#MeToo Campaign Continues With Rev. Jesse Jackson and John Singleton Being Named

The #MeToo campaign seems to still be going on as a New York-based journalist recently accused Rev. Jesse Jackson and director, John Singleton for sexually harassing her. In the past month, multiple women have spoken out regarding sexual misconduct throughout Hollywood. Allegations have flooded the media, causing women everywhere to tell their stories regarding sexual assault, and tagging it with the hashtag METOO. Recently, Danielle Young, a writer for The Root has come forward about her encounters with both men. Young penned a personal essay for the website, accusing both Jackson and Singleton of touching her without consent and repeatedly sexually harassing her.

In the essay, entitled, “Don’t Let the Smile Fool You. I’m Cringing on the Inside,” Young revisits her first encounter with Jackson. She goes on to tell how uncomfortable she felt with his inappropriate stares and contact he made against her body.

Young’s post included seven photos of herself with Jackson, including one in which Jackson’s right arm is around her neck while his left arm embraces Young’s arm across her body. Both Young and Jackson are smiling in five of the photos. In another, Young, who said she was “visibly uncomfortable” at the time, is pointing directly at the camera, “asking [Jackson] if we can just take the picture,” according to her post.

“When I was finally able to pull myself away from the Rev. Jackson’s grip, I was deflated,” Young said. “I admired this man who marched alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. A man who represented our ability to overcome, a man who is really … just a man,” Young said.

Young found her situation was not unique after contacting a former colleague. Initially, she did not want to come forward about the incidents and dismissed them as small, and trivial behaviors.

In a separate incident involving Singleton, Young describes the alleged assault he made during the 2017 American Black Film Festival. She goes into detail about how the director grabbed her and pulled her to his body. Young stated his comments were sexual innuendos that made her feel uncomfortable.

To date, Singleton has not responded to the allegations.

Rev. Jesse Jackson has responded by saying, “Although, he does not recall the meeting three years ago, he profoundly and sincerely regrets any pain Ms. Young may have experienced.

Meanwhile, Young stated she is no longer blaming herself for the unwarranted actions of others. To read the essay, visit The Root’s website.

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