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Ok look I have seen quite a few of you say things like "we need to protect women" and while that's a nice sentiment, I haven't seen any men actually elaborate on how they plan to do that, and since this tweet of mine also doesn't actually provide any actionable items, here goes: https://twitter.com/heyjenbartel/status/1273814786502012933
Women have countless group chats and whisper networks where we try to warn each other of any bad experiences we've had in the hopes that others don't have to be subjected to abuse. This approach leaves the entire burden of protecting others on the victims themselves, though.
Men: I'd like to see those of you with sizable networks who are respected in our industry and have the ear of other prominent men create a dedicated private discord/slack/group DM where you keep each other and your peers accountable for any inklings of inappropriate behavior.
I’d like to see you educate your colleagues—you know, the ones who don’t get what the big deal is? They might actually listen to you, especially if enough of you demand that they do. I want to see you carry some of that burden. Tired of you guys deferring to women on this.
I'd like to see more of you reach out to young women entering the industry to let them know that you're available as a resource to them, that if they ever are made to feel uncomfortable that you will use your influence to hold other men accountable, that you will listen to them.
I'd also like for those of you with the power to do so to hire some of these women on to your projects. I'd like to see you go to bat for them, to recommend them for jobs, to open a door for them without asking for anything in return. This will serve to balance power over time.
As I said before, distancing yourselves or even showing subtle distaste at the actions of these abusers is not enough. You need to actually be willing to confront them early on enough that it doesn't progress into a pattern. That is something that would *actually* protect women.
I know many of you personally and I've seen the knowing looks, the shaking heads, I've even heard some of you say "that guy is trash" but I've never witnessed any of you actually confront another man about his behavior. That work needs to stop falling on the shoulders of others.
So while the "I believe women" tweets are nice, those are nothing more than words if you don't actually start modifying your behavior.
Note: I used gendered terms in this thread bc it's largely been men who have been outed this week, but anyone can become an abuser if allowed.
Note: I used gendered terms in this thread bc it's largely been men who have been outed this week, but anyone can become an abuser if allowed.
