The #MeToo Movement

YA fiction 

"Society has been long been plagued by a serious problem, but people have rarely talked about it.  The problem is sexual harassment, in which someone verbally or physically harasses another in a sexual manner."

     It first happened to me in high school.  A gym teacher was the culprit.  He told me to keep it "our little secret".  It happens a lot more than most people would think and the harassment is usually coupled covertly or overtly with the pressure to keep silence.  

     Sexual harassment was pretty much a taboo topic until 2017 when #MeToo shone a much needed light on the dirty little secret.  Suddenly women were being believed.  Men who had used their power to bully and cover up were losing jobs and reputations.  Many women began to feel solidarity and power.

     Of course not everyone was a fan.  Men, when accused, have often said that nothing happened or that it was consensual.  Now some people are claiming that there's a modern day witch hunt in which even men's most innocent acts and words can be used to criminalize them.  Some men are afraid to work or socialize with female colleagues.

     If adults find some aspects of #MeToo confusing, imagine how teens might feel.  Peggy J. Parks' concise and well organized The #MeToo Movement gives them an overview from the history of the movement through its consequences, intended and otherwise, to the work being done in state legislatures to combat the evil that we can now name and discuss.

     I consider this book to be a good acquisition for middle, high school, and public libraries.

On a purrrsonal note, yikes! Can you believe we're 1/3 through fall semester?  My week was pretty predictable.  Homework of course.  School and work.  I started a volunteer project for Upward Bound and tossed out a student initiative idea which was greeted with great enthusiasm.  I spent far too much time commuting.  (Jules)

I had my usual week protecting the house from vermin and taking care of my family.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to you, dear readers, with best wishes for a fantastic weekend.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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