Anvita Datla week 8

What Happens to #MeToo When a Feminist is the Accused talks about the case where the tables turned, wherein a female professor harassed a male student of hers pointing out to the significance of considering how harassment takes place not only against women but men as well. The article is about the gross violation and sexual harassment faced by a student named Reitman by his professor Avita Ronell who is supposedly a ‘renowned professor’. Reitman’s claims were dismissed by feminists who put a cloak on the allegation by stating Ronell’s achievements and how she was incapable of doing such an act. 

The article talks about the aspect of dominance and power dynamics and how victims of sexual harassment in an academic sphere like in the present case don’t speak up against such harassment due to the power a professor has over a student.  It talks further about how Nimrod Reitman never got to speak about what he was going through due to the power Avita Ronell had over him and due to how she blackmailed him. 

The spirit of the me too movement is to speak up against perpetrators of sexual abuse irrespective of how powerful or highly placed those perpetrators are. The movement aims to call out rape culture and raise awareness about the disturbing prevalence of sexual assault within our society

The article highlights the underlining issue of gender bias faced by men with the example of Reitman in the present article. Though the #MeToo movement started as a means for women to have a voice against the sexual abuse faced by them in various spheres especially workplace however this does not mean that the claims of a man can be excluded or neglected. Men can be victims too. It is important to rise from the narrow mindsets and age old stereotypes that only women can face harassment and to keep an open mind. Men should be encouraged to speak up against harassment faced by them too. The movement is to empower the lesser privileged and the aspect of gender shouldn’t be allowed to take away the essence of what the movement stands for.