This week’s post is more of a rant than a fun, sassy narrative. So buckle up because I’m riled up and not holding back.
As a 54-year-old woman, I am well-aware of the pervasive sexism that exists in our society. Like every woman I know, I’ve dealt with it in the workplace, at the gym, at the doctor’s office, and just about every other male-dominated space — especially the car dealership and auto repair shops.
Maybe it’s because I’m a sexual assault survivor.
Maybe it’s because Sunday was International Women’s Day and March is Women’s History Month.
Or maybe it’s just because of the current state of the world and the fact that our country is continuously stripping women of their rights and covering up heinous sex crimes.
Whatever the reason, I am fed up with misogynistic, sexist men who assume I’m not capable (of anything) because I born with a vagina instead of a penis.
I’ve never given any real thought to calling myself a feminist, but I am absolutely a feminist … And, apparently, an angry one at that.
Every day, it’s something. But what has me enraged this week in particular is my recent experience with a series of local contractors.
Over the past week, I’ve called ten contractors to discuss some repair and remodeling work. Of those ten, seven refused to schedule a consultation unless my husband was with me to “give his consent” (their words, verbatim).
Seven. Out of ten. Refused to deal with a woman only.
I think you can guess how that went over …
I did not hold back, explaining calmly — but with my full chest — how their policy (as they called it) was insulting at best, sexist and misogynistic at worst.
Needless to say, they did not take kindly to being called out, and I did not give them my business.
I doubt my outrage will make a difference in how these men do business in the future. After all, men like this do not value women’s opinions. But at least I know I did not compromise my values just to save a few dollars.
Plus, I like to think my small act of denying them business is a tiny step forward in taking down the patriarchy. That is the goal, after all.
—LJDT
P.S. This experience is just one minor example of the toxic masculinity we as women endure on a daily basis. For an easy-to-understand explanation of modern-day feminism and the effects of the patriarchy on women, watch @blairimani’s Instagram reel below:
