By Gabby Potts. Such a simple word; yet it holds a tremendous amount of power. Within the English language there are numerous words designed to shame women for their sexual promiscuity, or simply reduce their confidence, self-worth and credibility in the space of a syllable.
Speaker John Bercow set an example of directly addressing a display of colloquial sexism that took place within the House of Commons.
A year on, it is important we remember how Mr. Bercow swiftly and effectively challenged blatant yet colloquial sexism, and consider how we can do the same in our daily lives. I had never met him before β he was someone my brother knew, sat in a group of about five guys in the kitchen. Yet, the confidence with which this boy said those words caught my attention, and I immediately felt uncomfortable.
I remember my brother looking across to me embarrassed and apologetic, but saying nothing. The boy looked up at me; clearly shocked and a little confused. Immediately his body language changed and he became defensive, even screwing up his face and raising his shoulders a little as he angled his body towards me.
He looked at me and blushed slightly before muttering some form of response and turning his back to me. Now, I have no false sense of achievement here β calling the boy out on one sexual slur he used will not have magically changed the misogynistic outlook developed over the course of 17 years at once. But importantly, it did make him stop and think about what he said, why he was saying it and whether it was justified which in my opinion, obviously, it was not.
