So everything was off to a positive start. Hundreds of the most 'promising' journey person carpenters Ontario wide gathered here in Las Vegas to be trained to be more involved and progressive leaders in our trade and union, they call it 'transformational' leadership.
Anyway I was shocked to see most of our literature and instructors vocabulary still uses 'journeyman' instead of the more accepted term of the last decade or longer; 'journey person.' (You know because not only are there thousands upon thousands of women in our trade, but theres another organization promotimg diversity called 'sisters in the brotherhood' that has grown quite large. I wonder if theyre accepting trans women.. Im going off on a tangeant.. I apologize..)
Anyways now that theyve split the class into smaller classes, when my instructor goes on to describe how important amd influential women, the original founding members wives, were in making the carpenters union what it is today, naturally the boys gotta pipe up with;
'Why did we have to let them (women) into OUR union anyway?!'
'They're a distraction!'
'They're weak and lazy!'
'They're dangerous!'
...Utterly disgusted. This is the attitude of some of our best ans brightest stars from Canada, the land of tolerance.
There are a couple women attending right now, not to mention more than half of our instructors are also women. Not surprising these paragons of masculinity had to pick their moment when they thought we were all out of earshot..
On a positive though, aside from having to wear this goofy golf shirt;
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170211/cbbe05c5156b905402ccbd0a994e3a4a.jpg)
Im having a blast just admiring the training centre itself and all the displays of antique woodworking tools throughout the compound. (17 acres of awesomeness, Im getting my steps in this weekend for sure..!)
Angela, unfortunately Neanderthal Man is with us everywhere. I've heard the same comments from software engineers when they thought they were in a sympathetic and all male group (*snicker*). Yeah, wimpy nerds. I've heard it from gamers, from managers, from engineers, and from craftsmen. Seems awfully universal. Fortunately, it's not everyone, just some Good Ole Boys and their wannabe protégés, and they are getting older and being replaced by a more accepting generation.
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Quote from: Michelle_P on February 10, 2017, 09:55:30 PM
Angela, unfortunately Neanderthal Man is with us everywhere. I've heard the same comments from software engineers when they thought they were in a sympathetic and all male group (*snicker*). Yeah, wimpy nerds. I've heard it from gamers, from managers, from engineers, and from craftsmen. Seems awfully universal. Fortunately, it's not everyone, just some Good Ole Boys and their wannabe protégés, and they are getting older and being replaced by a more accepting generation.
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Sadly this group is pretty diverse in age..
If they were to run their mouth like this with on of the sisters around. (One of the instructors helped found that organization..!) Im sure theyd ne on the first available flight back home and people that get sent home from this conference are usually forcibly removed from the union entirely.
Fingers crossed.
There's idiots everywhere and there always will be. Prove them wrong with competence and brilliance. Gets you somewhere and leaves them in the dust.
Todays lesson was 'hilarious.' We had to act out scenarios of conflicts on jobsites and take turns as the agitator and the person diffusing the situation. Naturally they chose me to be THAT GUY that doesnt want women on site. I was pretty convincing, all I had to do was reach into past experiences and repeat everything Ive ever heard, lewd, misogynistic, and obstinate.. The reaction of course wasnt what Id hoped for;
Roaring laughter and thunderous applause.
It must be pretty hard for some to see themselves in others even as satire. (Especially when I was directly quoting the 'gentleman' from yesterday and looking directly at him.)
Cant wait to be home.
Quote from: Angela Drakken on February 12, 2017, 08:31:03 AM
It must be pretty hard for some to see themselves in others even as satire. (Especially when I was directly quoting the 'gentleman' from yesterday and looking directly at him.)
Lol, this is brilliant! I would have loved to see his face!
Quote from: JessicaK on February 15, 2017, 06:26:20 PM
Lol, this is brilliant! I would have loved to see his face!
You didnt miss much. Like I said, all of this either right over his and everyone elses head, or they still adamantly believe it to be true.
Sorry, must have missed that bit, didn't realise it went over his head. That ridiculous! Sounds like you handled the situation well tho, well done <3
Jessica
Now, not one week since weve all returned home, another fabulous leader, whom I work with directly, Gives a sermon about how its 'our duty as union 'brothers' to take a member aside and set them straight if theyre falling for a transgender person! We cant let this happen! It makes us all look bad!' (This wonderful example of humanity obviously referencing a mutul acquantance who remained behind in vegas on holidays. Hes probably jealous so hes got to get the rumor mill going that hes 'met someone questionable' in vegas and gotten married..)
I really really really question my future in my career at times like this.. Who am I actually kidding telling myself I can make this work around people like this? Y.Y
Is there a way you could get out of there and try another firm or something? From what you've told me, they don't sound like they would truly accept you if they knew everything. Maybe a slightly different job utilizing your skills? Coworkers make or break a job for me, a lousy job can be tolerable with decent people and a great job can be hell with bad ones.
Its just going to have to be something I roll the dice on. For all the bad here, this is the first jobsite Ive been on with a proper steward, which gives me a fair bit of leeway. Humam resources for the company should also bare fruit. I worry more or less about the mongoid chesthair carpenters from my own local 'welcoming' me. Push comes to shove I do have options. Some less pretty than others but all are effective in the long run. Its just a matter of how much I want to uproot my way of life.
Quote from: Angela Drakken on March 01, 2017, 05:01:14 AM
Its just going to have to be something I roll the dice on. For all the bad here, this is the first jobsite Ive been on with a proper steward, which gives me a fair bit of leeway. Humam resources for the company should also bare fruit. I worry more or less about the mongoid chesthair carpenters from my own local 'welcoming' me. Push comes to shove I do have options. Some less pretty than others but all are effective in the long run. Its just a matter of how much I want to uproot my way of life.
Hi Angela,
Unfortunately you work in an area that has traditionally been very misogynistic. From what you say, it sounds like they're not as brave when in mixed company. Maybe this will help you when you come out.
Do you think that many of the younger guys mimic this behavior to impress the older ones? I ask this because I thought that trades like yours were top heavy with older men that would soon be retiring. I'm wondering if this will change things for the better when they retire. Would the younger generation be more accepting if the older guys weren't around?
You're in a tough spot, it's interesting that so many of us transgender people are in occupations that are traditionally very male dominated.
Take care and good luck,
Paige :)
Quote from: Paige on March 01, 2017, 08:24:52 AM
Hi Angela,
Unfortunately you work in an area that has traditionally been very misogynistic. From what you say, it sounds like they're not as brave when in mixed company. Maybe this will help you when you come out.
Im definitely banking on this. Ive a truck load of documentation of discrimination from observations, personal incidents, and how they relate to the coprorate policies, the unions collective agreement and constitution, as well as the infamous 'green book.' Anyone feeling brave is going to run headlong into a war I dont think many will find worth ending their career over. But who knows?
Quote from: Paige on March 01, 2017, 08:24:52 AM
Do you think that many of the younger guys mimic this behavior to impress the older ones? I ask this because I thought that trades like yours were top heavy with older men that would soon be retiring. I'm wondering if this will change things for the better when they retire. Would the younger generation be more accepting if the older guys weren't around?
This is really a toss up. There are a lot more open minds with the younger generation. There are also a great many who are proud to be racist, sexist, unedicated, homophobic recidivists just like generations before with no desire or hope to change. As divierse as we are in positive ways, we dont really turn away the filth either.
Quote from: Paige on March 01, 2017, 08:24:52 AM
You're in a tough spot, it's interesting that so many of us transgender people are in occupations that are traditionally very male dominated.
Take care and good luck,
Paige :)
Thanks, Paige. I think in all honesty its going to be a struggle but I feel Im going to eventually come out on top. (This girl has really sharp teeth lol)
Quote from: Angela Drakken on March 01, 2017, 09:54:28 AM
Thanks, Paige. I think in all honesty its going to be a struggle but I feel Im going to eventually come out on top. (This girl has really sharp teeth lol)
Hi Angela,
Just from reading your comments, you seem very clever and more than up for this challenge.
I'm rooting for you.
Paige :)
Quote from: Paige on March 02, 2017, 05:09:43 PM
Hi Angela,
Just from reading your comments, you seem very clever and more than up for this challenge.
I'm rooting for you.
Paige :)
^.^ thanks!