Tarana Burke: Education, Career, and the Genesis of the Me Too Movement
Introduction
Tarana Burke, born on September 12, 1973, is an American activist whose work at the intersection of racial justice, arts and culture, anti-violence, and gender equity has made her a prominent figure in contemporary social justice movements. Her journey, deeply rooted in community organizing and a commitment to marginalized people, led to the creation of the "Me Too" movement, a phrase and concept that has evolved into a global phenomenon. This article explores Burke's educational background, her career path, and the evolution of the Me Too movement.
Early Life and Education: Foundations of Activism
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Burke's passion for community organizing ignited in the late 1980s. As a young girl, she joined the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement, an organization dedicated to youth development and grassroots activism. This early involvement exposed her to issues such as police brutality, housing inequality, and economic injustice, shaping her understanding of systemic challenges and fueling her desire for change.
Burke's commitment to deepening her academic education and organizing skills led her to Alabama State University, a historically Black institution. Her organizing and advocacy work continued throughout college, solidifying her commitment to social justice. After graduating from Alabama State University, Burke moved to Selma, Alabama, where she continued to work for 21st Century.
Career Path: From Youth Organizer to Movement Leader
Burke's professional career began in Selma, Alabama, where she worked with various organizations, including the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement, the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute, and the Black Belt Arts and Cultural Center. She also served as a consultant for Selma (2014), the Oscar-nominated film about the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Her career took an intentional turn toward supporting survivors of sexual violence while living in Selma, Alabama and working for 21st Century. It was in Selma that Burke encountered numerous Black girls with stories of sexual violence, abuse, and exploitation, stories with which she personally identified as a survivor herself. This realization led her to recognize the critical need for resources, safe spaces, and support for these young women.
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In 2003 Burke cofounded Jendayi Aza, an African-centred program to assist African American girls in their journey to adulthood. It provides workshops and training dedicated to the health and well-being of young women of colour. During this time Burke first used the phrase “me too” while talking with a survivor of sexual assault. To further the Me Too movement, she created a safe place for survivors to gather and share their stories while promoting “empowerment through empathy.” The movement expanded to include leadership training for survivors to bring programs and healing to their communities.
Burke's work extended to various community-based organizations. She became the managing director of Art Sanctuary, an arts organization in Philadelphia. She also served as an executive director of the Black Belt Arts and Cultural Center, where she oversaw programs for underserved youth. In addition, Burke served as special projects director at the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma. Later Burke served as director of the Brooklyn, New York, organization Girls for Gender Equality. The organization assists African American girls in building personal development skills. Burke also taught empowerment workshops, and she edited (with Brené Brown) the essay collection You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience (2021). Her memoir, Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement, was published in 2021.
The Genesis of "Me Too": A Movement Born from Empathy
In 2006, Burke began using the phrase "Me Too" as part of a youth program for junior and high school students. Her goal was to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse and assault in society. The phrase developed into a broader movement, following the 2017 use of #MeToo as a hashtag following the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations.
Tarana J. Burke asserts that ‘me too.’ is more than just a moment in time. Tarana has created and led campaigns which have shone a spotlight on the harm perpetrated against communities of color. Tarana’s theory of “empowerment through empathy” is changing the way the world thinks and talks about sexual violence, consent and body autonomy. Tarana has used her platform to share her long standing belief that healing is not a destination, but a journey.
The moment that changed everything happened while Burke was working at a youth camp. A young girl came to her and shared her story of sexual abuse. Burke felt helpless because she didn’t know how to help. She promised herself that she would find ways to support other survivors.
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In 1997, Burke met a girl named Heaven in Alabama who told her about being sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend. She says she didn't know what to say, and never saw the girl again.
The Viral Moment and Global Impact
In 2017, the #MeToo hashtag went viral after actress Alyssa Milano encouraged women to tweet the words if they had experienced abuse and harassment in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases. This marked a turning point for the movement, bringing widespread attention to the issue of sexual violence and galvanizing survivors to share their stories.
The Me Too campaign gained widespread attention beginning in 2017. At that time it was revealed that film mogul Harvey Weinstein had for years sexually harassed and assaulted women in the industry. Victims of sexual harassment or assault around the world-and of all races and ethnicities-began sharing their experiences on social media, using the hashtag #MeToo. The movement grew over the following months to bring condemnation to dozens of powerful men in politics, business, entertainment, and the news media. Although Burke was encouraged that the topic of sexual abuse was receiving widespread attention, she felt that the emphasis of the Me Too movement should be on the survivors and their path to healing.
In October 2017, actress Alyssa Milano encouraged women to say "Me Too" if they've experienced sexual harassment or assault, and the hashtag became popular.
Burke's Vision and Ongoing Work
Despite the increased visibility and attention, Burke has remained focused on the core mission of the Me Too movement: supporting survivors and promoting healing. She emphasizes the importance of survivor-centered, survivor-led solutions and advocates for a shift in how society thinks and talks about sexual violence, consent, and bodily autonomy.
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Today, Burke leads me too., a global nonprofit that supports sexual violence survivors with several programs. In 2018, Tarana founded ‘me too.’ International, a global non-profit organization that serves as a container for the vision and framework for the ‘me too.’ Movement. Burke organizes workshops to help improve policies at schools, workplaces, and places of worship, and focuses on helping victims not blame themselves for sexual violence.
Burke believes that survivors of sexual assault, especially Black women, need to have their voices heard. She knows that these women often face extra challenges around being believed. She also knows that these women face discrimination in reporting to law enforcement and receiving medical care. Her vision for #MeToo goes beyond just sharing stories. She wants to change how society talks about sexual violence.
Recognition and Legacy
Tarana Burke's tireless work has earned her numerous accolades and recognition. Time magazine named Burke, among a group of other prominent activists dubbed “the silence breakers”, as the Time Person of the Year for 2017. Time magazine named as her one of the “100 Most Influential People ” in 2018.
Burke is a featured speaker at numerous public events across the country. She travels around the world speaking about healing and empowerment.
Tarana Burke’s legacy is one of courage and compassion. Her willingness to speak out against sexual violence has inspired millions of people. The #MeToo movement continues to grow and create change worldwide.
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