People Are Responding to #MeToo With #HowIWillChange

Since the hashtag #MeToo, originally begun by Tarana Burke back in 2007, was revived on social media last week as a battle cry for awareness regarding sexual harassment and assault in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein allegations, it’s done much to give scope to the magnitude of the issues at hand: CBSreports that more than 12 million posts, comments, and reactions to the hashtag have emerged in recent days.

And yet, the movement hasn’t been entirely without its critics, who note that participation largely places the brunt of the actions necessary for social change on the victimized women being called to come forth and share their stories, rather than on the very men who perpetrated them. Calls for new hashtags, such as #IDidThat, #HimThough, and #HimToo began to arise.

Now, there’s hope for yet another campaign, as #HowIWillChange has emerged as a way for allies to respond in a positive, forward-moving manner. With a focus on commitment to address the issues we can no longer accept, this new social movement directly challenges men to declare how they’ll help remedy the problem.

The hashtag was born earlier this week when writer Benjamin Law was moved to speak out after seeing all the “#MeToo” tweets with stories of sexual assault and harassment. He took to Twitter to call out his peers, writing, “Guys, it’s our turn. After yesterday’s endless #MeToo stories of women being abused, assaulted and harassed, today we say #HowIWillChange.”

Guys, it's our turn.

After yesterday's endless #MeToo stories of women being abused, assaulted and harassed, today we say #HowIWillChange.

— Benjamin Law 🌈 (@mrbenjaminlaw) October 16, 2017

#HowIWillChange: Pull up men I know on sexism & report them for rape. I have less to lose than women doing the same. https://t.co/KAuACyuNzu

— Benjamin Law 🌈 (@mrbenjaminlaw) October 16, 2017

Taking the lead, Law tweeted the ways in which he intends to make change, including regularly donating to women’s shelters, calling out sexism in men he knows and reporting them for rape (“I have less to lose than women doing the same”), and recognizing that he doesn’t have to be the perpetrator to be the bad guy (“Questioning harassment, not doing anything about it — all as bad”). Furthermore, he promised to do it all “without expecting to be congratulated or praised since women do the heavy lifting every other f*cking day.”

Men, how will you help us change the cultural epidemic of sexual harassment and assault? #HowIWillChange https://t.co/w0Og0k8Yr2

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 18, 2017

Luckily, his call didn’t go unanswered: Check out some of the other responses to the tag below.

#HowIWillChange I'm going to call out harassment, every time. I'll call out toxic masculinity, every time. No more going along to get along.

— Ben Jackson (@DadoftheDecade) October 18, 2017

#HowIWillChange: I will confront anyone who make sexist statement about women even as silly jokes.

— Fabian Haquin (@inj4ll) October 18, 2017

#HowIWillChange: I will listen to women more closely, seeking to understand before seeking to be understood. Then, if it helps, I will act. https://t.co/LF4cjbJHwe

— Andrew Webster (@web_stirs) October 16, 2017

I will never blame a victim, and I will never stand and watch as a man makes unwanted advances on a woman #HowIWillChange

— Michael (@TrippyTrappy_Jr) October 17, 2017

#HowIWillChange means sacrificing some of my own social capital so that male-centric spaces in which I am safe are also safe for women

— biryani brah (@garliquorice) October 16, 2017

I will teach my son to respect all women. I’ll never walk away when i see a woman is being harassed, but try and stop it. #HowIWillChange

— Don Marino 🐰 (@DonMarino77) October 18, 2017

I will work at being a better listener and ally, calling out victim-blaming, & being a dad who empowers his daughters. #HowIWillChange

— Tyler Gingrich (@tylergingrich) October 18, 2017

While #HowIWillChange may be just a tiny dent in the work that needs to be implemented by such promises, it’s certainly a sign that people are no longer willing to sit by silently as abuse and harassment continue. Let’s keep the momentum of change rolling.

What do you think about #HowIWillChange? Let us know @BritandCo.

(Photo via Jason Connolly/Getty)