Tarana Burke Research Paper

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Tarana Burke
Hashtag MeToo. Does that sound familiar? The MeToo movement is one of the most influential movements of our time. According to cbsnews.com a movement that reached over 12 million posts on Facebook in just 24 hours. Most of you know the power of Me Too and some participants in it, such as Ashley Judd, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cara Delevingne, Lupita Nyong’o, Lindsay Lohan, and many more according to CNN. However, you probably do not know who began this powerful movement. Her name is Tarana Burke. Tarana Burke is a sexual assault survivor herself and began the Me Too Movement in 2006 when she was having trouble with comforting a young girl, who had confided in Burke about her sexual assault experience according to brown.edu. …show more content…

Her constant fight for women equality has not gone unnoticed, it has made such a big impact that she was nominated for a Shorty Award in Activism. According to shortyawards.com, this award is presented to people who they believe have lived up to Gandhi's words “be the change you want to see in the world”. People who have had the impact to begin a revolution. Tarana Burke has done and is still doing so many things in order to support young girls. She is also a Senior Director for an organization called Girls for Gender Equity. According to Girls for Gender Equity Mission Statement, they “commit to physical, psychological, social, and economic development of girls and women”. Their main goal is to encourage communities to break down the sexist barriers and give women the same opportunities and freedom men are given. This influences the mindset girls will grow up with and ultimately change the way young girls will view a patriarchal society and culture. Her work with these girls who see her as a role model, will cause for a new generation of role models …show more content…

Burke was on the Time’s list of the 100 most influential people. Gabrielle Union, the woman who put Tarana Burke on the list, described Burke as “a leader who truly believes in inclusivity”. According vibe.com Tarana Burke’s first experience with organizing activist movements was in 1989, where she worked against Donald Trump and his campaign that targeted a group of colored men who were accused of raping a white woman in Central Park, and were commonly known as the “Central Park Five”. Trump had paid thousands of dollars in order to create propaganda through adds on newspapers, that the five colored men were guilty. Burke’s fight against Trump illustrates her dedication to fighting for equality among everyone, not only women. Tarana Burke also later organized a rally to support young people of color in New York City. Tarana Burke is a perfect example of a feminist because not only does she fight for women’s equality but also men, especially those of color. Her advocacy for both men and women is what makes her a great role

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