Read on Twitter
It
Was
Never
~Just~
About
Ponytails
Was
Never
~Just~
About
Ponytails
Let's unpack this as constructively as possible.
The Good:
Breastfeeding accommodations
Hairstyle accommodations
Removing racist language
No minimum hair lengths for women
The Bad:
This goddamn man panel
"Females/Female Soldiers"
"Jazz it up"
Nearly no male accommodations
The Good:
Breastfeeding accommodations
Hairstyle accommodations
Removing racist language
No minimum hair lengths for women
The Bad:
This goddamn man panel
"Females/Female Soldiers"
"Jazz it up"
Nearly no male accommodations
The meh:
Nail polish
Lipstick
Earrings
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Nail polish
Lipstick
Earrings
Shoulder sleeve insignia
I feel this was a wasted opportunity and frankly I am wholly disappointed.
We've been doing the COVID quarantine thing for upwards of 10 months, leveraging all kinds of tech to facilitate operations at all echelons, but for something as important as sweeping org change,
We've been doing the COVID quarantine thing for upwards of 10 months, leveraging all kinds of tech to facilitate operations at all echelons, but for something as important as sweeping org change,
We elected to hit the easy button and opt for a selected panel of people to make decisions for the hundreds of thousands of people who are part of this organization.
A panel featuring no trans servicemembers. No junior enlisted servicemembers. No lieutenants. No junior warrants.
A panel featuring no trans servicemembers. No junior enlisted servicemembers. No lieutenants. No junior warrants.
We had a stage full of cis men as a physical representation that the agents & gatekeepers of change are still men.
Men who will piecemeal change incrementally as it is convenient and appropriate to their sensibilities.
Men who smirked at the notion of hair dye being a topic.
Men who will piecemeal change incrementally as it is convenient and appropriate to their sensibilities.
Men who smirked at the notion of hair dye being a topic.
I've seen some great leader engagement on social media wrt TIMS, SHARP, EO, EEO, & the FHIRC. I thought I was seeing great engagement wrt these policy changes too. But a panel feels like we're doing a cha-cha. One step forward, two steps back.
Earlier this year the Army sent a survey out to woman servicemembers about sportsbras. We all had the opportunity to weigh in on an issue that can be fixed for the good of the next crop of Soldiers and leaders, and we could do it independently & know our responses were received.
Using language like "emotionally charged" to talk about changes that will affect women plays into a harmful notion that women are inherently emotional. It makes our combat arms sisters have to internalize BS & second guess their responses so they don't enforce these notions.
It makes women in the service feel pressure to be more stoic & less vulnerable and inhibits our ability to be authentic leaders.
So it might have been an off the cuff comment but it has lasting implications and must not be dismissed.
We're not emotional, we're passionate.
So it might have been an off the cuff comment but it has lasting implications and must not be dismissed.
We're not emotional, we're passionate.
Ponytails are not "nice to haves."
This modernization of doctrine was a "need to have," and for me personally, earrings, lipstick, and nail polish are aesthetic "nice to haves" that don't have any effect on my ability to safely & successfully put in the work every day.
This modernization of doctrine was a "need to have," and for me personally, earrings, lipstick, and nail polish are aesthetic "nice to haves" that don't have any effect on my ability to safely & successfully put in the work every day.
It was a good thing to remove racist language in our doctrine.
I am concerned about the implications of what "professional" lipstick and nail polish looks like, and I am concerned that, statistically, this will overwhelmingly negatively affect POC the most.
I am concerned about the implications of what "professional" lipstick and nail polish looks like, and I am concerned that, statistically, this will overwhelmingly negatively affect POC the most.
We update our uniforms and their patterns every decade or so, at great cost to the taxpayer. Implementing hair and grooming standards would tangibly save us money. Fewer VA disability claims for traction alopecia, fewer visits to healthcare professionals for skin conditions.
We make religious and medical accommodations for facial hair which requires a full paper drill and the involvement of our already overworked medical service branch. These exemptions are often met with resistance at unit level, ostracism, and occasionally the assumption that
These men are dirtbag Soldiers.
To remove that spotlight and provide full inclusion, why not make the exemption the rule? Why not look at a common sense compromise on facial hair so men in our formation don't have to tear their skin up & deal with issues their entire service?
To remove that spotlight and provide full inclusion, why not make the exemption the rule? Why not look at a common sense compromise on facial hair so men in our formation don't have to tear their skin up & deal with issues their entire service?
Speaking of inclusion and exemptions and spotlights, we ~must~ discuss how these policies affect our trans brothers, sisters, and nonbinary servicemembers.
With the current state of our standards, trans servicemembers seemingly have to out themselves to their leadership as they start presenting the way they see fit for their affirmed gender.
But WHY is this even necessary?
But WHY is this even necessary?
We have men and women in all Army branches in all Army jobs, doing their thing and putting in the work.
Long hair hasn't affected that. Makeup hasn't affected that. Our profession of arms has continued unharmed. Our combat operations have continued unaffected(even in a pandemic)
Long hair hasn't affected that. Makeup hasn't affected that. Our profession of arms has continued unharmed. Our combat operations have continued unaffected(even in a pandemic)
So someone is going to have to explain it to me like I'm 5 why men cannot present their maleness as they see fit.
Why they cannot have long hair.
Why they cannot have earrings.
Why they cannot wear "professional" makeup and nail polish.
Gender roles are changing.
Why they cannot have long hair.
Why they cannot have earrings.
Why they cannot wear "professional" makeup and nail polish.
Gender roles are changing.
We have women in senior leader positions. Men exiting the force to be homemakers. Women on fucking TANKS. Openly gay GOs. Dual military couples at the highest lvls.
If we aren't willing to be agents of change, what are we even doing? Are we being leaders? Are we walking the talk?
If we aren't willing to be agents of change, what are we even doing? Are we being leaders? Are we walking the talk?
Why is it a no brainer to modernize our fleet LIKE YESTERDAY but we should be satisfied and GRATEFUL for the scraps of incremental, overdue change?
(Change, by the way, that the other mil branches seem to have figured out but is still like pulling hen's teeth for the Army)
(Change, by the way, that the other mil branches seem to have figured out but is still like pulling hen's teeth for the Army)
And with that, I am BEGGING the women in this organization who don't think this is a big deal to do some introspection and ask why your internalized misogyny & privilege is showing.
It isn't an issue TO YOU but it does affect SOME OF US and ENOUGH OF US for there to be discussion
It isn't an issue TO YOU but it does affect SOME OF US and ENOUGH OF US for there to be discussion
Please know that the approval you get from your male peers is superficial, fleeting, and will never truly make you one of the boys.
I know, I've been there. Internalized misogyny & racism is a biiitch to unlearn but GIRL. We need you to put in the work. For the benefit of every1.
I know, I've been there. Internalized misogyny & racism is a biiitch to unlearn but GIRL. We need you to put in the work. For the benefit of every1.
It is frankly embarrassing that there are men tonight enthusiastically patting themselves on the back for giving TeH LaYdEeZ their precious earrings and ponytails.
The bar is on the ground.
We need more. We need better. Men, women, and nonbinary servicemembers deserve leaders.
The bar is on the ground.
We need more. We need better. Men, women, and nonbinary servicemembers deserve leaders.
So let's get to it.
Let's come to the table and have a conversation where every demographic has a voice and isn't going to be shouted down for wanting change.
We owe it to the Soldiers and to the ones who will come after them.
Let's walk the talk and stop checking blocks.
Let's come to the table and have a conversation where every demographic has a voice and isn't going to be shouted down for wanting change.
We owe it to the Soldiers and to the ones who will come after them.
Let's walk the talk and stop checking blocks.
