I was saddened though unsurprised to hear that sexism is still as much of an issue in the wine industry as it is in the food and beverage industry at large. As a veteran of the food industry, sexism is an issue with which I am familiar. As a waitress in high school, I was harassed by customers. I was a line cook at an up-and-coming New York restaurant until I quit because the head chef began sexually harassing me (three children and a wife appear an ineffective deterrent). I could go on but I don't want to whine. And I am not unique. Many women I have spoken with about this issue have also experienced sexual harassment. But it's hard to talk about openly because it makes one feel disempowered and victimized. It’s a tough line to tread between being perceived by potential male allies as accusatory rather than engaging.
This problem cannot be resolved without the help of men and so the deafening silence of victims of sexual harassment must be broken. For this reason, I want to involve men on this issue in a way that is not antagonizing. What does that look like? I'm asking you. I want to know how we can start to build more inclusive workplaces and industries. I’m curious to know how you have either been able to have productive conversations around this topic or otherwise combat it in practice. Please comment below or reach out to me separately!
I know there are many issues - race, sexual identity, sexual orientation, religion - for which we need more advocacy. I choose to focus on this one because it is one with which I have direct experience, and therefore feel more comfortable advocating for.
Thank you!
Thanks for starting this conversation, Lesley. I just read this engineer's account of her time at Uber (https://www.susanjfowler.com/blog/2017/2/19/reflecting-on-one-very-strange-year-at-uber) - makes it clear that these issues are still incredibly present across industries.
ReplyDeleteLesley, I agree wholeheartedly. See: http://www.forbes.com/sites/yec/2017/02/14/feminism-in-the-era-of-millennials-its-about-leaping-versus-leaning/#5858c89f10ca
ReplyDeleteLesley-
ReplyDeleteWould you mind elaborating on the wine industry sexism? Perhaps there was a comment in class Tuesday that I missed. I'm curious because my wife, who is also in the food industry, has experienced this to sickening levels. She actually left her last job in a very prestigious kitchen because the kitchen was a "Good Ole Boys Club" where it was considered sacrilegious for a young female chef to question or upstage an older male whereas the men were encouraged to essentially be at each other's throats. When men behaved that way, it was pawned off on the aggressive culture of kitchens. When women behaved that way, they were "bitches and needy." Quite ridiculous indeed.
My wife now does some contract work in the wine industry around recipe development and food pairing, and I know she would identify with your experience.
Hey George,
DeleteI'm sorry to hear your wife has had similar experiences. I don't have firsthand knowledge of the wine industry so I can't elaborate beyond what was mentioned in class. The comment that prompted this post was that the wine industry is also very much a good ol boys club. In my experience, the same themes seem to occur in environments where sexism is more acceptable. Women are excluded, harassed, held to different standards than male counterparts and often are unable to gain recognition for their work. What I mean to say is that I haven't experienced different "brands" of sexism in different industries. The sexism and sexual harassment I experienced in kitchens felt very much like that I experienced in a scientific research laboratory. Have you and/or your wife found effective ways to combat sexism at work (or life in general)?