It’s not often that we get to have honest, public discussions with a few hundred folks about intersectional feminism and activism. That’s exactly what we did at the closing keynote of the #BlogHer16 conference this past Saturday. I was honored to moderate this inspiring panel conversation about how people in the public eye can use their platform for activism. As well as about how we all can serve to be better allies to the causes that move us.
My long-term partners at Dove kicked off the panel sharing about their new campaign #MyBeautyMySay and it’s right on time for the Olympics! The media too often makes comments about female athletes and their appearance rather than focusing on their accomplishments. And have you read these headlines lately?? Now accomplished female athletes are being described by their husbands rather than their own achievements!
So leave it to our panel of bad asses to break it all down! I was joined by the incredible: Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Matt McGorry, and professional boxer Heather “The Heat” Hardy. As actors and athletes in the public eye they are also fighting for social justice – whether it’s HIV/AIDS awareness, civil rights, racial and gender equality or equal pay. They are all utilizing their privilege and public platforms to speak out.
We dug into what makes a good ally – especially to causes where you are not the predominant demographic effected (think: how to be a good white ally for Black Lives Matter) and also how to fight injustice within your own field of business (think: how to challenge sexism and racism amongst your co-workers and bosses). Not easy subjects for sure. But this panel handled it with such clarity, grace, and courage. We could have gone on for hours more. So much work still left to do. But catch up on some of the highlights below.
And remember this is a conversation that is just in its beginning stages – we have to continue to work together and have the hard conversations because #ChangeIsAWeThing.
Panel Conversation Highlights:
Hey media! Let's set the bar higher – represent us the right way. #MyBeautyMySay #BlogHer16 pic.twitter.com/7PmSoLOjv9
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
"I NEVER wanna see my daughter feel like 'I'm sorry I'm a girl.'" @HeatherHardyBox #BlogHer16 #MyBeautyMySay pic.twitter.com/J7n8J5Dapc
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
"As a white man, I have the chance to amplify the voices of those who are unheard." @MattMcGorry #BlogHer16 pic.twitter.com/fXAkc0KsTd
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
"As allies, we have to know that it's ok to do something wrong. That's how we do it better." @MattMcGorry #BlogHer16 pic.twitter.com/RPt524xU75
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
"The greatest threat isn't the KKK, it's the privileged person who doesn't take a stand." @MattMcGorry #BlogHer16 pic.twitter.com/7EnN9bDqAC
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
"I NEVER wanna see my daughter feel like 'I'm sorry I'm a girl.'" @HeatherHardyBox #BlogHer16 #MyBeautyMySay pic.twitter.com/J7n8J5Dapc
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
"A man who fights in the same ring as me will make 14-15 times more money than me." @HeatherHardyBox #BlogHer16 pic.twitter.com/yuKwLvlmRB
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
Support @HeatherHardyBox – watch her fight August 21st on @NBCSports! 9pm #BlogHer16 #MyBeautyMySay pic.twitter.com/RWuH1xXQGU
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
"We're in 2016 and only 4% of directors in our industry are African-American women." @jurneesmollett #BlogHer16 pic.twitter.com/fFJC1ktgwb
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
"I've given myself a mandate to practice what I preach. Be a walking example of truth." @jurneesmollett #BlogHer16 pic.twitter.com/84ODiruGhv
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
Support @HeatherHardyBox – watch her fight August 21st on @NBCSports! 9pm #BlogHer16 #MyBeautyMySay pic.twitter.com/RWuH1xXQGU
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
@jurneesmollett gives us her favorite activists to follow online #BlogHer16 pic.twitter.com/kts0knpCsE
— Jess Weiner (@JessWeiner) August 7, 2016
Too bad I didn’t enjoy myself.
The whole BlogHer team!