Dr. Paula R. Curtis

@astanley711 notes that one of the core issues in the #metoo movement at large is one of narrative. Fractured narratives, buried narratives. Largely but not solely by women. The issue of believing women followed. When do we find ourselves discounting those testimonies?

The experiences in thinking about these epistemological problems are part of seeing theory in everything and everywhere. We can produce theory in the claims of here and now and in more diverse places than we might expect.

@astanley711 notes it’s important that we question our own histories. Recognizing we can be wrong and revisiting our own ideas and work is critical.

Above all it’s important to recognize complexity and that our perspectives will continue to change in the future. These structural issues are also bound up in emotional ones. We can seek justice and also just try to do our best.

(Any errors or misrepresentations in rapid tweeting are my own!)

Senior student from George Washington U (please supply a name, sorry, was tweeting!) now speaking on #metoo in China.

#metoo in China gained traction in 2010 from a woman’s account of harassment by her advisor. Last year, another famous case further spread recognition of these issues. Similar to US, a very decentered movement based on social media.

But the sociopolitical factors in China make the approach different— control of media, weak enforcement of laws, very malicious victim blaming. So why still go online?

Different from US, one reason is weak law enforcement. They don’t feel their problems are dealt with. There’s also generally little, legally, that accounts for what sexual harassment is. Lacking a concept of consent in Chinese law.

The most important reason, though, may be that social media is a tool of community that’s psychological, emotional, and empowering.

#metoo as a woman’s issue also has organizational potential, which makes it a target to be oppressed by authorities.

Activists in this case, often survivors, have to overcome this sociopolitical opposition. They create hashtags— people get around bans on these tags by using images that are wordplay stand-ins to get around censors.

There’s also self-censorship going on, dissociating themselves from the concept of feminism. It has become politically dangerous.

So what are the limitations of Chinese #metoo? It’s not an all-powerful instrument that can enhance the power of these groups. In the West we trust in intersectionality, but in China because of the intense opposition, they abandon it for personal justice and general approach.

@mpitelka now speaking on men’s role in the #metoo movement. This movement should be embraced by every man— it’s a moral imperative. Men should also resist the urge to reply to this movement, especially to highlight their own roadblocks and suffering.

It’s true that many men (and others) have experienced discrimination and trauma. But one can’t forget that privilege factors into ones experiences, including support after the fact.

One doesn’t have to use that experience to seem brave or heroic, and can instead learn, heal, and become a true ally. How to do this? Publicly acknowledge that bias. Say no to male only panels, committees.

Try to understand women’s experiences and not expect virtue for “doing our homework.”

Most importantly, listen and learn.

Now speaking is Lalita du Perron, speaking to her experience in conference operation and instances of sexual harassment that emerged.

She recognizes that she’s speaking in gender binaries for her experiences in this, as that was what occurred. (nice to have recognition of the way these issues are framed typically, in spite of nb or other identities!)

In her case, in their planning they created not just a statement, but a box that had to be checked in agreement to their anti-harassment policies. Complaints in recent years were all reported after the fact.

There is infrastructure in place, but it’s never been reported at the actual time. People typically witnessed or heard after the fact, and rarely the woman herself. No cases have been put officially on record. An enormous atmosphere of fear is present.

She identifies the protections of tenure as one major issue to these problems. The institutional protections also prevent banning, etc.

Alternative measures were taken like scheduling panels at the same time so victim and harasser wouldn’t encounter one another.

(it’s simply wild to hear how one has to sceheme, instead of being able to be transparent, as a result of things like Title 9 and other restrictions)

The general sense seems to be hopeful, but hesitant in that hope.

Out of respect for the privacy of those commenting on the floor as we move into questions and shared experiences, I’m going to stop tweeting here! But I encourage people to keep having these conversations at AAS and their other academic conferences and settings.