It came from lots of people's pain, and deserves everyone's respect, especially when we consider there are many people who have #MeToo stories, but haven't shared them publicly.
Whether or not we have a #MeToo story, there is something this hashtag can teach us about the conversations we have, especially our humor.
When was the last time you cringed at someone's wisecrack or opinionated statement, because you knew there was someone else within earshot who had to be hurt by it?
When was the last time you were the offending wisecracker?
So, what then? We just can't joke about anything anymore? When did everyone get so sensitive?
Oh, it's doubtful everyone just now became sensitive.
More likely lots of folks have been hurt by many conversations, comments, and jokes, as far back as there have been people.
More likely there are plenty of #MeToo's out there for almost any hurt we could imagine.
So often, we have no idea what someone has been through. We don't have the luxury of seeing people's hurts dragged around like luggage, like in that episode of How I Met Your Mother.
Rather than relishing the right to say whatever pops into our heads, at unknown expense, shouldn't we rather relish the discipline of guarding our tongues, and checking our words, against the potential for unknown offense?
No, this isn't about times when iron sharpens iron, when a true friend speaks hard truth in private with love, hits a sensitive nerve for our own good, but inspires Godly repentance within a safe relationship.
No, not that.
This is the needless reference, the off-hand joke, the ignorant one-liner, the glib opinion that would be far less likely shared out loud if the speaker knew the pain in the life of the #MeToo who happens to be within earshot, or happens to be in the conversation.
The foot-in-mouth moment we've all been on both sides of, that leaves a #MeToo hurting again, and feeling unsafe about sharing the pain.
Lord, why can't we remember this?
Why can't we see every single person as a #MeToo who has been hurt in some way, and could be hurt by a careless word?
The foot-in-mouth moment we've all been on both sides of, that leaves a #MeToo hurting again, and feeling unsafe about sharing the pain.
Lord, why can't we remember this?
Why can't we see every single person as a #MeToo who has been hurt in some way, and could be hurt by a careless word?
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