Fighting sexism with silence is not a good strategy.
A @razvanelulmarin gym tale.
That day @Razvanelulmarin was just minding his own business, resting after a hard set. He wants to get swole as f%$^% so he works hard. But let's not get distracted here.
This story is about a redneck.
It's also about speaking up against boorish behavior.
The Redneck appears at the horizon of the cardio zone. He wears a tank top, what Americans call a "wife-beater", that show off his bulk. He is 40lbs too fat and balding but you can be sure by the way he walks around with his chest out he thinks he's hot stuff. He has a constant smirk on his face.
Worth saying that he is 5'5'.
Razvanelul had seen him around, always doing his curls and talking loudly. He's a -regular- at this gym and while they never talked, the guy did help him out once. It made him think that sometimes it's better to do things by yourself than suffer the sight of that disgusted face for 10 seconds.
In a word, the guy is scum.
Now that the stage is set, let's see what happens.
The redneck proceeds to the weights area and right then SHE walks by and jump on a treadmill.
--< what , wait, how , who's she?!! >---
Patience! R [ short for razvanelul ] doesn't know at that point. He doesn't particularly care as he is about to start a new heavy squat set. That's when the Redneck opens his piehole.
"What a piece of ass on that chick, huh?" he says looking at R like they're friends or something.
R is now surprised that the redneck seems to address him as it was a first. He says nothing.
"Oh, just right" he continues and makes the international cupping the butt sign.
SHE
She is a fit girl at the gym. She is dressed, as women do, in legging and t-shirt. She is very defined, looks like someone who does a lot of sport and yes, she is attractive. She also looks like she is there to work out and get the hell out - headset on, focused.
What R should have done:
What R did was staring somewhat weirdly at the guy and snort/chuckle make a weird acknowledging sound.
THAT WAS A MISTAKE!!!
By not saying something he signaled that it was ok. The silence makes accomplies of us all. It was a sad day for R.
R was thinking " This is why women don't feel alright at the gym. That's why we can't have nice things!!" but said nothing.
SHE didn't hear anything but I'm sure she noticed some lewd and inappropriate looks.
The day moved on.
Another chance to fight this kind of behavior lost.
R had a good workout but still went home defeated.
There will be a new opportunity.
You might be Razvanelul yourself one day and if so...
DO SOMETHING!
the end.
If you want to read more gym tales, tell me and I might deliver.
Enjoy :)
Silence is tacit acquiescence now isn't it. That's why they always ask before the ring goes on the finger "speak now or forever hold your peace (if you disagree now say something because if not we're ruling that everyone is in agreement of the obligations and terms and conditions of the contract)".
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true that.
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You should s write ma]ore stuff which brings out your humor. You are a funny guy and I want to see that!
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Thanks! I think the humor comes and goes with the story. If there's a funny thing to write it would come out more :) but thanks for the good thoughts!!
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You're right. But some guys like that don't really learn anyway. Nice story.
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don't i know it...
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Imi place! :D Yes I like your story.
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cool. welcome to steemit/bine te-=am gasit :)
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Can I ask you when did you joined here?(ca mi se pare ca mai mult de 10 pers nu intra la mine pe blog)
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While I find the "redneck's" behavior boorish, embarrassing and inappropriate there really isn't anything that can be done. Last time I checked there aren't any oodling and/or inappropriate comment laws in this country (I gather you are in the US). Unfortunately there is that percentage of the population that will always make your eyes roll. Be thankful that we live in a place that still (or at least for the moment) that allows for all expressions of thought and expression. Now if he actually harassed her that is a wholly different story.
The reason we need freedom of speech is not to protect popular speech but to protect unpopular speech.
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And, to agree with you. YES, it ws my right to say he is an asshole too, right? Or to say that this kind of comments are disgusting and to vent his frustration somewhere else.
All I'm saying, and sincerely it's a funny story not meant to be moralistic is that as society will respond to this kind of comment, they will die out. Even assholes feel shame. Right now, they feel good about it.
It is not about freedom of speech, it's about creating a comfortable space for everyone to feel good in.
I don't care that you're horny and would "totally hit that yeah woo hoo", just don't vocalize this.
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Okay not from US, cool.
Anyway, absolutely your right to call him an asshole. On that point I heartily agree but I think you missed my point about unpopular speech. If only popular speech were allowed everybody would lose freedom. That is how totalitarian governments operate and/or begin. And it doesn't begin with larger issues. It is called the slippery slope. Once you start not allowing smaller issues of free speech the people lose a little more freedom. Even "common sense" measures of suppressing speech is a terrible idea because once you start restricting speech for the good of the people it's hard to stop and before you know it more and more speech is restricted. That is why all forms of speech should be protected. The good, bad and ugly.
Safe spaces, etc are in essence restricting speech and can lead to more restrictions of speech and thought.
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Well, I don;'t know that I did. I understood your point and sincerely agree with it.
You can say that Trump is good for example I won't hit you.
But calling someone an asshole, faggot, nigger are this OK now so we don't stump the feeble freedome of speech? I don't think so.
Those words are on their way out. Is this an example of totalitarianism?
I think not, it's an example of a society regulating itself.
That's my point I guess.
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And that's the problem. You call freedom of speech, feeble. It is one of the precious thing a most things people can have. Should people say the above words, no. But they should have every right to. Whats next, dick, queer and black? And while we are at it you are no longer to express views that you local government find distasteful and if not you will be taken to your local re-education centers, gulags and concentration camps circa the Soviets, Nazis and North Koreans.
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Hello! Nice to meet you here. i like your introduce , @razvanelulmarin
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Write More
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thanks?!
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