Jessica Guynn’s Post

Thanks #DrLynnSchmidt for bringing to our attention. It is not only men who discriminate against women. Many women are being held back in the workplace and elsewhere due to gender stereotypes that have been internalized by all of us. An example of this that I have frequently witnessed in helping those who report #sexualharassment in the workplace is that women are often seen as less credible than men. As a result, when they report toxic behaviours in the workplace women are often not believed, and/or the harm caused by these behaviours is minimized. This negative reaction from co-workers (male and female alike) can be even more harmful than the behaviours they were reporting, leaving them feeling isolated and depressed. If you or someone you know are experiencing #sexualharassment at work I encourage you to reach out to #SHAPE at www.shapeyourworkplace.ca. #safeworkplaces #equitableworkplaces #TLCSHIWproject

This. Is. Powerful. There are many examples in Barbie of sexism and the negative impact it has on women. This example stood out for me because I hear so many women asking why other women aren’t supportive. Women will say, “I get why men are sexist, but why are women sexist toward other women?” It’s because, as United Nations data show, we are all sexist to varying degrees. And unfortunately women internalize sexist biases that not only cause them to doubt themselves, but can cause them to be sexist toward other women. It can also cause them to support the patriarchy. This is a common phenomenon, but it’s rarely addressed, so it was powerful for Greta Gerwig to bring it up in the movie. Sasha's reaction was a gut reaction — she's hating Barbie because the patriarchy encourages internalized misogyny. You know, guys love a “cat fight.” And “divide and conquer.” If we don’t all recognize and acknowledge the ways in which we are sexist, and manage our biases, nothing will change. Be Antisexist. #sexism #barbie #allyship #professionalwomen #womenleaders #mentalhealth #diversityandinclusion #leadership #feminism

Exactly. Sexist. Microaggression. Women and girls face so many sexist microaggressions that objectify, shame, and invalidate. In my book Antisexist microaggression is one of the four outcomes of sexism. It’s where violence against women and girls starts. 👉Microaggression towards women and girls has become normalized. In a study of women in corporate America, 64 percent reported experiencing microaggressions at work. 👉Excerpt from Antisexist: “While microaggressions may appear small, they aren't. They are a form of abuse. Years of being stereotyped, shamed, and objectified can make women feel unsafe. It can cause feelings of inferiority, distress, anxiety, and depression. Those who speak up about microaggressions might be labeled as overly sensitive or too politically correct. Criticizing sexist behaviors can lead to women and their allies being ridiculed and silenced. People in power may use their positions to manipulate those experiencing microaggression into believing they are wrong. Microaggression perpetuates the patriarchy while silencing women.” - Lynn Schmidt 👉What examples of microaggression toward women and girls have you heard or seen that make you snarl? How about “She asked for it” or “Female engineer” or “Working mother” or “Women should make the coffee” or “She should take the notes” or “Dresses like a slut” or “She’s a ball-buster” or “Run like a girl” or “Blonde jokes.” These are some “G” rated examples. Be Antisexist. Thanks to the Wolf Conservation Center for such an appropriate meme. Stay fierce. #sexism #allyship #microaggression #wellbeing #mentalhealth #leadership #bias #professionalwomen #diversity #womensrights #humanresources #coaching

Join me on a journey of self-discovery and connection! Explore the depths of self-love and intimacy in my latest blog post: 'An Invitation to Explore Self-Love and Intimacy.' Where we explore the intriguing question: What's the impact of self-love, and does it hold different significance for women compared to men? Join the conversation and gain insights into the complexities of self-love and intimacy. #SelfLove #Intimacy #Blog" Let's dive in! https://lnkd.in/eUWEU_7V

We are in the 4th wave of feminism. As I move further into my research on sexism in the workplace, I wonder, where does feminism fit. "Isms" can be good and bad and are based on acceptance and beliefs. This article tells us where we have been, how we arrived, and opens the door to where we are going. "In addition to holding powerful men accountable for their actions, fourth-wave feminists are turning their attention to the systems that allow such misconduct to occur."

We're approaching the end of #TransgenderAwarenessWeek, and I've got something important to ask: Where are the trans men? Oh, I know they're here on LinkedIn, but in pop culture--and in the minds of transphobic idiots--there are only trans women. I think I know why, too. It's a combination of sexism, misogyny, and homophobia that creates a nasty, dirty stew of toxic masculinity and men who are triggered by the idea that "a man" might "decide to be" a woman. Why? First, there's the whole "I know how we men treat women; why would any man want to put up with THAT bullshit?" thing. Then there's the "what if I date a woman and IT TURNS OUT SHE'S 'REALLY' A MAN?!?!? OMG!!!!" Honestly, that is something to be concerned about, because when a guy has a homophobic freakout, it can be REALLY dangerous for the trans woman involved. And then there's the whole We Must Protect The Fairer Sex(tm) trope. This is the trope that inspires "bathroom bills." The sponsors of those bills assume that everyone is as much of a sexual predator as they are, so they spread irrational fears about "male" predators lurking in women's bathrooms. But the invisibility of trans men has had serious consequences for those of us who may not have felt fully comfortable in our female bodies but didn't know there was actually the option of transforming our bodies to more accurately reflect who we are. I honestly didn't know trans men existed until I was in my 20s, even though I was quite familiar with trans women and even knew one or two because they were friends of my mother's. When I first started trying to figure myself out, way back when the first multicellular organisms were swimming around in primordial goo, the only identity I could find that even began to feel right was lesbian. Within a lesbian identity--and within the punk movement--I had more options of behaving in a "masculine" way than I would have in other subcultures. The subsequent eons have been a time of repeated efforts to be a woman, because that's how I was socialized, but never feeling truly comfortable in the trappings of womanhood. And, of course, there was the monthly reminder that I was fertile and could get pregnant at any time. Menopause--and years of therapy unpacking the ways toxic masculinity has harmed me--finally liberated me from that, and now I'm getting a chance to explore the masculine side of myself. I feel so much more comfortable in my body, and in my mind, when I embrace the fullness of my identity. Trans men DO exist. Transmasc non-binary people DO exist. I'm one of them. #TransMen #TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransMasc #ToxicMasculinity #NonBinary

https://lnkd.in/eWx2Qmph It was a relaxing Saturday afternoon at Next Door Beach Resort. I met Ama, a humanist friend, for lunch. Knowing her level of intelligence, I was eager to discover her perspectives on feminism. Why was feminism so important to women? Why did it appear to be an explosive topic? Was the primary objective to attack men? I was in desperate need of some sound explanations. There is a widespread, unfavourable stereotype of feminists. Feminists are stereotyped as furious, spiteful, and caustic. I hoped to put an end to my conceptual confusion. During our conversation, I was mostly silent. I didn't speak unless I was thinking aloud or asking a question. We looked at a few scenarios that feminists may refer to as proof of a man's world, or what many people call patriarchy. I was fully aware of the frequent examples of women belonging to the kitchen. I have two younger sisters. When my mother needed help in the kitchen, she would call my two sisters. That much was to be expected. Read more at https://lnkd.in/eWx2Qmph #petersbox #malefeminist #feminist #feminism #blogpost #diaries

Dear Men of LinkedIn: Let's not comment on women's appearances on LinkedIn. I know that commenting "that's a beautiful dress" seems like a nice, polite gesture. But when we focus on women's clothes and/or bodies we fail to focus on their ideas. If she's on LinkedIn, I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that she doesn't want to read your comment on her appearance. (Women of LinkedIn: If I'm wrong, please let me know in the comments.) Like every human person, she wants positive feedback. LinkedIn is just not the place for appearance comments. If we, the Men of LinkedIn, continue to focus attention on women's clothes and bodies and disregard their ideas, we participate in sexism. Sexism is a powerful force of oppression. Sexism kills women. It’s no joke. If you want to comment on appearances, please comment on mine. I don't get nearly enough commenting on my clothes, face, and body. Men of LinkedIn, we are strong! We are mighty! We can comment on women's ideas! Go forth and have a great weekend!!! #sexism #feminism #women #MenofLinkedIn #equality #linkedincommunity #linkedingrowth #linkedinchallenge

‘Believe Women’ was a slogan. ‘Believe All Women’ is a straw man The slogan “Believe women” means, “Treat women seriously, and don’t automatically just believe the man.” That’s what Monica Hesse outlines, here: https://lnkd.in/gxwr5RGg "Believe women" means “don’t assume women as a gender are especially vindictive, and recognize that false allegations are less common than real ones,” (Sady Doyle, 2017). The idea of the slogan is to neutralise bias - the persisent and well-documented sexist bias that pervades courts and communities and that means that women who allege being assaulted are treated as liars, while the men who assault them are not held accountable. But the slogan was not, and is not, “Believe all women.” “Believe women” was a reminder, not an absolute rule; the beginning of a process, not an end […] Believe women . . . enough to seriously investigate their claims,” Hesse writes. ““Believe all women,” on the other hand, is rigid, sweeping, and leaves little room for nuance.” Few if any feminists believe “that every single woman, everywhere, has always told the truth, on every occasion, about everything”. “Believe all women” is a straw man, an invention used to discredit efforts to take violence against women seriously. This is similar to how “Black Lives Matter” is misperceived and misrepresented as “Black Lives Matter, Only”. Yes, false allegations of violence and abuse happen. And the fact is, they are rare. Most allegations of violence and abuse are made in good faith. That's what the research says, as I summarise here: https://lnkd.in/dJXabhZE So when we hear allegations of violence and abuse, we should listen to them and take them seriously. We should not assume that all and every allegation is true. But we should grant a presumptive legitimacy or credence to such claims.