Daily Misogyny – Gender and Punishment

This month in our ‘Monthly Media Spotlight’ our team wants to consider the impact of public punishment in the age of the internet. Public shaming may be a double edged sword. Calling out racist and misogynistic actions, situations and people can have positive impacts. However, rushing to conclusions can create judgments of guilt without a fair hearing. Speaking out can enable protections for those lacking power, the experiencing underprivileged or under representation. It can also create a high level of exposure, insecurity and vulnerability. But what choice did we have before?

How much blame can we place on the media for the promulgation of racist sexist stereotypes? Many of us have come across the insensitive flippant comments disrespecting African countries. It isn’t worth repeating in full the “hope I don’t catch (insert disease here)” or “the ***hole countries” descriptor by a head of state. Both men and women have been guilty of this. So what about the role of fellow women?

To what extent do women also participate in a misogynistic culture that is so strongly against other women. Do you feel an exaggerated negative response or situation exacerbated because of your gender?

We need to hear from you. Have you ever faced even more increased outrage when you don’t show the “acceptable” amount of deference or contrite expressions of remorse? Do you have a story similar to the female metro train worker discussed in our previous post.

We’ve each felt it, and we’ve each seen versions of this while working in our various positions in international organizations. It’s interesting how the attitudes we have spoken out against have spilled over into the public discourse.

Our writers want you to consider – Why are many more aware of the gender based incidents of bias, but people are still so quick to ignore that race may also play a role? Most of us are only guests in the countries to which we are assigned, and we know too well this kind of pettiness…usually directed to women of color. It’s epidemic.

In our view, it was only a matter of time.

Pondering…Have you ever been “punished” in the workplace for a minor infraction but notice that others do even more terrible things without consequence? How many of theses incidents are readily acknowledged as gender based slights? Consider how much of that may be due to race based biases?