Without realising his biases, Minnesota state senator Gene Dornink called a female pilot a stewardess. Earlier this week, Minnesota legislators were hearing a case on the amendments to the state's “sick and safe time” law which allows time off to the state's employees for medical issues, treatment and family care. It also provides safety leave for employees to seek help for sexual assault cases or domestic violence - issues that disproportionately affect women. When it was time for Laura Haynor to provide testimony on behalf of Air Line Pilots Association International, the senator 'mistakenly' addressed her as a stewardess.
“My name is Laura Haynor, and I’m a Minnesota resident and a Minneapolis-based pilot for Delta Airlines,” Haynor told the lawmakers. This clarification was not enough for the senator who brought to play casual misogyny during the hearing of a case. The senator commented, "What a typical workweek is like for you as a stewardess.”
5.5 per cent of US commercial pilots are women. Moreover, Haynor clearly stated that she is a pilot for Delta Airlines. But nothing could bang the misogyny out of the 61-year-old senator who not only undermined Haynor's achievements but also casually let misogyny take the lead in the hearing.
However, the senator apologised and said “I'm so sorry. I apologize. I don't know why I said that, I'm so sorry.”
Why did the Senator make the 'mistake' in the first place?
Why did he commit the mistake in the first place? When the female pilot recorded her position, why did the senator fail to hear that? Is it because men tend to undermine or ignore women's success?
Just consider the bride-groom meetings for arranged marriages. All that families expect from a groom is a good job with handsome pay. But when it comes to the bride, her education or career does not add to her value. Her expertise in kitchen duties and housework makes her an eligible bachelor. Since childhood, girls are taught to see the money and nature of the man while men are expected to just see how beautiful a woman is. Money, success or even opinions do not matter if the woman is flawless with taste in her hands.
Men are not ready to accept women making spaces in male-dominated industries
The working industry came into play with men's needs and successes in mind. While women have made their space in male-dominated industries, it still seems that men are not ready to accept women as employees or employers. Even if some women do reach a significant position in their work life, they are not taken seriously.
Then workplace sexual harassment is also pervasive in work culture. Even if women make their place in the male-dominated industry, they are still judged for their bodies and not for their capabilities. Why is it so difficult for men to accept that women have the capabilities to score even in the outside world? Why is it assumed that the work culture is male-dominated? When are we going to recognise women's capabilities and appreciate their efforts and success?
When seniors like senators do not realise their internalised biases, what can we expect from common people?
I was recently watching a reel in which actor Priyanka Chopra talked about her personal experience. She said that the daughter of her housekeeper, who was very curious about Chopra's library and wanted to learn, was pulled out of school because the housekeeper didn't have enough money to send both her son and daughter to school. Since the daughter is anyway presumed to get married, the housekeeper decided to invest in the son's education.
No matter how much we brag about equality and women's empowerment, when it comes to the ground, misogyny and inequality have not faded from our lives.
Views expressed are the author's own.
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