Have your ever-felt sexism creeping into your surroundings? If yes, then now is the right time to call it out.
Everyday sexism, as the name suggests occurs in our day to day conversation with people, be it casual or formal. It happens in daily life when we are with friends and family and frequently at our workplaces.
At times sexism turns out to be small things said or done which get played off as stereotypes. Some times it is too small to create a drama about it. Many times, we let it go by saying that one cannot be politically correct all the time.
It goes unchecked and it is hard to speak about it if they keep getting normalized. Everyday sexism is as influencing as it affects crucial decision-making points affecting the careers of men and women. Its deep structure plays a critical role and dominates people’s subconscious when they filter who to appoint, reward, promote and sponsor.
I am a literature student and my class is full of people who are sensitized on such issues.
One day, my best friend who happens to be a guy said that because we are such good friends, he doesn’t see me like a girl anymore. The reason that he gave me was simply that I appreciate cynical humor and can relate to things that are typically not considered feminine.
I asked him to not say this but he never realized the fact that while applauding my supposed masculinity he is belittling my feminine traits.
For him, I am a tomboy and gives him “bro” feels. Mind you again, that he has studied literature for a long time now and still implies femininity to be not celebratory of masculinity and that it is an unfavorable trait.
I would be wrong if I say that my friend isn’t a sexist. He a liberal literature student, he can’t be one. No. We dehumanize sexism when we say someone who isn’t inherently evil is not a sexist. Someone who finds rape a heinous act can’t be a sexist. This is not so.
These small acts and comments make up a big picture where women jeopardized and attacked daily. The lack of conviction we have is problematic.
The people who surround us, our friends and family and we are the ones committing these sexist acts.
There is a huge gap and it is tragic to know that even when we want to act as a feminist, we put little efforts to call out for sexist acts and comments. It feels tiring to be up and arms about social justice all the time. But no. Sexism is not something to take as dark humor or joke.
Even today, most women feel that they face discrimination based on gender roles at their offices and various other agencies.
Our society is still unable to become an all-inclusive space and include women without making those spaces uncomfortable for women daily.
Culture, context and generational gaps are used as excuses to escape the charges of being guilty of sexism.
It’s high that we call out such instances of sexism and not let it go by like a moment of tragedy. It takes a toll on a person’s self-esteem, mental health, and personal relationships.
It prevents and hurdles a woman’s progress and impedes many to raise their family equally. The social conditioning needs to be free of such social evils.
We must use excuses like:
∙ It’s dark humor, take it as an escapade
∙ It’s just a joke, take it that way
∙ You have been over-sensitized
∙ He is like that but he is a good person
∙ Toughen up chap!
By using such excuses, we diminish the seriousness of sexist behavior. Our silence and inaction validate and give consent to whatever is said and done. It ends up in the support of the transgressor and the victim is left alone to deal with it.
We have to speak up and not let this generalize into a common workspace practice. It is a social evil and needs a cure.
I say, let’s become an everyday leader and fight everyday sexism. We must let people know that sexism isn’t a joke and it is not okay at all.
Here is a list of things to do to fight sexism:
∙ Respond to ‘jokes.’ Don’t laugh it off. Ask them what do they mean by it?
∙ Value women’s opinion and capability
∙ Focus on capability, not on appearance
∙ Challenge stereotypes and gender labeling
There are a lot of unwritten rules about women’s roles. Find them and challenge them
Fuzia is against everyday sexism and we would love it if you come on board with us.
Originally published at https://www.fuzia.com.