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A Video Conversation: Exploring How #metoo Can Be A New Way Forward, Not a Tidal Wave of Division

By Abigail Posner and Rachael McCrary

February 18, 2018

 

A few weeks back I shared my reactions to the #metoo movement. And while I wrote about how wholeheartedly supportive of it I am, I also cautioned us not to inhibit our femininity or masculinity. I urged us to embrace our bodies and celebrate our sensuality.

As promised in my last post, I am sharing the first of our video series of stimulating chats I had with my good friend and entrepreneur, Rachael McCrary, and host, Marci Weisler, CEO and Co-founder of SWSI (Smart Women. Smart Ideas.) Media. Rachael is not only a brilliant and beautiful woman but also the founder and CEO of the lingerie company, Jewel Toned Inc. Phew lots of heavy hitters, eh?

In the video we address how people we know are responding to the movement, e.g., whether they are acting differently, dressing differently or speaking differently. The discussion moves from business success to erotica. We raise the questions we're all facing around whether we can give compliments anymore or whether we have to squelch our femininity or masculinity; whether having women with power lessens or raises levels of sexual harassment; whether the paranoia around sexual harassment can some how diminish our confidence and success; and how owning our sexuality can actually empower us.

Please don't get us wrong. We are not challenging the movement in any way. Nor are we necessarily taking the position of Morning Joe host, Mika Brzezinski, who is concerned for men who could be accused and fired without due process. She was quoted in Newsweek saying: "The problem is that any woman can say anything, and that's it, it's over. Is that how we're running businesses now?" We certainly are not dismissing Brezezinkski's opinion, it's more that we are speaking about something different: our own, personal experiences, and more specifically how how to empower one another.

No matter where you stand on the issues, the only thing we truly urge for all of us is to be open to the different opinions and sides. Listen to others' points of view, concerns and ideas. Don't judge women or men until you hear what they have to say. Get the conversation going amongst your community in work or outside of it. We all are going to all have to navigate through these issues to find a better way. Just don't expect others to do it for us. It's up to us to make the change.

Have a listen and share your feedback.