I am so sick of this angle too. We fight for the most basic of benefits and then we don't use them. And I understand why. There is a lot of pressure from around us and ourselves to constantly work and prove our worth out of (very legit) fear that we'll get fired, let go, boxed out of promotions and top projects if we don't. And just because discrimination isn't legal it happens all the time. Just like every other bigotry that technically isn't legal to use in hiring and firing decisions as well.
Also I have a pin from Black Girl Hockey Club that says “black women aren’t your superheroes” - you made a great point on her message to her predominantly black athletes; thanks for that added perspective to this piece. I’ve definitely seen that toxic mentality with injuries in hockey.
THANK YOU FOR THIS. The way my eyes rolled all the way back with every one of those articles. (And the way my whole body hurt just watching that game and all the walking, pacing, coaching, sitting, talking, etc.) I want to try to respect her decision to come back as her decision (and hopefully not an obligation), AND literally even one comment to acknowledge that this isn't normal, shouldn't be a model for anyone else, how hard it is on the body, etc. would have gone a long way.
Adding my thanks for writing this and highlighting the fact that Caldwell reinforces a harmful model with her swift return to work. Yikes, yikes, yikes.
Thank you for this! I have been wondering the same thing and appreciate your take!!
I am so sick of this angle too. We fight for the most basic of benefits and then we don't use them. And I understand why. There is a lot of pressure from around us and ourselves to constantly work and prove our worth out of (very legit) fear that we'll get fired, let go, boxed out of promotions and top projects if we don't. And just because discrimination isn't legal it happens all the time. Just like every other bigotry that technically isn't legal to use in hiring and firing decisions as well.
So frustrating.
Yes thank you! I hate this narrative so much.
Also I have a pin from Black Girl Hockey Club that says “black women aren’t your superheroes” - you made a great point on her message to her predominantly black athletes; thanks for that added perspective to this piece. I’ve definitely seen that toxic mentality with injuries in hockey.
THANK YOU FOR THIS. The way my eyes rolled all the way back with every one of those articles. (And the way my whole body hurt just watching that game and all the walking, pacing, coaching, sitting, talking, etc.) I want to try to respect her decision to come back as her decision (and hopefully not an obligation), AND literally even one comment to acknowledge that this isn't normal, shouldn't be a model for anyone else, how hard it is on the body, etc. would have gone a long way.
Thanks for saying this! I had the same thought yesterday when I was reading the ‘wonder woman’ headlines. Let bodies heal!!
Thanks for this. I felt like such a hater when I said "this sucks". Sports does this so much with injury and illness. I HATE it so much.
Such a great piece! Thanks, Frankie, for always keeping it real.
THANK YOU I've been thinking the exact same!
Adding my thanks for writing this and highlighting the fact that Caldwell reinforces a harmful model with her swift return to work. Yikes, yikes, yikes.
You're in no position to "promise" that it's okay to take maternity leave when women are routinely disadvantaged for doing so.
💯💯💯💯💯