I am going to resist the urge to actually discuss this one with you in a public forum honestly. Most of the people I know and call friend would probably find my particular stance on this issue to be very particularly cold and heartless... So I refrain.
However, let me say this... *Abuse*... True, real, actual *ABUSE* is bad. Abuse can be objectively defined, making it a "common" and accepted method of measurement.
A "Hostile Environment" is subjective, and much like my selfsame thoughts on affirmative action (oh god, another topic of debate) I don't believe in making special considerations and alterations in things just to satisfy someone by giving them a false sense of equality.
Providing this false sense of "security" and "equality" breeds a certain comfort level that should not exist, and when it comes out that the seeming "equality" and security does not in fact exist, instead it is a subjective construct enforced on unwilling participants, we would find that the hate and inequality will raise it's head and become much, much worse, and in the end, violent.
That all said (if anyone could follow that) I am also of the opinion that 98% of "hostile" work environments are not in reality, truly hostile, it's a matter of people (women, men, etc) not having enough of a bloody backbone and a thick enough skin. Does this mean people should feel free to insult and deride? No.
I can find offense and hate, racism and sexism in nearly ANY statement and act... But I don't, because I have enough of a spine, and a big enough brain to realize most people aren't insinuating something everytime they speak. The spine comes in when someone does unwittingly and unknowingly insults me... I brush it off because I can't let the small shit bother me.
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timeasmymeasure
Hrm
Date: 2002-11-26 02:08 pm (UTC)However, let me say this... *Abuse*... True, real, actual *ABUSE* is bad. Abuse can be objectively defined, making it a "common" and accepted method of measurement.
A "Hostile Environment" is subjective, and much like my selfsame thoughts on affirmative action (oh god, another topic of debate) I don't believe in making special considerations and alterations in things just to satisfy someone by giving them a false sense of equality.
Providing this false sense of "security" and "equality" breeds a certain comfort level that should not exist, and when it comes out that the seeming "equality" and security does not in fact exist, instead it is a subjective construct enforced on unwilling participants, we would find that the hate and inequality will raise it's head and become much, much worse, and in the end, violent.
That all said (if anyone could follow that) I am also of the opinion that 98% of "hostile" work environments are not in reality, truly hostile, it's a matter of people (women, men, etc) not having enough of a bloody backbone and a thick enough skin. Does this mean people should feel free to insult and deride? No.
I can find offense and hate, racism and sexism in nearly ANY statement and act... But I don't, because I have enough of a spine, and a big enough brain to realize most people aren't insinuating something everytime they speak. The spine comes in when someone does unwittingly and unknowingly insults me... I brush it off because I can't let the small shit bother me.