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Show THE FORUM - CAMPUS 5 JANUARY 4, 2012 the ladder without people looking up your skirt You can climb of Any student faculty, staff or community member can contribute to this gender issues column. Send your contribution toforumeditor0estminsterc0Hege.edu with the subject line "Gender Issues Column. 9 Katherin Nelson Contributing Writer t sr x U V V! i 9 Q '? Ross Baker in the backcountry. I was bom years after the womens rights movement. I was raised by rriy parents and teachers to believe I could become anything I wanted, but when I entered the work force, I was considered by many to be nothing more than a pair of tits to gawk at. Ive never worked as a cocktail waitress, exotic dancer, escort or any other position that might require a woman to use her looks and charm rather than her brain to get the job done. Ive worked in offices. Lots and lots of offices filled with grey cubides, florescent lighting and married men. Growing up in the 90s, I came of age under the impression that women had equal rights, and machismo was something that only existed in countries where women had to wear burquas. When I began working in offices, I learned that men and women are treated differendy, and sexism is one of the few things thats flourishing in this economy. Aside from having my ideas, intelligence and accomplishments pushed aside simply because of my sex, Ive experienced numerous instances of inappropriate comments, advances and behaviors in the workplace that have left me flabbergasted and furious. Ive been asked over company email for xxx pictures of myself. Ive been told that I would look good with my legs behind my head. Once, when I thanked a man for holding the door for me, he told me it was his pleasure to enjoy the view. A senior executive once sent me an IM that said Yum. You look delicious today. All of these things have happened in an office, in this state, in this decade. Im an average-lookilady. Its not like Giselle was strutting office Victoria Secrets new lingerie line. I dont usuaround the in ally wear makeup, heels or even fix my hair when I go to work. Yet when I first informed my superior of the aforementioned events, his answer was that I was doing something to provoke my lascivious colleagues. Women have been blamed for mens indiscretions since the beginning of time. As a child I believed that Delilah was responsible for Samsons downfall, Salome for John the Baptists death and Eve for the end of paradise. But after working in an office, Ive developed a new understanding of these women, they werent ng Continued from Page 1 temptresses, they were just there. Oh, what a seductress I am! Walking the office halls in a hoodie, and emailing VPs for project updates. I shouldnt be surprised at inappropriate advances when I send a fax so provocatively... Oops! The cover sheet didnt go through. Ill have to push the butmarried men ton again. How could I blame these middle-age- d, come-oI for thinking was open to the kind of one might hear in a seedy strip club? Since my first day in an office job eight years ago, Ive learned a lot about climbing the corporate ladder. Ive also managed to learn how to keep people from looking up my skirt as I climb. The first thing a young women in the work place needs to know is that inappropriate comments are not their fault, and they are not to be tolerated. If women want to be seen as brains instead of breasts in the work place, we cannot allow anyone to make the types of comments that have been made to me over the years. No, not all men talk to women like that. Most of them dont. Ive met many wonderfully intelligent, supportive and feminist men in my life in the workplace. Not all men are dogs; however, a few of them still respond to women like Pavlovs dogs did to the ring of a bell. My years of experience dealing with weirdos in the workplace has taught me to stand up for myself, not only for myself, but for any other young women that come after me. Ive known plenty of women to react to lewd comments by laughing nervously, smiling and playing dumb. That is just as unacceptable as the improper behavior that caused that reaction. If you show people they cant talk to you that way, they will stop. If you have the guts to tell them to stop, you have the guts to tell other people what they are doing. That will stop them in their tracks. Ignoring the behavior will only solve the problem for a short time. Its like covering moldy carpet with a pretty rug. It will be out of sight for a while, but it wont go away and soon it will make of ns Scotty Pike at the Winter Dew Tour. INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? FOLLOW THE GUYS AT THEIR BLOG SHREADTHESTATION.COM Ross Baker is no stranger to the camera. Its going to be nice to get the exposure and future' opportunities, Banks said. It will be something to show sponsors in the future and gives us some marketability. Well be able to show people what we did last year, give sponsors numbers and make a name. A New Direction Sitting in the confines of Bakers kitchen its hard to believe the house belongs to a snowboarder who has and U.S. placed in the top ten at both the Dew Tour and taken secOpen, competed in the Winter ond place at King of The Hill in Alaska. The typical posters, swag, and cutouts that wallpaper the houses of most snowboarders are missing, replaced camouflage. instead by a hunting bow, rifle and real-tre- e can pick out a However upon closer inspection you corner of snowboarding gear hidden amongst dirtied duck hunt. Snowfatigues and boots from the mornings shells and well-usboarding photographs sit among shotgun tools. The room is a reflection of Baker: a good old American boy who does what he loves. pe miserable. Baker chose to move away from the big competitions runs were reand started riding for himself. Half-pip- e placed with backcountry riding and filming. According to Baker, it couldnt have worked out any better. I had the best season of my fife, he said. I my passion and it was great to see that people and sponsors were still backing what I was doing. Thats what this series is going to be all about. The im- es, J For Baker this project marks a big step in a new direction. He grew up snowboarding in the competition rider. circuit and became a very accomplished half-piHowever, this all changed last season. Snowboarding evolves and changes over the years, said Baker. For me, it started for fun, but when youre competing at the high levels it gets serious and gnarly. With contests, I got burnt out, and it was too much pressure and too hard on the body. It became a job that was re-fou- ed you nd portant things in snowboarding that can get overlooked when youre pushing so hard in the competitions. This is going to be different, said Wandling Were going to be out with friends shooting this thing, and its going to be about having fun. . sick In this generation, we all believe we have equal rights. of our generation, and I have I dont high hopes and faith in the men ol believe that they will follow in the footsteps of the boys club. But there are still a few of boys out there. We dont believe that a womans sole purpose is to excite a man and bear his children, so if you ever encounter an experience that doesnt perpetuate that idea, do not allow it to continue. Be upfront, uncensored and unwavering. Fight off their advances with defense equally as strong. Id rather someone think of me as a bitch, than their bitch any day. |