created it — 10 years ago” 19 October 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2017/10/19/the-woman-behind-me-too-knew-the-power-of-the-phrase-when-she-created-it-10-years-ago/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5d2f4a129393 

Zacharek, Stephanie, Dockterman, Eliana and Sweetland Edwards, Haley “The Silence Breakers” 2017 http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2017-silence-breakers/ “Tarana Burke Biography”, March 2 2018, https://www.biography.com/people/tarana-burke,

“021 Tarana Burke” The Call with Erika Williams Simon 2 January 2018, https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-call-with-erica-williams-simon/id1213080056?mt=2

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