When student Azita Rahman received a deserved promotion at work, she also received a text message from a male coworker who tried to pass his sexism as “honesty.”
“No offense but you really don’t deserve that promotion,” he texted, as reported by Refinery29.
“I work my ass off and I bring her coffee every day….you’re too emotional in your decision making. I’m not sexist but this position really is better suited for a man. Men are better with numbers, we make better accountants. You’d be a lot more successful as a secretary. Don’t get offended I’m just being honest.”
There are a couple of interesting – to say the least – points about the text Rahman’s coworker sent. First, as noted by Refinery29, “A number of studies have shown that girls and women aren’t actually worse at math than boys and men. However, social and cultural norms…do have an impact, leading to girls believing they are worse at math and science, and eventually steering clear of those subjects.”
Secondly, not only do this coworker’s words speak volumes about his archaic regard for women, but it’s also comedic that he said Rahman is “too emotional” in her decision making when the decision to send such a messy text clearly came from his own emotional outburst, Refinery29 aptly mentions.
Rahman’s response to this message not only put the man in his place, but also used his own logic against him.
“See the difference between you and me in the workplace is that while you’re spending all your time sitting on your white ass, texting me shit like this, acting like you’re entitled to everything in the world and waiving off hard work just because you’re a man — I’m **surprise** actually working hard and getting ‘your’ promotions.” Rahman texted.
“You can say whatever you want but at the end of the day, our male boss used your so-called superior decision making skills to promote…me. Not you. I’m sorry your genitals and skin color didn’t workout in your favor this time. Maybe next promotion! Until then, your analysis report is due tomorrow. See you then.”
Keep up the good work on making strides in your workplace, Azita – and as your coworker’s text should have instead read: congratulations on your promotion.
Featured Image by Marco Verch on Flickr
Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
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