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.
Tarana BurkeRead
'Me Too' became the way to succinctly and powerfully connect with other people and give people permission to start their journey to heal.
Tarana BurkeRead
We want to turn victims into survivors - and survivors into thrivers.
Tarana BurkeRead
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.
Tarana BurkeRead
Men need to help reshape the conversation around consent.
Tarana BurkeRead
Similar quotes
Unless you are addressing the issues people are concerned about and contributing positive direction, they'll never support you. The first thing the enemy tries to do is isolate revolutionaries from the masses of people, making us horrible and hideous monsters so that our people will hate us
Assata ShakurRead
When two human beings get together, they're co-present, there is built into it a certain responsibility we have for each other, and when people are co-present in family relationships and other relationships, that responsibility is there. You can't just turn off a person. On the Internet, you can.
Neil PostmanRead
As for becoming queen, it was never on the forefront of my mind when I married my husband. It was a long way off, that thought.
Princess DianaRead
If public figures came out of the closet, then the LGBT kids who saw them on TV would feel safe, before they even knew why they felt dangerous. Maybe if enough people came out of the closet, gay kids would never feel dangerous. Maybe we could have a world where we could all just live. We may not all agree, but why can't we just all live?
Margaret ChoRead
I pray with my whole soul that the divide-and-conquerers among us will not triumph over us. We need each other in this world so desperately.
Ruby DeeRead
Maggie, we're through with lies and liars in this house. Lock the door.
Tennessee WilliamsRead