The #MeToo movement has recently pushed the envelope towards revealing the inequity, sexual harassment, and abuse of women in every walk of life, particularly the workplace. While uncovering sexual abuse is so, incredibly important, there are other aspects of discrimination that haven’t “risen to the level” of the #MeToo movement but are equally as important and hurtful.
What about the time(s) when…
1. You had to say “sorry” for something that you shouldn’t be saying sorry for? Do men do that?
2. Women in professional workplaces and of senior titles are marginalized by being “shushed” or told to “Be quiet” by men? Why is it that females don’t get the same credibility and respect? It friggen hurts to be shushed.
3. You are asked to plan social events, reserve meeting rooms, and do secretarial work that your job description does not entail? Yes, we are willing to do those things, but why aren’t men doing them too?
These insulting and degrading actions don’t seem particularly egregious on the surface, however, when they are directed towards you repeatedly in a pattern, women then feel incredibly marginalized and unimportant.
Men don’t realize how much they marginalize us. These topics need to be part of the education process, especially fo men. Men need to be more aware of that fact that we are capable just like them, and these tiny actions are constantly telling us that they think we aren’t.
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