Unbound Summary

“How can we create a world where survivors of sexual abuse no longer carry the burden of shame, but instead find strength, healing, and community?”

The Moment ##MeToo Became a Global Movement

Tarana Burke awoke one morning in 2017 to find the hashtag ##MeToo dominating Twitter. Women across the globe were sharing stories of sexual abuse, using the phrase to express solidarity. Amazingly, this surge happened without Burke’s direct involvement. The phrase “Me Too” had been part of her work for years, aimed at creating empathy and healing for survivors.

The hashtag emerged in response to high-profile accusations against Harvey Weinstein, which revealed decades of predatory behavior in Hollywood. As movie stars began recounting their experiences, thousands of other women joined in. For Burke, this viral moment presented mixed feelings. While she admired the unity, she saw that marginalized voices, particularly those of Black and Latina women, were being excluded.

Still, reading one tweet opened her heart: a woman admitted she had kept her assault secret until that day, believing for the first time she wasn’t alone. Burke realized the enormous power this movement could have as a collective cry for awareness and support.

Examples

• Burke's original intention for "Me Too" was rooted in survivors finding community.
• ##MeToo became a major platform for holding abusers accountable, starting with the Weinstein case.
• Early accounts lacked intersectionality, with few stories from women of color being highlighted.

The Lasting Pain of Sexual Assault at a Young Age

At just seven years old, Tarana Burke was raped—a harrowing event that shaped her perception of herself for years. When asked what was wrong, Burke said, “A boy messed with me,” but fear of her stepfather’s reaction and a deep sense of guilt silenced her further.

The assault planted a belief within her that she was “dirty” and unworthy of love. She existed in torment, acting as the “good girl” her family adored but privately feeling broken. Without the language to describe what happened, Burke carried an immense weight into adulthood.

Her silence encapsulated what many survivors face: a toxic cycle of self-blame compounded by societal ignorance. For decades, she believed she was the one at fault for her tragedy, a belief only shattered later in life when healing processes began.

Examples

• Burke’s guilt stemmed from internalized rules about avoiding harm but failing to “follow” them.
• Her stepfather’s violent mannerisms planted fear, preventing her from seeking help.
• She didn’t encounter terms like “rape” or “abuse” until adulthood, reflecting a lack of societal understanding.

Finding Solace in Strict Catholicism and Confronting Shame

Burke sought escape from her inner turmoil in the structured world of Catholicism. She excelled at Sacred Heart Primary School, finding the rigid rules soothing. The act of confession became a way for her to “absolve” herself, though she never confessed the true nature of her pain.

However, her mother’s critical outburst one day deeply affected her. When accused of using a dirty dishrag inappropriately, her mother’s words—“Is that what you are? A dirty, nasty, used-up dishrag?”—seemed to confirm Burke’s worst fears about herself.

This chapter of her life highlights how Black families often suppress discussions of abuse out of shame. Not until her grandfather exposed her to Black history did Burke start questioning authority and the messages that fueled her guilt.

Examples

• Burke repeated prayers excessively as part of self-imposed penance.
• Her mother’s failure to recognize abuse perpetuated cycles of shame.
• Exposure to books on Black liberation challenged her blind faith in institutions like the church.

Discovering Empowerment Through Black History

Burke’s grandfather stepped in as she clung tightly to Catholic dogma. Taking her to Harlem’s Liberation Bookstore, he introduced her to texts critiquing religion and highlighting the role of slavery in African American history. This opened Burke’s eyes to systemic racism and the failures of institutions she once revered.

At her public high school, Burke encountered challenges fitting in, from mockery of her modest clothes to physical confrontations with bullies. But she pushed back, choosing assertiveness over submission.

Her introduction to activist thinkers and acts of defiance at school gave her a sense of agency. She began questioning authority in other areas, planting the seeds of the bold advocate she would later become.

Examples

• Burke transitioned from sacred texts to radical Black literature, including works exposing Catholicism’s role in the slave trade.
• She physically confronted a bully, signaling an end to victimhood.
• Leadership camps like 21C became formative spaces for Burke's political identity to grow.

The Impact of Maya Angelou’s Story

Burke credits Maya Angelou as a literary mentor who changed her life. Sneaking a copy of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as a child, she read Angelou’s bold recounting of her own abuse. Burke saw parallels between the author’s story and her own trauma, and for the first time, began to believe she wasn’t to blame.

Later in high school, watching Angelou recite “Phenomenal Woman” gave Burke new aspirations. Here was a survivor who didn’t deny her pain but transformed it into confidence and self-love. Burke realized that healing didn’t have to mean erasing the past; it meant acknowledging it without shame.

Angelou became not only a source of inspiration but a symbol of what Burke hoped to achieve for herself and others: pride and resilience.

Examples

• Reading Angelou’s memoir reframed Burke’s victim narrative.
• “Phenomenal Woman” showed that confidence could coexist with survival.
• Angelou’s works planted the idea that storytelling could serve as healing.

Becoming an Activist Leader in Alabama

Transferring to the University of Alabama, Burke found herself away from home yet immersed in a vibrant activist community. She pursued protest organizing, galvanized by events like Rodney King’s beating and Latasha Harlins’ killing.

Her most significant leadership moment came when she organized a successful campus-wide protest, demonstrating innate strengths in motivating others. This performance attracted the attention of mentors who offered her a position in Selma.

This role marked her turning point, leading youth programs, creating political events, and maintaining hope in disadvantaged communities. While rewarding, advocacy jobs drained her energy and eventually forced her to prioritize her own mental health.

Examples

• After Rodney King’s assailants walked free, Burke led a protest on her campus.
• In Selma, she worked for 21C, challenging systemic issues in impoverished areas.
• Mentorship from activists like Rose Sanders paved her way toward further leadership.

Falling Out With Chosen Family Over Abuse

The Black community's reluctance to address abuse within its ranks deeply hurt Burke. This became personal when her daughter, Kaia, was harassed by someone with close ties to her colleagues. Despite her outrage, Burke found that leaders brushed the incident aside.

The movement’s hypocrisy became glaring as abusers continued to have access to their communities. These betrayals illuminated how widespread silence and complicity perpetuated abuse cycles. This was the moment when Burke realized she had to chart her own path.

It was a difficult decision, but it laid the groundwork for the independent advocacy work Burke would do later with survivors.

Examples

• Leaders ignored Malik’s harassment of Kaia, reframing him as a victim of circumstance.
• Reports about Reverend James Bevel, a pedophile, went unanswered at 21C.
• Burke’s departure from Selma was marked by disillusionment.

Healing Herself to Lead Others Toward Healing

One of Burke’s defining moments came when a teenager, Heaven, confided her abuse during a workshop. Unprepared to confront her past, Burke pushed the girl away, an action she regretted for years.

This experience pushed Burke to finally examine and release her trauma. It was through therapy and reflection she grew into the empathetic leader survivors needed. She developed workshops that used sharing and collective support to begin the healing process.

Her profound realization: healing doesn’t come in isolation, but through the strength found in community.

Examples

• Heaven’s rejection haunted Burke, pushing her to address personal wounds.
• She designed workshops tailored for abuse survivors as part of “Just Be, Inc.”
• The Me Too framework grew from her belief in communal recovery.

The Movement Continues Beyond the Hashtag

Though ##MeToo became globally recognized following its social media explosion, Burke’s aim has always been deeper. She emphasizes grassroots programs that empower Black and brown survivors, ensuring no one is left behind.

Burke’s work remains focused on vulnerable populations. She believes systemic change requires addressing intersectionality, enabling justice for every survivor regardless of background.

While the journey of Me Too is still unfolding, Burke’s steadfast commitment ensures its focus remains on healing, empathy, and forward progress.

Examples

• Workshops in Selma provided a safe space where children felt heard.
• Burke champions criminal justice reforms to support survivor-centered trials.
• Me Too programming constantly evolves to adapt to survivors' needs.

Takeaways

1. Build conversations with children so they feel safe sharing experiences, even if their words are subtle or incomplete.
2. Recognize that healing often requires the courageous act of revisiting and addressing personal trauma.
3. Advocate for the inclusion of marginalized voices in movements; their stories ensure efforts stay representative and impactful.