#MeToo and Why it Matters

CSUSB social scientists discuss the complexities of the movement

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences hosted the panel discussion “The Rise of Women, #MeToo, and Why it Matters” in early December, with featured speakers Tiffany Jones, professor of history and chair of the CSUSB Department of History; Kathy Nadeau, professor of anthropology; and Meredith Conroy, associate professor of political science.  The panel presented not only their own research, but also cited the research of their colleagues to explain beyond the headlines and social media posts why the #MeToo movement matters, not just in the United States, but also from a global perspective.  Though it’s known by its social media hashtag, #MeToo, the movement that has focused attention on sexual harassment and sexual assault is much more complicated than the common, seemingly simple perception presented on Twitter or other forms of public discussion and debate, the panel said collectively.  “The more we simplify things, the more we silence people,” said Jones. “It’s always more complicated, and if we recognize that complexity, if we recognize that there are multiple issues, I think that helps us overcome some of those obstacles.”  To further the dialogue, Conroy discussed the movement in the context of the rise of women in American politics and Nadeau discussed the implication of gender-based discrimination and gender-based violence.