COLUMN: Gretchen Carlson is my wakeup call

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Two minutes doesn’t sound like a long time — until you’re watching nonstop footage of male news anchors belittling their female co-host.

I came across a compilation of Gretchen Carlson’s time on "Fox & Friends" while I was following the news of her sexual harassment lawsuit against her former boss, Fox News CEO and Chairman Roger Ailes.

What I saw was cringe-worthy and appalling. The blatant sexist remarks, objectification and condescension Carlson dealt with on a daily basis — on a national news network, no less — shocked me. The worst part was, the men didn’t seem to think they were doing anything inappropriate. I couldn’t have scrunched my nose any more in utter disgust.

Growing up in the early 2000s, I thought gender inequality in the workplace was a thing of the past. Unabashed sexism toward women was part of movies and stories, something to indicate a past decade alongside vintage costumes and set pieces. It was dramatized for the sake of the scene, moments when my friends and I would turn to each other and say, “Can you believe it was actually like that?”

But here is Gretchen Carlson suing her boss for sexual harassment in 2016. The quotes attributed to Ailes in the lawsuit make him seem like a caricature. The clips of Carlson’s "Fox & Friends" male co-hosts diminishing her credibility look like theater. But, sadly, there is no intentional exaggeration.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/bizwomen/news/out-of-the-office/2016/07/column-gretchen-carlson-is-my-wakeup-call.html?page=all

[monmouth4]

1. They honestly think their remarks to her are a form of flattery. Unfortunately many women would

think so too..

[ToxMarz]

5. I think there are a lot fewer women who actually think so than some would believe

It's really not that easy for the most talented, educated people (women especially) to find good careers anymore, and finding a new job is NOT EASY. Those women aren't clueless, they may just be dealing with their reality. It's not fun being hungry, and they may find this the only alternative to marrying for convenience (and to someone like Ailes). Because it seems a lot of women accept this doesn't mean the believe it. It may be what they have to do to survive.

[Ilsa]

2. If anyone on fox actually changed channels occasionally,

They'd see the extreme difference in how female hosts are treated on the different networks.

[kimbutgar]

3. In th 1980's I worked for an investment banking firm

I had two strikes against me a woman and was a light skinned black woman. The sexist comments and harassment I faced on a daily basis really was a wake up call. We could not wear pants ever. One guy told me I had beautiful lips and he knew a way I could put them to good use. Sometimes when I had to walk by a group of men they would "accidentally" touch my butt. I stayed in the job because the money and bonuses were good. Finally I left and went to another firm that wasn't as sexist. I can't imagine these type of environments today but they are still there going strong at Fox. The only thing I gained was I would never let any man in the workplace ever disrespect me again. I know how to slam down sexist idiots real quick. I applaud Gretchen begrudgingly for her courage to come forward and expose fox. The only unfortunate is very few people in the right wing bubble will hear about this lawsuit.

[sarae]

4. It's very strange to hear any woman say she thought sexism was a thing of the past.

It's not at all surprising to hear Gretchen's story, unfortunately. I've seen similar stories happen to me and the women around me my whole life.

Granted, I was born in the early `70s, but sexist behavior has always been apparent in every place I've worked. There's never been a point at which I remember thinking, "Oh, I never see sexist behavior anymore." To be sure, things have improved, but sexism is still very much alive.

Thanks for posting – interesting read.

[dflprincess]

6. I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for her

though I hope she wins her lawsuit. She should have filed suit years ago and, unlike most harassment victims, she had a lot of the abuse on tape and there would have been not "he said/she said" arguments about her allegations.

But it appears she was willing to put up with it as long as a large paycheck was being deposited in her account.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

7. Here's the clip they mention.....

[Jopin Klobe]

8. I seriously can't believe ...

... that professional women are told what to wear ...

... no pants ... really? ... "no pants" says it all ...