#MeToo, Code Switch, and Societalization: The Creation of a Social Crisis

• In Event: 2331 - Moral Crisis and Meaning in the Sociology of Culture

Abstract

Social problems become "societalized" only when civil discourses and institutions become engaged. In the 'steady state,' social strains are dealt with by intra-institutional elites, and insulated from the scrutiny of "society." Occasionally, however, investigative journalism creates explosive exposes, and code switch transforms intra-institutional problems into dangers that threaten the deepest democratic values. New culture structures may then emerge, along with material sanctions and significant organizational reforms, but ferocious backlash is triggered as well. Institutional elites pushback, and a war between spheres emerges.

Sexual harassment in the workplace was an immensely significant social problem, but male elites exercised institutional power to prevent it from becoming known to the "outside world." In the months immediately preceding October, 2017, sexual harassment was revealed and talked about but it was politicized as an ideological problem (of left or right) rather than treated in a generalized manner, as a "societal" problem that challenged the moral core of the civil sphere. All this changed on October 5, 2017, when the New York Times published its investigation of Harvey Weinstein. A firestorm of moral indignation followed, inflamed by social media, and workplace sexual harassment became polluted as a widespread moral crime that struck at the heart of American democracy. Fundamental shifts occurred in the binaries and narratives that defined life inside American workplaces. Powerful men were resignified as predators, and victimized women were defined as survivors, heroes now encouragedto tell their own stories. Hundreds of powerful men were fired, and 40% of the positions were taken by women. Significant structural changes were made in corporate, scientific, religious, and state organizations. In the course of this societalization, backlash erupted, eventually centering on the Kavanaugh nomination hearings. The backlash has so far not succeeded in stopping #MeToo, and at the time of this writing there is no sign of the return to steady state.

Author

• Jeffrey C. Alexander, Yale University