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by kelvin0 3031 days ago
As a man I have no equivalent experience, so it's very difficult to judge. However, being in a mostly male environment the probabilities of encountering a 'dick' are very good. Should all 'dicks' be sent to the gulags? How can we stop them becoming/acting like 'dicks'? Enact tougher 'dick' laws?

I really don't understand how this could ever be resolved. Talking about it seems like a start, but it really makes me feel like I am part of the problem as a man, and I don't feel this is positive tone to this conversation.

Help?

4 comments

Being a man does not make you a part of the problem any more than being a woman makes you a victim. The behavior is what's bad, not being a male. This thought process is actually what we are trying to battle: being of one sex or race does not make you inherently better or worse than anyone else.

I hope that there is a positive to find: that socially we can empower those who would otherwise be victims through our support. I'm not sure what exactly that looks like yet, but we're figuring that out. We're talking about it. That's positive :)

Step 1. Don't be a jerk.

Step 2. Think about if you might accidentally disrespecting people. Read stories like OP and think if you'd done something that was unintentionally hurtful.

Step 3. Look out for abuse, and call it out where you see it.

Step 4. Look out for people being overlooked and ignored, and give them a platform and a microphone (figuratively or literally).

I'm a guy (not that it matters in this context). You deal with all of this inappropriate behavior in the same way: you shit can the people responsible. They get a verbal warning the first time, and the second time they're gone. If people aren't fired or disciplined harshly for bad social behavior, it's sending the message that the behavior is an accepted part of the culture. At the end of the day, no one irreplaceable, and people internalize this message extremely quickly after 1-2 firings.
> Should all 'dicks' be sent to the gulags?

Yes? I'd rather not work with dicks and I will do whatever I can in my professional capacity to ensure that dicks are not hired or promoted.