- Main Entry:
- sex·ism
- Pronunciation:
- \ˈsek-ˌsi-zəm\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- 1sex + -ism (as in racism)
- Date:
- 1968
1: prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially : discrimination against women
2: behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex
Has anyone in the Bigfoot community noticed the word "sexism" being thrown about recently? Yeah, me too.
So, as of late, I've felt compelled to address the issue of sexism in the Bigfoot community.
Ready? Here it comes....
THERE ISN'T ONE!
Sexism is not an issue in this community, it is a claim to cause a distraction. Show me one instance where a person was treated unfairly, not because of their own actions, but based solely on their gender. The claim of "sexism" is being used as an excuse and a distraction from the root of the matter. It is an incredible slap in the face to women who have been victims of sexism, abuse, and sexual harassment. To use the term so randomly as a means to paint yourself in a light that is untrue, as to draw in sympathy from people who quite frankly have no clue as to what is going on, is just deplorable. It's like a woman who wears revealing clothes to the office, and flirts with her fellow co-workers, and then claims sexism if one of those co-workers gets into an argument with her and calls her on it. Would the same woman claim sexual harassment if her tactics did not result in a promotion? Probably so, and it's disgusting. Does that opinion make me a sexist? If a person of a racial minority is fired from the work place for stealing on the job, and then uses racism as an explanation as to why they were fired, does their community support that claim? Or are they appalled by the fact that one of their own would use this as a means to feign innocence, after all the racial atrocities that have been committed throughout history against them as a whole?
I have made some close and personal friends since entering this community. People I consider family. I met those people through research, both in the field and out. I have learned from all of them, and they have learned from me as well. No one person is held in higher regard than the other, nor is one person considered more knowledgeable than the next. Out of those 16 people, 7 of them are men, and 9 of them are women. While that number is very close to 50/50 if you start adding on random people I have researched with and talked with at length, the women start to take a fairly broad lead of margin. At times I've even been teased as being the "in the hen house with the rest of the hens." I've never heard any of them speak of acts against them based on gender, nor have I ever witnessed anything without their knowing that I would perceive as such. I've certainly never been accused of it.
Women are a common place in this community. Some of the most well known and respected individuals are in fact women. They did not reach that status because they are women, nor were they hindered from reaching that status because of it. Their actions, hard work, and dedication got them to where they are, just as it did for every other person in this field. If someone feels slighted in their position or how they are treated within this community, whether it be by the majority or minority, perhaps they should look inwardly before outwardly. Perhaps they should be honest with not only themselves, but others as well.
2: behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex
Has anyone in the Bigfoot community noticed the word "sexism" being thrown about recently? Yeah, me too.
So, as of late, I've felt compelled to address the issue of sexism in the Bigfoot community.
Ready? Here it comes....
THERE ISN'T ONE!
Sexism is not an issue in this community, it is a claim to cause a distraction. Show me one instance where a person was treated unfairly, not because of their own actions, but based solely on their gender. The claim of "sexism" is being used as an excuse and a distraction from the root of the matter. It is an incredible slap in the face to women who have been victims of sexism, abuse, and sexual harassment. To use the term so randomly as a means to paint yourself in a light that is untrue, as to draw in sympathy from people who quite frankly have no clue as to what is going on, is just deplorable. It's like a woman who wears revealing clothes to the office, and flirts with her fellow co-workers, and then claims sexism if one of those co-workers gets into an argument with her and calls her on it. Would the same woman claim sexual harassment if her tactics did not result in a promotion? Probably so, and it's disgusting. Does that opinion make me a sexist? If a person of a racial minority is fired from the work place for stealing on the job, and then uses racism as an explanation as to why they were fired, does their community support that claim? Or are they appalled by the fact that one of their own would use this as a means to feign innocence, after all the racial atrocities that have been committed throughout history against them as a whole?
I have made some close and personal friends since entering this community. People I consider family. I met those people through research, both in the field and out. I have learned from all of them, and they have learned from me as well. No one person is held in higher regard than the other, nor is one person considered more knowledgeable than the next. Out of those 16 people, 7 of them are men, and 9 of them are women. While that number is very close to 50/50 if you start adding on random people I have researched with and talked with at length, the women start to take a fairly broad lead of margin. At times I've even been teased as being the "in the hen house with the rest of the hens." I've never heard any of them speak of acts against them based on gender, nor have I ever witnessed anything without their knowing that I would perceive as such. I've certainly never been accused of it.
Women are a common place in this community. Some of the most well known and respected individuals are in fact women. They did not reach that status because they are women, nor were they hindered from reaching that status because of it. Their actions, hard work, and dedication got them to where they are, just as it did for every other person in this field. If someone feels slighted in their position or how they are treated within this community, whether it be by the majority or minority, perhaps they should look inwardly before outwardly. Perhaps they should be honest with not only themselves, but others as well.
1 comment:
well said matt
Post a Comment