Here's What You Need To Know About The Issue Between Black People and Assault

Sexual assault allegations are on a high within the entertainment industry. Many people across the age, race and sexuality spectrum has come forward with their experiences of sexual assault. Just last week, Olympic gymnastic Ally Raisman came forward to disclose her history of sexual misconduct with her doctor during the Olympics.

Whether its full on physical or verbal contact it is still a sexual assault. Sexual assault or harassment is unwanted sexual advances that are enforced by power or authority against someone else's will. That could be a touch on someone's genitals, verbally, digitally, gestures are suggestive sexually that make someone feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Usually in the discussion of sexual assault, white women are the focus. Black women and men have experiences from sexual assault just as much as white women. However, black women have been degraded and ignored whether its because of skin tone or body types. All the women that have spoken against Harvey Weinstein, predominately white women except actress Lupita Nyong'o. However he has been quiet about the white women that have accused Weinstein of sexual assault but quickly denied Lupita when she went public with her allegations. For some strange reason he choose to speak and deny when Lupita spoke out. It shows how dumbfounded he was that a dark-skinned black actress claim that he would give her sexual advances and assaulted her. There is a clear double standard when it comes to sexual assault towards black people particularly black women as well as black men. It is very telling how racism, hypocrisy can be tied with assault. Actor Terry Crews bravely came forward with his accusations of assault against an agent, people ridiculed him because of his stature and body type and reputation of being strong built he could've defend himself against the assault. There is already a stigma towards black men to stand tall and not show any emotions. If so that could lead to people calling a black man "silly," "weird" or "gay." There wasn't any judgement when actor Anthony Rapp reveal the same act of assault from another male. When Nyong'o came forward there was a nearly as much support as her white counterparts like Rose McGowan.

For example, when rose McGowan revealed her sexual assault experience people rallied and protested on Twitter of a free day off the social app. People of color started the tag #WoCAffirmation to call for attention to say women of color are ignored and forgotten in the conversation about the issue. Its disappointed how black women and men are treated when they speak up for themselves. The hashtag #MeToo that shared across the internet of people coming out with their experience with sexual assault. The hashtag became a phenomenon for white women however it was never mainstream acknowledged that it was formed by a black woman named Tarana Burke. White feminists basically claimed that hashtag that was years of work for Burke to achieve. In 1997, Tarana Burke sat across from a 13-year-old girl who had been sexually abused. The young girl was explaining her experience, and it left Ms. Burke speechless. That moment is where the Me Too campaign was born. But black, Latino and other women of color started their own campaign. April Reign, a digital media strategist and the woman behind the #OscarSoWhite hashtag, began to organize people around the #WOCAffirmation or women of color affirmation.

The purpose was to uplift one another as they saw a disparity in how women of color were treated when they reported abuse. People treat black people when they speak up by saying they either are being dramatic or they are simply lying. You may like a particular actor or director but once he or she is accused of something horrible as a sexual predator it time to reflect what you support and your values. Even if you feel everyone is innocent until proven guilty however the person and people doing the accusing deserve a voice. Multiple people coming forward against someone in a social issue such as sexual assault should be indicator that you may want to consider risks and humanity of the victims. Olympic gold-medal gymnast Gabby Douglas revealed that former team doctor Larry Nassar sexually abused her. Nassar who was the same doctor as her teammates that have been victimized She is now one of more than 140 women and girls including former team mate and Olympian McKayla Maroney and Ally Raisman. Singer Khalid took to Twitter to express his frustrations when encountering faces can be uncomfortable. It reminded fans that assault can be any form if its not wanted, with no consent. Khalid said he ignored the fan and left the premises because he didn't want to be angry in front of his fans. His fan immediately showed him support on Twitter.