[Trigger warning: topics of discussion include harassment, sexual assault, discrimination and physical violence]
Let’s be real, things are nuts. We’re all mentally drained and being challenged on so many levels right now. I was attempting to take my own mental health break the other day - an outdoor walk - and it was interrupted by two men cat calling me from their car. A few weeks ago, a man pulled over in his car to ask to take my photo for his portfolio. And so back to reality. There are no breaks. Every day women have their guard up because harassment, discrimination and assault are very real scenarios that we have to constantly think about. Whether it’s remembering to put pepper spray in your jacket pocket before leaving the house, holding your house key between your index and middle finger walking to your car, or pretending that you can’t hear through your headphones when you’re being cat-called crossing the street, we’re in survival mode. While at work, at the gym, or running errands - even a quick stop by the grocery store - we have to think about all the possible situations that can arise. We have to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. This is why I am an extremely fast walker, not just because I have long legs but I just want to get to where I need to be as quickly as I can with as little confrontation as possible. This past year, I’ve thought more and more about my own personal anxiety. Was it something that happened in my childhood? Was it the constant competition that my old corporate life embedded in me? Was it choosing more male dominated careers to pursue? Was it something to do with a past relationship that made me feel like I wasn’t good enough? It’s possible, all these things could be factors but really what it comes down to is that I am a woman, and as a woman you have to be on guard. As much as I’ve been trying to find the root of my anxiousness and try remedies - therapy, running, boxing, CBD, meditation and getting my hands in the dirt at the local farm I work with, I’ve come to terms that nothing will stop my anxiousness when we live in a world where there is a constant war on women. So I have finally come to the realization that I need to funnel that energy into doing what I can to make this world better while also understanding that change won’t happen over night. It’s a collective team effort and long-term work.
So what’s next then? Well, we need to dismantle the patriarchy, white supremacy and colonialism. Seriously. We need to see a better, safer and more inclusive world, and take action to make that happen. We have to be proactive vs. reactive. DO BETTER, BE BETTER. Male allies, where are you at? How you can help.
This is why the Brave Noise initiative and collab is so important. The mission is to create real action to end harassment and discrimination in the workplace by asking companies to be transparent with employees and customers. We want to see the work and the receipts! By this initiative being consumer facing, the hope is that it becomes a way to educate and have important conversations within the community and inspires others to do the same in their everyday life and workplaces. If we can make changes in the brewing industry, it can be a domino effect in hospitality, other industries and who knows maybe even society in general.
A friendly reminder that the collab is also open to ALL ALCOHOL and NON-ALCOHOLIC-related beverage businesses so learn more and get involved at BraveNoiseBeer.com.
How to Support Survivors and How to Heal From Past Trauma:
In May 2021, Dr. Colleen Cira reached out to WOTB after seeing the flood of stories being shared by Brienne Allan @RatMagnet and offered to provide mental health resources and advice on how to best support survivors. At the time of my conversation with Dr. Cira, I had been speaking with a few women who had mentioned to me that they felt their stories didn't seem important enough to share in comparison to the stories that had been posted. I knew I needed an expert to provide some guidance on navigating situations like this rather than me yelling "FUCK YES YOUR STORY IS IMPORTANT. SHARE IT!" Please read our conversation below about how to support survivors; how to process past trauma and its affect on physical and mental health; and how to get help.
Healing is our right and necessary for our wellbeing and one of the most powerful ways we can heal (and buck this fucked up system at the same time) is by speaking out and supporting each other as survivors. - Dr. Colleen Cira
Through the Bevolution Brave Voices Fund, this financial aid program is meant to help those in the brewing / alcohol industry leave toxic workplaces and receive the necessary means in order to move forward. Learn more about the fund and help us spread the word here. We also have a merch fundraiser where a percentage of funds will go the Bevolution Brave Voices Fund, you can get your Antisexist Antiracist Proequality merch and support our cause here.
We need insights to continue our mission. Hospitality industry staff, we need to hear from you. We have partnered with a non-profit data insights partner, Speak Out Revolution, to conduct a global survey. You can learn more and fill out the survey here.
Mental health support / resources in the hospitality industry are hard to find. An organization looking to change that called Infinite Ingredient is currently fundraising in order to provide access to mental health resources for craft beverage industry professionals. Learn more and get involved at https://www.infiniteingredient.org
CURRENT READS:
White Supremacy and the Hospitality Industry via @TheChaadProject (originally found via Ren Navarro of Beer Diversity’s IG @DoBetter_BeBetter)
Disaster Patriarchy: How the Pandemic has Released a War on Women
Making Spaces Safer by Shawna Potter * Everyone should read this book
How to Respond to Street Harassment via Hollaback!
Manifesting a Better Beer Year in 2022 via Courtney Iseman’s Hugging the Bar
Craft Beer’s No Good, Very Bad Year via Dave Infante for Vinepair
Pellicle’s 19 People Who Will Shape Beer, Wine, Cider and Food in 2022
Good Beer Hunting’s 2021 Signifiers
Imbibe Magazine’s 75 People to Watch
WOMEN OF THE BEVOLUTION POSTS:
FOLLOW:
UPCOMING WEBINARS:
Active Bystander Training with Safe Bar Network
Thursday, January 27th at 10am PST/1pm EST/6pm GMT
The HR Policies You Need with HRuprise (Alcohol Businesses Edition)
Wednesday, February 2 at 11am PST / 2pm EST / 7pm GMT
Thank you for subscribing to The Bevolution! Please follow along for updates on our Instagram @WomenoftheBevolution, Facebook and find additional resources and blog posts at WomenoftheBevolution.com. To donate to Women of the Bevolution, you can do so through Paypal here.