Sexism in the audio industry

[mylesgm]

Ok, here's a can of worms.

Some of you probably saw the huge discussion (now heavily deleted) that appeared following the posting of photo meme on one of the aussie audio facebook pages. I called the picture sexist and the the thread devolved into a rampant example of the sexism and misogyny in our industry with the only woman making comments on the discussion called a bitch, a slut, a mong, and a bunch of other derogatory terms and those of who called out the sexism called bleeding hearts and similar. Several people then tried to argue that there was no sexism in the industry in spite of the clear examples in the thread itself.

I'm not wanting to call out names or whatever but to highlight this rather large canker sore in our midst and one that determines that a lot of women do not enter our industry and those who do often face a very uphill battle.

Well, it got me thinking. Passive actions are not going to resolve this in our industry, the statements of "well, I'm not sexist" or "I don't treat my female colleagues that way" "or "just ignore it, it'll go away" are not going to make big enough changes and it makes me wonder what we can do to challenge the status quo in healthy ways.
I read this article on practical ways to challenge the stereotypes and I found it thought provoking.

http://www.xojane.com/issues/feminism-m ... ical-steps

This is not about a feminist crusade, this is not about political correctness. This is about me being disappointed at the way that I see women treated in this industry both historically and currently and I want to be a part of the change. Yes, of course there are examples of women succeeding in this industry all the way to the top but you don't have to dig very far to find dozens of examples and articles about the everyday sexism experienced by those from the top all the way down to the women who have left the industry because of their experience of that sexism.

Thoughts?

[Paul Maybury]

Well said Myles.
I couldn't agree more.
Paul Maybury,
Feminist.

[gigpiglet]

solid call myles.
i didnt see any of the original post you mention
but think that this one is bang on.

[dafyd]

Very well said Myles, while owning Yorkstreet studio in fitzroy in the eighties I employed female engineers.
They were generally not egocentric, great workers and fun to be around.
Women hold up more than half the sky (there i've said it)

David Williams
PsychoSonic

[JoshuaWhitehead]

I'm sure most of these posters considered themselves not be sexist. What gets me is how adamantly defensive they get over something l don't believe they understand. I think there are a lot of men with underlying anger towards women that they barely recognise it themselves...
Music often draws the creative type with mental health issues... it's therapy to a degree. With it comes the best and worst in people.
I'm glad this topic has come up in both the facebook and TR pages.
Hopefully will get peoples minds a little more aware.
Onya Myles

[airraid]

the funny thing is the ones with mental health issues
create the best music

[mylesgm]

Hi Airraid,
That sounds like a pretty poor excuse... Sorry he's sexist but he makes great music? mmmhm.

ps. it's general policy around here to display your real name in your signature.

[mylesgm]

I'm sure most of these posters considered themselves not be sexist. What gets me is how adamantly defensive they get over something l don't believe they understand.

So true. The amount of sexist name calling that occurred while at the same time demanding that they weren't sexist was farcical. All the tired arguments came out, my personal favourite is "there is no sexism issue, I mean I never see it" um, that's because you're dude.

[Paul Maybury]

Here is an example of what we are up against.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RRiQ6t7kqs
I'm sure many males would say, "that's not sexist, it's just funny". They would be wrong. A severe case of the Nigel Tuffnels.
The music industry, and particularly music instrument and pro audio sales, is rife with this sort of shit.
Paul Maybury

[airraid]

signing in Air-raid / Kerry Leigh... I'll let you work it out mylesgm if you think I'm a sexist with a name like this

[mylesgm]

Hi air raid,
I was pointing out the forum rule of using your full name in your signature, you'll see that everybody else does.
Not calling you sexist.

[rick]

I am probably as sexist as I am racist , bigoted , narrow minded
Anti semantic , anti Muslim ,anti Christian , anyi gay . fatist and ageist

That is not so much as you would notice to call me names.
but enough to have had to work Through the stupid biases I learnt as a child ,
as I learnt more About the world and my version of the world , and all the things that make us tick
I have became a better version of me I think and hope

There is no excuse for bigotry in intelligent people
It can be over come so feel free to call the smart guys out

But what you do with the dumb f@#$s is beyond me Myles

You may or may not have noticed I banned a long time Turtlerock member from this site
Forever recently , I doubt his personal bias can ever be overcome ( anti Muslim) .
But he can try or not try to learn to do it in somebody else's sandpit

Does that make me an anti idiotist .. Or just anti anti
Probably both

[airraid]

I know you weren't Myles, I was just messing around with an issue that is close to you all is cool cheers Kerry

[dave01.cooper]

I only saw the start of that Facebook debacle but tuned out as the contradictions that were being flung around hurt my brain.
I hear about it/witness it almost every week to some regard in the live/AV field and I'd be lying if I said people get pulled up on it 100% of the time... I think it's also an issue of gender preference when it comes to employing a person. Some will flat line say 'No' to having women work beside/above them as their ego's are at stake, petty hey!

I've seen a lot more publicity for top name female engineers (studio/live) recently which I think is fantastic but again, still needs more.

A good can of worms to open

[Chris H]

Speaking of a can of worms.........

Sexism_Wages.jpg

[OPP]

It was pretty amazing the amount of sexist pricks who revealed themselves on that 'discussion'. So glad there were a small handful of decent humans there (Paul and Myles - I'm glad there's a couple people giving me faith in the audio world not being a completely disgusting male cesspit)

[audioio]

Speaking of a can of worms

Who would have thought lawyers would be the fairest!?

[genevievemaynard]

Sexism in the industry?

This is this first audio forum where I've used my full name. Usually I use a login name or my initials. I think forums are worse than the real world - the level of anonimity lets the asshats of the world show themselves while hiding behind login names. The Steinberg forum in the 90's and early 2000s was a minefield.

In the real world it's generally less overtly hostile. Generally. I've had hostility, active resistance, been ignored when speaking, laughed at, dismissed. Meh.

It does tend to make you appreciate the good guys - literally the good ones - so much more.