International Women's Day - The Struggle Continues
However, I am not feeling celebratory. Somehow, in my world, feminist has become a negative word. Everyone I used to know defined themselves as a feminist. This included males. We were all feminists which meant believing in the equality of the sexes. Three years ago, we elected a man as Prime Minister of this great country of Canada who described himself as Feminist-in-Chief. Over the past couple of weeks, he has lost the moral authority to refer himself as that.
The best way we can continue to celebrate International Women's Day is to speak up when we see an issue that needs our attention. We need to live louder. I can't ask people to do this unless I am willing to do this myself.
I have ranted before that the poker room is often the last bastion of misogyny. People roll their eyes at this and they are tired of hearing this. Also, people will say if it bothers you, you don't have to play because participation is voluntary. True. But, I belong in a class of people that is protected from discrimination by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If I chose to play, then, it is not my responsibility to ensure the environment doesn't affect my rights as a woman. It is arguable how well the management does to protect these rights and if they create an environment that is comfortable for all women. I guess it must since there are still women playing, but, we are the minority. In some respects, we have it pretty good. In almost every venue, there are huge line-ups in the women's washroom. Not in the poker room. It is more than a washroom to us, it is our office.
It is in this office where we share information. This is the part where I am going to live louder in honour of International Women's Day. About a week ago, I heard a rumour. A rumour about a male poker players being banned from the room for a year for some untoward contact with a female. It was a rumour and I shouldn't believe rumours but this seemed credible. The male in question had several bans on his poker resume. I personally witnessed a time when he was removed from the casino. Casino security was not successful and several members of the Winnipeg Police Service were called to assist.
First of all, what a waste of police resources. Winnipeg has a dubious distinction of having several missing and murdered Indigenous Women. This is something that needs on-going police attention. I realize the police do an outstanding job, however, they should not be required to attend to a casino to address the actions of petulant man-child.
So, even though I do like this petulant man-child, I don't have rose coloured glasses on and I know his struggles. It seemed very credible that this story was true and the ban was appropriate. Then, remarkably, less than a week later, he was back. Again, rumour has it that he met with management and it became a he said/she said so the ban was removed.
I realize there are a lot of things I don't know and I am just speculating about this. One thing that I am hoping is that the government agency that is known as Liquor and Lotteries is still investigating this matter and it is still pending. This also might be appropriate to refer to the Police.
Whatever it is, I am disappointed. This is why we still reflect on International Women's Day. This is why we still have ways to go before we achieve equality.
One thing that I have learned when it is a he said/she said, it never is that. It is usually:
she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, he said. An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. It sounds like what we need is some brave feminist males to speak up in this situation.
#LetHerSpeak
#Persist
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