I think it is selfish for me to try to frame Me Too as something that I own. It is bigger than me and bigger than Alyssa Milano. Neither one of us should be centered in this work. This is about survivors.
Tarana BurkeRead
I wish men would stop telling me how they are not 'bad guys,' how they're 'an exception to the norm.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques how some men deflect accountability by claiming to be 'exceptions' to negative stereotypes.
Tarana Burke's quote highlights the frustrating tendency of some men to insist they are not like other men who perpetuate harmful behaviors. Instead of acknowledging the broader societal issues surrounding masculinity and accountability, these individuals position themselves as 'exceptions' to avoid confronting their own complicity in larger patterns of behavior, which can undermine genuine discussions about change and responsibility in relationships and society.
Themes
AccountabilityMasculinityExemptionsSocial NormsRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about redefining masculinity, this quote can serve as a reminder to young men about the importance of accountability.
More from Tarana Burke
All quotes βGet up. Stand up. Speak up. Do something.
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'Me Too' became the way to succinctly and powerfully connect with other people and give people permission to start their journey to heal.
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We want to turn victims into survivors - and survivors into thrivers.
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I think that women of color use social media to make our voices heard with or without the amplification of white women. I also think that, many times, when white women want our support, they use an umbrella of 'women supporting women' and forget that they didn't lend the same kind of support.
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Men need to help reshape the conversation around consent.
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