# data[].attributes.headline
Rosa Parks: A Small Spark For A Blazing Inferno

# data[].attributes.subject
Rosa Parks: A Small Spark For A Blazing Inferno

# data[].attributes.body
The story of Rosa Parks is of how one person's actions can create an immense chain reaction that'll forever leave an impact on the history of humanity. I'm sure that you've either read or heard her story (or both), so I won't bore you with a recap of it. What Rosa Parks did that day created an opportunity for those who were willing to fight tooth and nail for the fair and equal treatment they deserved, and those efforts did eventually pay off. While segregation laws may no longer be practiced in the U.S., there are other places around the world run by those who do not have the peoples' good interests as a priority, keeping others down so they can maintain control. It is why taking action like Rosa Parks did is important to standing against those who want total control over everyone and everything. Everyone deserves an equal chance to live their life regardless of their appearance, sexual preference, cultural traditions, and their opinions on other people; it's what you choose to do with that opportunity that really matters.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Myles Burke Features correspondent

Getty Images

Rosa Parks (Credit: Getty Images)

On 1 December 1955 Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give her bus seat to a white passenger. In these exclusive BBC clips, discover how her courageous act of defiance set in motion a chain of events that ended segregation in the US, but at a personal cost to Parks herself.

On a winter's evening in 1955, a 42-year-old African-American woman named Rosa Parks, tired after a long day of work as a seamstress, boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama to get home. She paid her fare and took an empty seat in the area of the bus marked "coloured".

Fifty-five years earlier, Montgomery had passed a law to segregate bus passengers by race. The front of the bus was reserved for white citizens, the seats at the back for black citizens. But it had also become a custom that bus drivers would instruct a black passenger to give up their seat if there were no "white-only" seats.

More like this:
- The 1968 image that shook the world

- The 'alien invasion' that fooled the US

- How Mickey Mouse saved Disney from ruin

As the bus filled up, the bus driver James Blake demanded that she and three other black passengers give up their seats. Rosa Parks alone refused.

"I did this because I felt I was being violated as a human being. I had had a hard day at work on the job, [I was] physically tired as well as mentally vexed. I was sick of this type of thing we had to endure as a people because of our race," she later said in an interview with the BBC.

Rosa Parks to BBC: 'When I refused to move, he had me arrested'

The repercussions were swift. The bus was stopped, and Parks was promptly arrested by local police. On 5 December, she was found guilty of violating segregation laws, given a suspended sentence and fined $10, plus $4 in court costs.

The arrest was not an isolated event but a consequence of the Jim Crow laws, legislation designed to codify racism and marginalise black Americans. The laws governed almost every aspect of daily life, denying black Americans the right to vote and mandating the segregation of schools, toilets, public transport and restaurants.

This was not the first time someone had been arrested for refusing to give up a seat to a white passenger. Nine months previously, the same thing had happened to 15-year-old Claudette Colvin. But this time the act of quiet defiance proved to be a catalyst for change.

Punished for her bravery

Parks's outwardly calm appearance belied the fact that she was a seasoned activist who had been the secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP). Following her arrest, a boycott of the city's bus system was organised by the Montgomery Improvement Association, led by a 26-year-old-pastor named Martin Luther King Jr. The boycott lasted more than a year, crippling the public transportation system through lost revenue, and brought a national spotlight on the systemic racism inherent in the Jim Crow laws.

Meanwhile Parks's case made its way through the court system. It ultimately reached the US Supreme Court in December 1956, which ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional.

But Parks was punished for her bravery: she lost her job at the department store in the wake of the boycott, and she faced death threats throughout the court proceedings.

In History

In History is a series which uses the BBC's unique audio and video archive to explore historical events that still resonate today

The year after the Supreme Court ruling, she and her husband, who also lost his job, moved to Detroit to escape the continual harassment.

In the years that followed, they both struggled to find work due to a backlash caused by her close association with the boycott. She also was plagued with health issues and medical bills. Despite this, she remained deeply involved in the fight for civil rights, campaigning in Detroit for fair housing and voter registration. She volunteered for local Democratic candidate John Conyers in his bid for Congress, who when elected, hired her as his assistant in his Detroit office, a position she held until her retirement.

Exclusive interview with Rosa Parks: 'I was mistreated'

The impact of Rosa Parks's arrest went far beyond merely putting an end to racial segregation on public transportation. Her quiet strength in the face of racism galvanised the black community, laying the foundations for civil rights campaigns, including the historic March on Washington in 1963 and the eventual passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

"I think that if there was any one point, one event in the civil rights movement that started in the 1950s you can pinpoint to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Miss Parks... which was symbolised by this courtroom and her conviction in it," says Fred Gray, Rosa Parks's lawyer in the BBC interview.

Her refusal to give up her seat fuelled the momentum of a mass movement that would ultimately dismantle the racist policies of segregation. And she herself became a symbol of the struggle for justice and equality.

In 1999, the US Congress awarded her its highest honour, the Congressional Gold Medal, calling her "the mother of the civil rights movement".

In History is a series which uses the BBC's unique audio and video archive to explore historical events that still resonate today.

If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter - a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news delivered to your inbox every Friday.

Copyright 2023 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

Beta Terms By using the Beta Site, you agree that such use is at your own risk and you know that the Beta Site may include known or unknown bugs or errors, that we have no obligation to make this Beta Site available with or without charge for any period of time, nor to make it available at all, and that nothing in these Beta Terms or your use of the Beta Site creates any employment relationship between you and us. The Beta Site is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and we make no warranty to you of any kind, express or implied.

In case of conflict between these Beta Terms and the BBC Terms of Use these Beta Terms shall prevail.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rosa Parks: The 'no' that sparked the civil rights movement

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On 1 December 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested in Alabama for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. Discover how her act of defiance sparked the US civil rights movement.

# data[].attributes.headline
Women's Suffrage Movement: Over A Century Of Battles Against Oppression

# data[].attributes.subject
Women's Suffrage Movement: Over A Century Of Battles Against Oppression

# data[].attributes.body
A long tale still being told today, the Women's Suffrage Movement holds many memories of women fighting for equal rights. While being recognized in the mid 1800's as the "official" start of this movement, it also has connections to the Haudenosaunee women (who as a collective group (not just women) date back to 500-600 CE). This goes to show how long women have been fighting to play on an even playing field with their male counterparts despite efforts from men with political power attempting to slow their progress. Indivuduals like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony have demonstrated their ability to work and fight with the same resolve men do, and while they may be icons of the past now, their spirit lives on in the women of today such as Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama. The battle may still rage on, with many others here in the U.S. continuing to be oppressed by the government, but in an ever-changing era of human history, I believe that this will mark a turning point in this ridiculous war. "It is precisely because of this growing power that the rights of women of color are increasingly under attack today, just as they’ve have always been, by those in power who are seeking to preserve a status quo and maintain their privilege at the expense of justice for all."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's been 100 years since the landmark ratification and adoption of the 19th Amendment, which cemented a promise into the U.S. Constitution that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The 19th Amendment was a decisive victory for voting rights and progress. However, the women's suffrage movement that pushed for its passage also harbored divisions over the question of suffrage for Black people that undermined the amendment's impact and its legacy. Persistent and prevalent racism throughout the era when the amendment was being debated infected the suffrage movement, resulting in an amendment that largely secured the vote for middle-class white women but offered women of color, especially Black women, little more than an empty promise. Despite the passage of the amendment, many women of color were still barred from the polls through rampant intimidation and voter suppression tactics; denial of citizenship based on ancestry or immigrant status; as well as blatant racial discrimination. Many of the white suffragists fighting for the 19th Amendment gave scant attention to the lived reality of Black women at the intersection of gender and race, often insisting that the fight for racial justice was unrelated to the fight for gender equality. This indifference served as the ultimate betrayal of Black women suffragists, and other women of color fighting to be able to participate fully in our democracy, in exchange for political expediency.

As we celebrate this important milestone, we must sit with the amendment's complicated legacy and reality, both of which are instructive for the future. The expansion of voting rights to women has been essential to the fight for equality, whether in the workplace, in the classroom, in cultural norms, or in the voting booth. Yet, the fight was compromised from its inception by a narrow vision of who should benefit and who could be left out. The white suffragists who gained the vote were willing to do so even though many women of color-who faced additional racism-fueled barriers such as the proliferation of Jim Crow laws-effectively could not enjoy the same opportunity. This dichotomy of professing a commitment to equality while embracing the privileges of exclusion, however, was not unique to the debate about women's suffrage. It reflects a larger reality that, while women have made important gains, these gains have not always been evenly experienced. The consequences of eroding access to the vote has been extensive: Even the unprecedented selection of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA)-the first woman of color as a vice presidential candidate on a major-party presidential ticket-cannot obscure the reality that women, especially women of color, are still underrepresented in the halls of Congress; shut out of most of the top jobs in companies; denied bodily autonomy; paid less than their male counterparts; and, ultimately, left behind in an economy that undervalues their lives.

The history of suffrage: An incomplete narrative

The long history of the fight for women's suffrage is stained with racism that many writers of history have attempted to whitewash. Famous white women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony have received the lion's share of credit for leading the suffrage movement. However, these women fought alongside women of color-such as Ida B. Wells, Mabel Ping Hua-Lee, Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, Jovita Idár, Susette La Flesche Tibbles, and so many more-whose stories and contributions have not been elevated to the same extent in the prevailing historical narrative. While the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 is often touted as the official start of the suffrage movement, this selectively simplifies its origins. For example, the suffrage movement drew inspiration from the Haudenosaunee women, who, for centuries, held political and other societal rights in their sovereign nations and had roots in the movement to abolish slavery. Famous abolitionists Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass were also dedicated suffragists, who recognized the intertwined importance of Black suffrage and women's suffrage as central to fulfilling the nation's commitment to equality and equal justice under law.

The movement splintered into factions as the 15th Amendment-which promised suffrage to any citizen regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude-neared the finish line with mounting political support in the late 1860s. Leading white suffragists such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony took one side, espousing racist rhetoric and forming alliances with racists to advocate for white women's suffrage as more pressing or even necessary than an amendment that would result in suffrage for Black men. This embrace of racist ideology betrayed the trust and desires of Black women, who had long been fighting for suffrage not just for themselves but also for their families and communities. On the other side, they-particularly Black suffragists-understood that it was a false choice. Without the 15th Amendment, Black women could not hope to be enfranchised along with their white peers whenever that day did come, and the other immediate policy goals of the suffragettes-for example, the right to own property or access educational opportunities-would never be realized for Black women. Even after the 15th Amendment was ratified, leading white suffragists continued attempts to treat women of color suffragists as pawns for political expediency, epitomized when organizers of the Women's Suffrage Parade in 1913 asked Black suffragists to march in the back instead of with their state delegations to appease racist suffragists and their allies.

On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was adopted, 42 years after its first introduction into Congress, as part of the U.S. Constitution. The 19th Amendment extended the vote to, in theory, between 26 million and 30 million women, making it the single largest expansion of voting rights in United States history, yet its reach must not be overstated. First, several states had already granted women full or partial voting rights by 1920, so the amendment affirmed the right in those states and vitally extended the right to others. Second-and most importantly-despite the contributions of women of color to the suffrage movement, suffrage was not a reality for women of color upon its passage in 1920. Chinese Americans were not able to vote until the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 (for most other Americans with Asian ancestry, this came in 1952) and Native Americans were not able to vote in all states until 1948. Black people, particularly those living in the Jim Crow South, were blocked from voting through the use of poll taxes, literacy tests, white-only primaries, and other barriers and acts of violence and intimidation designed to silence them.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) brought the promises of the 15th and 19th Amendments closer to a reality for all Black people as well as other people of color whose votes had been suppressed through the same discriminatory tactics outlawed by this pivotal civil rights legislation. For many, it wasn't until the VRA was extended in 1975 to, among other things, require voting materials be translated into languages other than English, that many Latinx and immigrant voters could comfortably exercise their right to vote. The takeaway is simple: Simply granting the right to vote was not enough to ensure that all women were truly enfranchised. It has taken a century of additional measures to close loopholes and combat discrimination-and the fight is far from over.

Despite some progress, the fight for suffrage rages on

Many Americans still do not enjoy full voting rights. Despite the VRA, voter suppression efforts persist and disproportionately target voters of color, immigrant voters, LGBTQ voters, and disabled voters, and, as a result, many women living at the intersection of any of these identities. Such efforts include, but are not limited to, voter ID laws, inaccessible polling places, voter roll purges, voter intimidation efforts, limited access to early voting, and disinformation campaigns. The persistence of this discrimination is in large part due to the weakening of the VRA, particularly in light of recent events such as the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision Shelby County v. Holder- gutting key VRA voter protection provisions-and the lifting of a consent decree on the Republican National Committee in 2017, which voting rights advocates fear may result in more frequent instances of voter intimidation and suppression.

Moreover, people residing in Washington, D.C., or in a U.S. territory, still are limited in their ability to have full representation at the federal level. People living in D.C. are unable to have full congressional representation and, instead, are limited to a single delegate who serves in the U.S. House of Representatives. Although D.C. residents can vote for president and have three presidential electoral votes, people living in U.S. territories cannot vote in presidential elections and also have limited representation in Congress. Felony disenfranchisement laws around the U.S. prohibit people in prison, people serving felony probation or parole, and/or formerly incarcerated people who have completed their sentence from voting. These laws disproportionately disenfranchise Black and Latinx people. Partisan gerrymandering is also effectively disenfranchising millions of U.S. voters. Finally, the coronavirus crisis has created new obstacles to safe and equitable access to voting for many voters in addition to existing barriers.

Policy solutions that will make suffrage a reality for all

Lawmakers must enact robust policies to combat voter suppression to ensure that all eligible Americans can vote. This involves ensuring that discriminatory measures and actions that limit the ability to vote-such as voter ID laws, voter roll purges, discriminatory signature verification requirements, voter intimidation tactics, disinformation campaigns, and disenfranchising people on the basis of felony convictions and/or where they live-are repealed, halted, and prevented in the future. Partisan gerrymandering, which devalues votes, must also come to an end. In addition, it is essential that any and all voting reforms aim to make voting more convenient, safer, and more accessible for every eligible voter. Voter registration measures such as automatic registration; same-day registration; preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds; online registration; longer early voting periods; "no-excuse" absentee voting; as well as ample in-person voting options are essential to ensuring that all Americans can easily and safely vote. Bills such as the For the People Act (H.R. 1) and the Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4) are essential steps toward protecting and expanding voting rights and must be passed into law. Furthermore, Congress should grant Washington, D.C., statehood as well as establish a binding mechanism that would allow people living in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories to determine their own futures with regard to the right to vote in the presidential election. Finally, no one should have to choose between their paycheck and exercising their civic voice. All voters-especially working women with caregiving responsibilities-should have access to flexible and expanded paid time off for voting. All of these pro-voter reforms will not only benefit traditionally suppressed voters, such as voters of color and disabled voters, but they will also widely benefit women voters by helping to ensure their fair participation.

In response to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, lawmakers and leaders at all levels must act quickly to implement robust vote-by-mail systems and ensure access to safe in-person voting options for people who prefer or need them.

Conclusion

Women's progress is intertwined, still, with the suffrage movement. Access to the vote is a powerful tool to drive change and transform communities. Yet, despite their exclusion from the promise of the 19th Amendment, women of color have emerged as a growing electoral powerhouse. It is precisely because of this growing power that the rights of women of color are increasingly under attack today, just as they've have always been, by those in power who are seeking to preserve a status quo and maintain their privilege at the expense of justice for all. The legacy of the 19th Amendment makes clear the urgent importance of an inclusive vision of equality that encompasses the diversity of women's experiences, and this vision must be a priority in the years ahead.

The commemoration of women's suffrage must not be solely a celebration-it must be a call to action. While subsequent legislation has since enfranchised more women of color-and, today, women of color collectively have come to represent a potential powerhouse electorate-systemic discrimination still bars some women of color from the polls. The promise of suffrage-and with it, the promise of American democracy and the promise of true equality-has yet to be fully realized.
Robin Bleiweis is a research associate with the Women's Initiative at the Center for American Progress. Shilpa Phadke is the vice president of the Women's Initiative at the Center. Jocelyn Frye is a senior fellow with the Women's Initiative at the Center.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
100 Years After the 19th Amendment, the Fight for Women's Suffrage Continues

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's been 100 years since the landmark ratification and adoption of the 19th Amendment, which cemented a promise into the U.S. Constitution that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

# data[].attributes.headline
#MeToo Movement: An Online Rise Against Sexual Perpetrators

# data[].attributes.subject
#MeToo Movement: An Online Rise Against Sexual Perpetrators

# data[].attributes.body
While the war for equal rights for women has been going on for more than a century, the battlegrounds for these attacks against injustice have gradually shifted over the years, going from in-person protests (though that still does happen today, not trying to say it doesn't) to online media websites that span the entire globe. With this change, mass movements can start from someone's home, simply from a single person putting out practically any form of media-consumable content (like TikTok for all you zoomers out there :P). An example of this is the #MeToo Movement, where a large plethora of sexual assault survivors took to various media platforms such as Twitter (of X if you want to call it that) and Facebook to call out their perpetrators and have them face the consequences of their actions. It started from a single person, that being Tarana Burke, who originally coined the phrase "me too" back in 2006, though its peak in usage didn't occur until the 12th of October in 2017, where actress Alyssa Milano used the same phrase in a tweet calling out former film producer Harvey Weinstein and encouraging others to speak up like she had. Within a year of this singular action, the phrase had gone viral in over dozens of nations around the world, which only goes to show the influential power the Internet can give to those who need it most. Today, it's become a part of the century-long battle for women's suffrage, showcasing its ability to adapt to large-scale changes such as the widespread use of technology and the creation of social media platforms. The war may not be won yet, but each victory in every small battle is a step closer to achieving this monumentous goal.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Weaponized words are used to fix femininity into a narrative of fragility. In normative explanations of gender and expression, feminine expression is characterized as emotional, needy, and codependent. These are attributes that affirm fragility. In contrast, strength, toughness, dependability, and leadership are viewed as masculine. Because of this dichotomy, feminine fragility is reaffirmed every time a man is affirmed of his masculine superiority. Publicly endorsed standards of femininity are particularly prevalent within discussions of sexual harassment: a broad term used to refer to unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other sexualized verbal or physical conduct. Further, the social construction of feminine fragility is used to reinforce an image of sexual fragility, contributing to women's objectification. Objectification contributes to broader patterns of discrimination, power, and male privilege, while also sustaining gender inequalities that increase the risk of sexual violence among women.

Social forces-relationships, beliefs, and values-tether femininity to harmful stereotypes and contribute to unequal power relations between women and men. In a patriarchal society, the ideal woman is associated with powerlessness. Thus, when a woman earns a position of power, she breaks out of character and steps away from the narrative. Sexual harassment is then used to obstruct the woman's power, further entrenching her into control and domination. When women endure sexually traumatic experiences, society repackages patriarchy yet again, labeling the survivors as damaged goods. In tandem with other diverse elements, these particular rhetorics have deterred women from publicly opening up and expressing discomfort in these social constructs. To address these circumstances, the #MeToo movement was conceived. The underlying message was to counter prominent social expectations and change the narrative of acceptable female expression. Globally, women released personal statements on sexual harassment and violence at protests, on social media, and throughout the news. They sought to increase awareness, change societal perspectives, hold perpetrators accountable, and eventually prevent sexual violence writ large.

The Origins of the #MeToo Movement

To stand up against perpetrators of sexual violence, activist Tarana Burke, a survivor of sexual assault, coined the term "me too" in 2006. Burke initially focused on women of color, using the term to emphasize empowerment through empathy. On October 5, 2017, actress Alyssa Milano exposed film producer Harvey Weinstein in a New York Times article. A week later, Milano tweeted the phrase " Me too," encouraging survivors to speak up. With the Weinstein sexual abuse scandal continuing to unfold, the phrase attached quickly to posts that flooded social media platforms. American Olympian McKayla Maroney joined in, tweeting to expose Team USA's gymnastics doctor Lawrence G. Nassar: a convicted rapist and sexual assaulter. One after another, hundreds more allegations surfaced, challenging power dynamics with demands for legal action against perpetrators.

Story Sharing from the Perspective of Women Identifying Survivors

Many women-including survivors-expressed feelings of empowerment from participating in the movement. One of them is Haley Jakobson, an author who writes on queerness, trauma, and mental health. OnCBS Mornings, Jakobson vocalized her past, sharing that she was taken advantage of and raped. She went on to mention that sharing her experience felt empowering as a rape survivor, emphasizing that it was her "truth and no one can take that away" from her. Another woman shared on Twitter, "#MeToo And I was blamed for it. I was told not to talk about it. I was told that it wasn't that bad. I was told to get over it". To support her vocalization, another woman responded "You get better & stronger so you can fight more courageously! #meToo". Messages such as these provide a context for the effect #MeToo had, as well as its goals: reclaiming power and redefining femininity.

Others also described the emotional toll of opening up. With trolls mocking their messages and skeptics discrediting their experiences, they felt that invalidation was far too prevalent. Visible to the public in comment sections and posts, these harmful contributions hindered the momentum of the movement. In addition, women of color expressed how the movement contributed to feelings of exclusion and devaluation. The overrepresentation of white women in #MeToo posts-a stark contrast to the underrepresentation of women of color-further illustrated the disproportionality. This exposed how Burke's initial intent to center on women of color lacked priority as the movement progressed. In response, the movement has redirected initiatives towards the inclusivity of marginalized survivors: youth, queer, trans, disabled, and people of color.

The Impact of the #MeToo Movement: An International Angle

While survivors worldwide attempted to reconstruct femininity through storytelling, the magnitude of change remains undefined. Intrinsically, the movement's aftermath is not homogeneous. In 2018, even Washington state Senator Karen Keiser -an advocate for the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace-expressed her uncertainty about the movement leading to actual change. In addition, the impact of the global movement remained centralized in the United States as other countries experienced less rapid progress.

In Italy, responses to survivors were particularly alarming. In 2017, one judge ruled against the survivor, declaring the survivor as " too masculine" to be a victim of sexual violence. The trend of delivering such insensitive, invalidating responses continued into 2023 when another judge justified the groping of a teenage girl on the basis that the sexual harassment lasted " less than 10 seconds." Another instance of devaluing women and their traumatic experiences appeared once again when two sexual violence cases publically surfaced. The Guardian spotlighted the legal consequences of normalized downplaying and victim-blaming towards female survivors, revealing deep-rooted sexism and subjugation of women.

Throughout China, the spread of the movement, especially with public accusations against screenwriter Shi Hang and talk-show host Zhu Jun, led to extensive efforts to redefine the term "sexual harassment." CNN also reports on how these efforts were initially challenged by verbal attacks and censorship; however, a few legal revisions were attained as a crackdown on the entertainment industry proceeded. Following increasing demands for accountability, local authorities also attempted to implement anti-harassment regulations, including a more robust initiative (effective since January 1, 2023) to prevent sexual harassment of women in the workforce. However, regulatory enforcement continues to fall short due to a lack of delineation, guidelines, and compliance. The issue may stem from the Chinese government neglecting to hold sexual harassment as a legal offense prior to 2021 while simultaneously pushing forward de-genderization efforts that reduced focus on the protection of women who are those most affected.

Across South Asia, the social taboo surrounding discussions of sexual experiences, harassment, and other forms of violence is a constant barrier to the storytelling process. Legal punishment and social ostracization of perpetrators are proven methods to prevent further acts of violence; however, enforcement mechanisms are nearly effective or timely. Although Article Fifteen of the Indian Constitution legally prevents discrimination and other treats to equality, sexual harassment in the work place remains on the rise. Based on annual reports from companies in India, a twenty-seven percent increase in complaints was found from 2021 to 2022. Moreover, a large majority of garment workers in Bangladesh have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. Similar issues are prevalent in Nepal and Pakistan. While the movement does spotlight this status quo and create a space for activism, a concrete solution remains unknown.

Contrastingly, the impact of #MeToo in the United States was prominent. Several studies support lasting shifts in societal response. Legal ramifications after the Weinstein scandal disclose that a significant portion of society has collectively influenced political action. For instance, state legislatures were under growing pressure to curb sexual assault and harassment. Many states directed efforts towards ending the backlog of rape kits, such as providing financial support for testing and approving new procedures for timely testing. In addition, funds were raised for the legal fight against harassment, including the US$ 22 million Time's Up Legal Defense Fund. The fund helped over 3,600 low-income women gain access to attorney consultations and pay legal fees. Resource hotlines also indicated surges aligning with the time of publication of major #MeToo movement posts. Overall, through the enactment of newly introduced legislation and initiatives regarding sexual violence prevention, tangible changes were made.

The Future of Femininity in the Context of Sexual Harassment

According to the Work Bank, there are 50 countries that have not implemented legislation centered around the sexual harassment of women. Evidently, this reveals a need for an all-encompassing global legislation that targets the prevention of sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women. Improvement must continue, and acknowledging those opportunities does not distract from the progress made. Rather, this should d​​irect collective efforts toward disrupting existing systems that maintain unequal social relations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The #MeToo Movement : Investigating the Lasting International Impacts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For those who could connect and find support, story-sharing throughout the #MeToo movement gave access to healing, empowerment, and solidarity...However, the movement is far from over.

# data[].attributes.headline
"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

# data[].attributes.subject
"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

# data[].attributes.body
This amazing poem by Maya Angelou uses the contrasting imagery of a free and caged bird to demonstrate freedom in the face of oppression. A free bird, unrestrained and free-spirited, represents those who live with privilege and access to many opportunities; in contrast, the caged bird represents individuals marginalized and oppressed by systemic barriers created to give the "free birds" the advantage. As a society, most of us have lived our lives in these cages, sometimes without realizing it. But a cage is not a home, nor was it ever designed to be a home. We are all free birds bound only by the rules of our own creation made specifically so no one bird flys higher than the others. In doing this, though, many individuals have been unfairly shackled down by unjust laws created by inherently corrupt people to keep a status quo of their liking, but that is not how we are meant to live. We are not creatures meant for a cage, but for the big open sky filled the infinite opportunites life gives us. We are not birds, but we can soar just as high as they can when given the chance.

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.alternative_text
"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

# data[].attributes.body
This masterpiece by Thomas King is a uniquely satirical poem that critiques the use of the phrase "All Lives Matter" as a dismissal of the specific struggles faced by marginalized groups, particularly within the Black Lives Matter movement; the poem uses juxtaposition alongside examples of systemic inequality, highlighting the disparity between the ideal of universal value and the reality of exclusion and injustice. With a sense of sharp irony, King emphasizes how "all lives" are not treated equally despite the efforts of many of the aforementioned marginalized groups trying to remedy this. From an outside view, it wouldn't make sense to not support a phrase like "All Lives Matter" (since, well, they do), but given the context behind the usage of the phrase, it makes it a lot harder to use the phrase in a positive way. We all are human, and thus, what we do with our lives does matter, to us and to those we consider important (such as friends and family members). It doesn't matter what race, gender, or sexuality you are, your life does matter, and it always will matter to someone, even if you have a hard time believing it yourself.

All Lives Do Matter.

# data[].attributes.body
The words of one can inspire thousands of others, but that can work both ways. How do you fight against oppression? What do you think others could do to better stand against oppression?