Me Too

‘The work of Me Too is about healing. It’s about healing as individuals & healing as communities” – Tarana Burke.

I wonder if it heals totally. It may begin the process of healing but the total healing will take time. Will it complete in one’s lifetime? I wonder.

Overturning of Weinstein’s conviction by New York court is a setback to Me Too movement & it’s hard fought agency. Thus reads the editorial in ‘Indian Express’ along with Manjiri Indulkar’s article made me restless.

A life changes, a family loses .. not only pride, honor but a stigma that remains forever. The family & the individual will never be the same again. Also protesting or not, depends. Does it dent the whole gambit or fabric of the society??

I mean just how can the private space of an individual be invaded, without consent? A push, leering glance, slight touch or brushing in crowd is a way of expression of thoughts. That have been harbored for moments but a wrong deed is planned. There is no two way about it. It cannot just happen.

Manjiri sites Alok Nath, who is known for his fatherly roles. Though several women spoke of his behavior, the case closed due to lack of evidence. Why were so many women talking of or about that particular individual & no other? That should be evidence enough! Don’t we need to change our laws???

Modelling or movies bring so many individuals too close but the dignity, decency needs to be taken care of. Raj Kapoor would explain the scene to his heroine while sitting on his lap. Why couldn’t she protest or the others object to it??

The society would not forget the name of the lady but the man goes unpunished. Journalist Priya Ramani won her case but the former Union Minister MJ Akbar wasn’t punished.

For several months, Amber Heard & Johnny Depp dragged but finally what happened ? When such a case gets overturned, it becomes another reason for women to remain silent.

Alexander ill treating his girlfriend , she may consent to do small errands for him out of affection but taking for granted that she will do anything for you! Kim Hyun joong was lovable than Lee min ho in a drama, ‘Boys over Girls’ but his scandal made him lose his career. Recently, he came back & also had a wedding.

The dimpled, handsome Kim Seon ho is a heart throb. But his treatment to his girlfriend raised issues. His show, ‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ felt the heat. I had been watching the show. Which remains incomplete till date.

When Manjiri announced that she is one such survivor, I took a double take. Why? Does it matter, today? Was it her fate to be at the wrong place at a wrong time? Don’t we need to change our attitude ?

It’s said we need to educate our boys. ‘Respect the women’, ‘ Protect the women’ But can’t we create an environment where they are safe?

I must have been a ten year old, when I would go to our neighbor. She had a son about an year old. I would often play with him. His uncle would come over often, a young man of marriageable age , a college student. Once he opened the door. I sensed nobody else was around. Turning, I made to leave. When he said, ‘You like Sonal but I like you! ‘ & pressed his lips on my cheek. I was mortified.

I ran out. I definitely knew something wrong had happened. Maybe it was pure affection. But it was unwanted. It was wrongly expressed.

A woman has a sixth sense. One needs to hone it. Every minute requires us to be alert. Staying awake.