Today I found out another petty man has prevented me from political advancement. Advancement that I am well due because of years of labor I have put into a particular campaign, practically free of charge (full disclosure: I was a paid employee just for a short 1.5 month stint back in 2016).
It is the same man who prevented me from being appointed to a similar role back in 2016, I assume because I am just a “nobody” who won’t kiss his ring. He’s right: I don’t believe in blind loyalty. I am interested in working hard and doing the right thing to push policies and systems that benefit people. I am interested in expanding democracy so it is more fair and inclusive — not juking the system to promote my friends and cronies.
This mentality I have does not get you far in politics, particularly if you are a woman.
It is pervasive how often a man will keep a female colleague back for this reason or that reason. A reason as small as one semi-powerful man not “liking” you, can prevent you from moving forward for an entire career. And in the “he said/she said” routine, in my experience, those involved almost always defer to what “he said.”
So ready for the patriarchy to end…