Some time ago, there was an item in the WOW diary about a man who was sure his female friends were exaggerating about getting dick pics and harassment on dating sites. Finally he created a fake profile with a woman’s picture — and quickly conceded that everything he’d heard from women had been accurate. I was split between reactions: great that he finally believed it, and maybe other men would listen to him — but why couldn’t he just believe women in the first place? Why not trust women’s expertise about their own experiences?
Which brings me to the “dress for respect” experiment, and Linda Tirado’s pithy response:
Yes, of course I understand the advantages of having a tangible measure. It's just that women's voices never seem to be enough to get heard.
As always, WOW is a group effort. Thanks to Clio2, Crimson Quillfeather, BMScott, Angmar, Besame, and the WOW crew for links and discussion behind the scenes. Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from this week.
Violence & Harassment:
In 2008, multi-millionaire Jeffrey Epstein got an absurdly light sentence for sexually abusing adolescent girls. Alexander Acosta, the US attorney who signed off on the cozy deal, is now Trump’s Secretary of Labor.
The most dangerous place for women worldwide? Home. Here’s the full UN study on gender-based violence toward women and girls.
Some British MP’s call for a change in law that allows rapist fathers to apply for parental rights.
Women who are human rights defenders have been targeted in several countries.
KC Chiefs drop Kareem Hunt after he’s caught on video beating a woman.
People magazine runs a sympathetic profile of how sad Matt Lauer is these days, now that he can’t lock harassment victims in his office and drop his pants.
What men need to know about sexist microaggressions.
Reproductive Rights:
Ohio lawmakers are considering a law that includes the death penalty for abortion. Let’s hope John Kasich’s presidential ambitions keep him from signing it.
Media:
Margaret Atwood announces plans for a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale.
Viola Davis to portray Shirley Chisholm, first African-American woman elected to Congress.
24 journals that champion women’s writing.
Workplace Issues:
Sen. Kamala Harris and Rep. Pramila Jayapal announce plans to introduce Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights.
Health:
Nancy Cappello, breast cancer activist, dies at 66.
Uncategorizable:
Man charged with raping teenager argues that victim was of age because of Kansas’s “Life begins at conception” law. No, really.
Action Items:
A reading list for men about feminism.