AUBURN, Ala. (EETV)- Me Too Movement founder Tarana Burke was named Time's person of the year in 2017 and will soon accept the Sydney Peace Prize in Australia, but the civil rights activist says that is not why she started her work.
"What else am I supposed to do?" Burke asked. "I don't know what else to do."
On Oct. 15, 2017, Burke used a hashtag on Twitter that sparked a viral conversation around sexual violence. Since she first posted the Me Too hashtag, Burke has become a global leader, encouraging healing and action.
The Auburn University Montgomery and Alabama State University alumna encourages survivors of sexual violence to focus on the healing aspect of their journey. Burke, a survivor herself, says she realized the importance of community healing through her personal experiences, as well as her work with young people in Selma, Alabama.
During the Extraordinary Women Lecture and open dialogue in Auburn University's Telfair Peet Theatre, Burke discussed various aspects of the Me Too Movement and inspired attendees to take action against sexual violence.
She also emphasized the importance of recognizing survivors instead of those abusing their power. Burke read a list of names, which included Anthony Rapp, the actor who came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Kevin Spacey.
"We don't know those names because we don't want to," Burke said. "I've never been called to comment on one of these people I've named."
Burke addressed several issues people may associate with the movement, including the lack of a symbol and general misconceptions about sexual violence. She said some people struggle to connect to the Me Too Movement without a symbolic image to associate with it. However, she says the truth of survivors' stories should be enough for the movement to gain support.
She spoke about the stigma around male survivors, a group she says often feels left out of discussions about sexual violence.
"Me Too isn't a woman's movement. We are a survivor's movement," she said.
Burke empowered students in the audience to fight for their safety and protection on campus. She said the Me Too Movement is working on a program to help college students get involved.
"Even if we don't do [the program], you have to organize. I believe in the power of organizing," said the activist.
During the open dialogue with Auburn University's Dr. Joan Harrell, Burke said the best way to become an active member of the Me Too Movement is by simply thinking about your own life. She asked parents to consider how many strangers their children encounter every day and encouraged everyone to read the sexual harassment policies provided by their employers.
"Please add this to the list of things you care about," Burke said. "We need everybody."
