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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Barrister claiming sexism after Linked-In message

429 replies

Flashbangandgone · 10/09/2015 14:20

AIBU to think she's overreacting somewhat... I'm not sure so I thought I'd check out views on here:

www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34206080/linkedin-sexism-row-charlotte-proudman-says-lawyer-used-site-like-tinder

She is clearly very attractive, and she has clearly gone to some trouble to post a photo that emphasises that. If a man compliments her for that, albeit rather clumsily, but nonetheless not in any lewd or crude manner, is that sexist or just a man gently flirting in the hope of a positive response?

If something as relatively innocuous as this appears to be is vilified as sexism, what are the boundaries for men flirting in a work-place environment without risking being charged with sexism? I wonder if her response would have been different if she had been single and she happenned to be attracted to the man making those remarks...

I've a feeling this might be controversial....

OP posts:
thenewbroom · 13/09/2015 10:32

How can you compare an inappropriate compliment with covering up child sexual abuse?

Egosumquisum · 13/09/2015 10:36

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ALassUnparalleled · 13/09/2015 10:54

It's interesting how people against CP's actions can't agree on whether she has damaged her career or advancing it by means of publicity

If she were just one of the many, many ordinary, run of the mill barristers dependent on getting instructions on ordinary , run of the mill, commercial or matrimonial work from solicitors then probably yes.

As she is in Michael Mansfield's chambers, has already built up a media profile with journalism and radio appearances , then probably no.

larrygrylls · 13/09/2015 11:55

'Do people think no one should name and shame because "we all get things wrong, better to sort it out quietly, have a little chat, don't bother rocking the apple cart" or should people name and shame about issues they feel strongly about?

It sounds a bit gentleman's club. Don't make a fuss, we'll sort it out nice and quietly, have a little word. But it continues. Isn't that what the Catholic Church did?

If no one stands up for what they think is right, discrimination continues. Lessons will hopefully be learnt from this.

The lesson women have learnt is speak up and face abuse from the media
What lesson have men learnt? Those men who think it's acceptable to behave like the man here.'

I think it depends what behaviour is being 'called out'. If Carter-Silk had been abusive or overly sexual in his message, I think he would have been condemned very harshly. Life is a spectrum and making things always black and white is not helpful. Real life includes degrees of right and wrong and a narrative around these. If everyone who makes a casual inappropriate comment without thinking (and we have ALL done it) is named and shamed, it would be very hard to have normal human interactions.

ALassUnparalleled · 13/09/2015 12:40

Parents at a school did not want me there as a trans teacher. Should I have just shut up and accepted it - or gone public? There would have been career ramifications. I shut up and prejudice goes on

Ego - that is awful. I don't think you have mentioned that before. I agree with Larry that is an employment issue and there are routes to follow to address it and I hope you did , or if not then , do , if this happens again.

I don't see the situation with Proudman as analogous.

Egosumquisum · 13/09/2015 12:56

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laureywilliams · 13/09/2015 13:41

I do hope she helps female layers (and any profession) in linked in get more professional exchanges with male counterparts. It's good that men and women think more carefully about appropriateness withing

Totally agree with this Lweji.

laureywilliams · 13/09/2015 13:51

evilcherub

Why post a photo at all on Linked-in?

I don't think anyone answered this question.

Not having a photo can make you look as if you have something to hide.

It's useful to confirm you have the right person if you've met them and want to connect but they have a common name (and so they know who you are too).

If you're meeting someone for the first time either as a colleague or client its nice to be able to recognise them straight away.

Just a few reasons hth.

And of course its just one photo, so all in all there is little overlap with the reasons people post photos on fb and what they expect to see in the comments.

ALassUnparalleled · 13/09/2015 14:26

If you don't have a photo it looks as if you don't know how to use the site. There is a grey blob where the photo should be. Some people get round this by using company logos or trademarks or university coats of arms or similar.

Itsmine · 13/09/2015 14:48

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Lweji · 13/09/2015 14:59

She didn't make such a fuss.
The media are.

Itsmine · 13/09/2015 15:09

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EnthusiasmDisturbed · 13/09/2015 15:11

Does the media report everything she puts on twitter ?

Itsmine · 13/09/2015 15:18

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EnthusiasmDisturbed · 13/09/2015 15:28

Ok so women once again stfu you have no right to complain and make a stand and voice your concerns-anger/upset because if it goes viral the misogynist areas of the press will try their best to bring you down

Well Charlotte Proudman won't stfu and neither should other women through fear of being silenced by powers that want them to

Itsmine · 13/09/2015 15:45

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Lweji · 13/09/2015 15:53

What a waste of a media shitstorm.

Well, maybe you should complain to the media about it, not put it on her door.

For some reason some papers have taken the trouble to use loads of space on it, insult her feminism and investigate her family and fb history.
I wonder why.

Egosumquisum · 13/09/2015 16:19

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EnthusiasmDisturbed · 13/09/2015 16:20

It is not though because we are still talking about it

The voices supporting her are being heard

Egosumquisum · 13/09/2015 16:26

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EnthusiasmDisturbed · 13/09/2015 16:29

Of course there will

But the message is getting across sadly some will always put obstacles in the way

Itsmine · 13/09/2015 16:34

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BoffinMum · 13/09/2015 16:35

Well, when I have stood up in public about particular feminist-related issues, nobody has had a go at me in the media, but then again I pick more clearly defined battles.

Egosumquisum · 13/09/2015 16:37

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InimitableJeeves · 13/09/2015 17:05

lwe she initiated the whole palaver, knowing the media would leap on it.

How did she know? There are millions of messages put on twitter every day. Unless the tweeter is well known, there is no way they can know what the media will or will not choose to leap on.