thanks to mars
I was having lunch with a friend at the beach a few days ago, a friend that always engages me in interesting conversations.....and he mentioned in the midst of another good conversation that a mutual friend of ours had said that women don't really belong in the corporate world, as we are apparently naturally suited to home and children nurturing activities.
What I said was some mitigating bs about traditional feminine roles being unpaid and undervalued.
He seemingly accepted my terrible and weak response.
They are both British.
That is all I have to say about that.
But what the truth was, is....is that that was a completely sexist and further, confusing comment.
Confusing because, well, this mutual friend is actually extremely amazing at her job in this dog-eat-dog business environment.
And sexist, because...obvious.
But, apparently not so obvious.
It sounds totally racist to say that black people don't belong in the corporate world because they are more naturally suited to being servants. Or that Asians can't create art because they are better suited at math.
Was it fair to say that blacks shouldn't vote because it was just too hostile of an environment for them? Or that women shouldn't go to college because the whole education system was geared for men?
This woman lends a very caring and empathetic touch to her work, she gets her emotions involved and she goes an extra 2 miles because she cares so much. Is that because she is a woman or just good at her work?
If she were staying at home making lasagna and serving a family alone, the world would be a little less bright in the corner that she currently occupies. Her presence in a system that isn't as nourishing or healthy as it should be, could be, would be, is beautiful and brave.
It's just so simple.
I'm fairly convinced that gender roles are arbitrary and have a lot less to do with natural abilities than dogmatic obedience to tradition.
And I am very tired of the boring old lines that keep us all blind and restricted.
But I am not tired of fighting.
What I said was some mitigating bs about traditional feminine roles being unpaid and undervalued.
He seemingly accepted my terrible and weak response.
They are both British.
That is all I have to say about that.
But what the truth was, is....is that that was a completely sexist and further, confusing comment.
Confusing because, well, this mutual friend is actually extremely amazing at her job in this dog-eat-dog business environment.
And sexist, because...obvious.
But, apparently not so obvious.
It sounds totally racist to say that black people don't belong in the corporate world because they are more naturally suited to being servants. Or that Asians can't create art because they are better suited at math.
Was it fair to say that blacks shouldn't vote because it was just too hostile of an environment for them? Or that women shouldn't go to college because the whole education system was geared for men?
This woman lends a very caring and empathetic touch to her work, she gets her emotions involved and she goes an extra 2 miles because she cares so much. Is that because she is a woman or just good at her work?
If she were staying at home making lasagna and serving a family alone, the world would be a little less bright in the corner that she currently occupies. Her presence in a system that isn't as nourishing or healthy as it should be, could be, would be, is beautiful and brave.
It's just so simple.
I'm fairly convinced that gender roles are arbitrary and have a lot less to do with natural abilities than dogmatic obedience to tradition.
And I am very tired of the boring old lines that keep us all blind and restricted.
But I am not tired of fighting.
posted by hymenoptera's honey at 2:39 AM
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