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TW: MENTIONS OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
When #MeToo went viral, Janet Gurtler was among the millions of people who began to reflect on her past experiences. Things she had reluctantly accepted—male classmates groping her at recess, harassment at work—came back to her in startling clarity. She needed teens to know what she had not: that no young person should be subject to sexual assault, or made to feel unsafe, less than or degraded.
You Too? was born out of that need. By turns thoughtful and explosive, these personal stories encompass a wide range of experiences and will resonate with every reader who has wondered, “Why is this happening to me?” or secretly felt that their own mistreatment or abuse is somehow their fault—it’s not. Candid and empowering, You Too? is written for teens, but also an essential resource for the adults in their lives—an urgent, compassionate call to listen and create change.
MY REVIEW
This was a really good and enjoyable book. Although I don't read many books in which they get multiple authors to tell a story, this was a good one to start with.
To start off; This has multiple different stories of sexual harassments. And what I love the most about it is: I can feel their emotion. I dang near cried during class reading each and every one. Not only does it have stories of female harassments, but it also of course, has stories of male harassments. Because guys go through rape, too.
A lot of stories in here state that everything happened when they were around the ages of 5-16. Dang. Imagine being 5 and not having a single clue what's going on. Not only that: but not even knowing that what the person is doing is bad. The first author is Patty Blount. Bless her heart. It started off in her best friend's house: When she is 5 years old: and she wanted her friend's dad to build her a crib for her doll. Little did she know he had other plans. What makes me so mad in this story is that her own mother told her to never tell anyone. Not even the detectives. Because at the time, that was something that was "never mentioned".
Another thing that this book highlights is the saying "Boys will be boys," is said too much.
"Boys will be boys!" or "Dress nicely, it's not like he can control himself." are multiple things that are said to the point where by now its acceptable. It shouldn't be. Because BOYS should LEARN how to control themselves. People make it acceptable for guys to be perverting and gross. Saying it will the excuse "Oh, well what were you wearing?" because THAT shouldn't be an excuse. A young girl can wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt, get harassed, and all of a sudden people are turning on her. "What did you wear? Maybe it was that."
Boys can control themselves. Just as much as girls can. You just don't want to teach them that.
Another topic that is brought up is race.
How being a young black girl may be difficult. How you speak or act "white".
"Maybe I should've acted my colour."
Ronni Davis blamed her harassment on her personality. On who she is, and how she acts.
Which is something no one should EVER have to go through.
"We need to work toward making this world a place where you people will be able to say with confidence 'NOT ME. It never happened to me.' It's what we all deserve."
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