'The consequences will be with us for decades': The politicization and polarization of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements in the United States. Issue 3 (1st November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Earle, Elizabeth R.
• Is Part Of: Interactions. Volume 10:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 257
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2019-11-01
• Subjects: Communication and culture -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1386/iscc.10.3.257_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-2681

Abstract

This study examines the recent developments in the #MeToo and Time's Up Movements in the United States and how these developments have been portrayed in the US media. Through examining examples of US media, this article shows the media's portrayal of the movement as politicized and polarized changed and developed after the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court. The article argues that after Kavanaugh's appointment, the media began to downplay the tensions of race and class in the #MeToo movement. Instead of focusing on tensions of race and class, the media shifted to focus on the polarization of #MeToo along political party lines.