It is now nearly one year after the #MeToo movement swept the nation.

In the time since the #MeToo movement came to fruition, there have been dozens of reports of sexual assault and harassment.

Looking back, it is easy to see that the movement did have an effect.

That said, that effect has been both positive and negative.

People who were brave enough to share their stories have been mercilessly ridiculed and distained for their courage, with people forming teams to try to disprove their claims.

The worst part of this situation is that the logistics of the #MeToo movement make it terribly simple for those with the courage to post the hashtag to come under fire.

The phrase “Me Too,” used outside of the movement itself, is not thought of as a rallying cry.

It is not the fierce shout of brave souls prepared to fight for their rights.

“Me Too,” is the cry of an indignant child pleading for attention.

This is exactly why people find it so easy to ridicule those who use it.

Please note, I am not in any way saying this is true of the brave people who used the hashtag to tell their stories.

I am simply saying that using #MeToo to tell one’s story is a good starting point, but nearly a year later people still have nowhere to go after.

There have been many isolated events in which abusers have been met with persecution because of the #MeToo movement, but they are just that: isolated.

Looking at the state of the nation nearly a year later, many of the same issues are still prevalent.

There is still a gender pay gap.

People are still attacked on social media for having the courage to talk about likely some of the most personal moments of their lives.

People are still discriminated against based on their gender.

To a certain extent, there will always be bias and discrimination in the world, however for the #MeToo movement to be truly effective these things should have been addressed on a much larger scale by now.

People should not have to live in fear of being attacked on social media for talking about such dark moments in their lives.

#MeToo was not the answer to the issues that plague the country regarding the dark shroud veiling sexual abuse and harassment.

A movement like #MeToo may have been a good place to start, but the movement should have grown with a support system in place for those with the courage to speak out about their experiences.

#MeToo has created some social change, but on a large scale it has given many of those who have used it the image of shame and ridicule, which is absolutely the last thing they need.

Mercury Bowen is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or at mjbowen@eiu.edu.