Over the year, the #MeToo movement has spread like wildfire across the globe dragging top personalities to the court of law. To what that started to go viral by Hollywood’s Harvey Weinstein scandal with actress Alyssa Milano calling on women to share their abuse stories using the hashtag, now more than ever before, women are speaking up about their horrible experiences. The perpetrators are being called upon to account for their actions. But where did the words that inspired this movement come from? Not all of us might know, but #MeToo has been active for over a decade now. Thanks to the enthused and dedicated work of Tarana Burke, an activist and advocate for young women of colour. However, the founder reckons that the movement has lost its way. Post #MeToo Movement, Number of Workplace Sexual Harassment Claims Rise in US. 

The civil rights activist now 45, founded #MeToo to support survivors of sexual violence, particularly young women of colour from low-wealth communities. The fierce and outspoken woman has finally been seen at the Facing Race 2018 conference that brought more than 3,500 people to Detroit to discuss social justice. “The No. 1 thing I hear from folks is that the #MeToo movement has forgotten us,” she spoke about black, Hispanic and Native American women. As quoted by freep.com, she continued saying, “Every day, we hear some version of that. But this is what I’m here to tell you: The #MeToo movement is not defined by what the media has told you. We are the movement, and so I need you to not opt out of the #Metoo movement. ... I need you to reframe your work to include sexual violence That’s how we take back the narrative. Stop giving your power away to white folks.” Video Proof! Harvey Weinstein Touches Accuser Melissa Thompson Inappropriately in 2011 Business Meeting. 

“You know how many people say, ‘The #Metoo movement — well Hollywood’s got it.’ F--k Hollywood. Every time somebody asks me how I feel about them taking my movement, I say, ‘You can’t take s--t that’s mine. This is not about Tarana Burke owning something. This is about a community that I have lived in, worked in, given my blood sweat and tears to. This is our movement. Stop opting out of it,” she burst out loud at the conference room. Burke will not let her movement that she founded in 2006 be “co-opted by pretty girls and Hollywood.” The 45-year-old activist further said, “…With #Metoo being as big and loud as it is, we don’t need more awareness, This is about what happens after the hashtag, after the hoopla This is about the work.” India's #MeToo Movement Shines on Google Trends: Watch This Interactive Global Map With Live Searches. 

Burke like so many women is a survivor of sexual violence. Earlier, she was told Philadelphia newspaper, The Inquirer that she was raped when was only 6-year-old, molested for several years by a neighbourhood teenager and raped again as an adult. These horrible experiences inspired her to work for those whose voices are unheard. And she has dedicated her life for all women, especially women of colour. At the Facing Race 2018 conference, she cited statistics about women who are not famous but attacked because of their gender identity or economic powerlessness. After the powerful moment of her speech, Burke talked about life on the front lines. She hopes the #MeToo movement does not ignore and something, that she could not finish but moved her to tears before the crowd. Hundreds of people screamed; “We got your back!” in the ballroom.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 16, 2018 10:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).