Apr 12 2006
sexism with humour
excerpt from email distributed at work. Email title: “Needed: A few buff men”
“…to move (specified heavy) equipment. I don’t think us administrators have that kind of strengh. Well maybe (girls name) but not me…”
This email explicitly cites gender as a requirement. In my books that’s sexism. Probability suggests that more men than women will have the strength (job criteria) to carry large equipment. Probability should not be used to explicitly exclude those women who do actually fit the criteria for the job. Any job. Generalise the idea. Person with the best skills for the job is recruited to do it, irrespective of gender. Fabulous.
That one female administrator may be qualified to carry the heavy equipment feels like a last minute concession after the offense. It might also be gender-based, derogatory, humour. I can’t tell.
I’m too small to carry the equipment. I pointed out to the administrator that she was being sexist. Does that make me witch of the day? Then I’ll bewitching everyday…
1 inspirational thought about sexism with humour
