Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Earlier this month, many tuned in to see the 75th annual Golden Globes ceremony hosted by comedian and actor Seth Meyers. What most expected to see was glamorous celebrities donned in expensive garments and designer statements, being followed by cameras and E! News reporters asking them “who are you wearing?” Instead, what viewers saw was Hollywood elite adorned just in black, many displaying a pin that simply said “Time’s Up.”

The Time’s Up movement began with a full-page ad published in an issue of “The New York Times,” released on Jan. 1. In the letter, over 300 actors, lawyers, writers, directors and producers signed to pledge support for working-class women who deal with inequality in the workplace. Following the several reports of sexual harassment, assault and rape allegations that came out against producer Harvey Weinstein, and the several other allegations towards different big names that began coming out daily since then, the timing seemed to be right. It was time to stand up against harassment and sexism that women have to deal with on a daily basis. It was time for women and allies to unify and stand up against the inequality and injustice they face in the workplace.

The initiative manages a legal defense fund aimed at supporting and helping the underprivileged women who are ready to fight against sexual harassment, assault or abuse while trying to pursue their careers. It gives everyone a voice.

According to timesupnow.com, “1 in 3 women ages 18 to 34 have been sexually harassed at work. 71% of those women say they did not report it.” It also notes that “more than one-third of the world’s countries do not have any laws prohibiting sexual harassment at work- leaving nearly 235 million working women vulnerable in the workplace.”

Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Emma Watson, Jessica Chastain, Emma Stone and Rashida Jones all choose to support and show solidarity towards the movement. They are using their platform to give all women a voice. But they aren’t the only big names involved. Male celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Tom Hanks and Chris Hemsworth all chose to don a “Time’s Up” pin to show their support for women everywhere.

Now the question is, if all of these people are supporting the movement, why aren’t you? While these are all big names and their stories are more widely spread, that doesn’t mean that their experiences are more valid than anyone else’s. Everyone’s experience with sexual harassment in the workplace or just in life is worthy of being heard about. Start talking.

If you haven’t been personally affected, I can almost guarantee that someone who is close to you has been. I can talk to any single one of my friends and hear their perspective of a time where they were sexually harassed or felt unequal. I’ve had friends sob to me as they shared an experience they’ve had with men who abused their power over them. Whether it be with sexual harassment, discrimination or rape, all of their voices deserve to be heard. While most aren’t in the workplace, they are just as valid.

I am urging you to stand with the people around you. Now is the time to unify. The plague of systematic inequality and injustice in the workplace has to come to an end. It’s our duty to stand with one another and let voices be heard. I’m not saying you have to post about things on social media. I’m saying we need to be willing to be an open ear to someone who has struggled with something like this. Be their ally.
That being said, if you do feel comfortable making your story public, feel free to do so. Time’s up on allowing these things to be unsaid. Time’s up on silencing women who have had to sit with their mouths shut for years, just accepting the way things are. It’s time to stop taking matters so lightly.

Small victories can be seen already. Former USA gymnastics coach Larry Nassar, accused of sexually abusing 81 people, was charged with 22 counts of sexual misconduct. James Franco was photoshopped out of the cover of Vanity Fair’s Oscar portfolio issue. Netflix cut ties with actors and comedians Kevin Spacey, Danny Masterson and Louis C.K. for sexual misconduct accusations against them.

Stand up against injustice. Stand up against discrimination in the workplace or in everyday life. If you hear or see it happening, speak up. Something so simple could change someone’s life forever. We cannot let this movement die out; until change is made, we need to continue working together and fighting as a unified front towards inequality. There is a lot of work to be done, but by standing together as a body of persistent fighters, I know we can get there.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: goldenglobes.com