From Sabotage to Support: A New Vision for Feminist Solidarity in the Workplace

209 Pages·2019·1.222 MB·English

by  Joy L. Wiggins, Kami J. Anderson

Praise for From Sabotage to Support
“Packed with everyday wisdom and common-sense recommenda-
tions, From Sabotage to Support provides an important alternative to
our oppositional, combative social milieu. The authors offer insights,
analyses, strategies, and everyday wisdom that give us the necessary
tools to transform our workplaces into more equitable, harmonious,
inclusive spaces.”
—AnaLouise Keating, PhD, Professor and Doctoral Program Director,
Department of Multicultural Women’s and Gender Studies, Texas
Woman’s University, and Gloria Anzaldúa scholar
“From Sabotage to Support is a fantastic addition to the body of
knowledge for women (and allies) by women. This book lays down
a solid foundation for people new to feminist and womanist jour-
neys while providing immensely actionable guidance for managing
our sabotaging behaviors toward ourselves and others. The authors
thoughtfully include myriad diverse identities and movements that
define the complex human experience. This book will forever change
you, your workplace, and the way that you embrace and connect
with people.”
—Tiffany Jana, DM, CEO, TMI Portfolio, and coauthor of Overcoming
Bias and Erasing Institutional Bias
“Wiggins and Anderson have written a profound book to help us
understand the role of patriarchal systems and how we can move
from sabotage to support. This is a must-read for white women and
women of color who are interested in how we can reclaim our voice
and power and develop collaborative, authentic relationships across
racial lines and create a new reality of support.”
—Judith H. Katz, EdD, author of White Awareness, coauthor of Safe
Enough to Soar, and Executive Vice President, The Kaleel Jamison
Consulting Group, Inc.
“The timeliness of From Sabotage to Support can’t be overstated. As
an employer of a diverse group of individuals, thanks to the teachings
in this book, I am now acutely aware of how I have helped perpetu-
ate the patriarchy by rewarding workplace behaviors that originated
with a system designed by white men to benefit only them. This
book opens up a space for women to discuss how we’re unwittingly
supporting the continuation of this system. As Wiggins and Anderson
show us, we’ve been working against one another. By working to-
gether as a group, as seen in the Women’s Marches and the #MeToo
movement and outlined in this book, we have a greater opportunity
to better women’s lives when we lift each other up. The workplace
can be competitive, but it doesn’t have to be. This enlightening book
provides us with new tools to help white women recognize our privi-
lege and our bias and change the way we lead as employers and the
way we work as employees.”
—Liz Bradford, owner of Bradford Public Relations Inc.
From Sabotage to Support
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SABOTAGE
From
SUPPORT
to
A New Vision for Feminist Solidarity
in the Workplace
Joy L. Wiggins and
Kami J. Anderson
From Sabotage to Support
Copyright © 2019 by Joy L. Wiggins and Kami J. Anderson
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed,
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First Edition
Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-5230-9847-7
PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-5230-9848-4
IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-5230-9849-1
Digital audio ISBN 978-1-5230-9851-4
2019-1
Cover design: Alvaro Villanueva / Bookish Design. Cover art: Delmaine Donson/
iStock. Book interior production and design: VJB/Scribe. Copyedit: Lunaea
Weatherstone. Proofreader: Nancy Bell. Index: Sylvia Coates.
I dedicate this book to my mother, Cynthia, and my sisters,
Amy and Liz, who have been the ultimate models of woman
power, and to my daughter, Ruby, who embraces the next
generation of women leaders wholeheartedly.
— Joy
I dedicate this book to my tribe of sisters, of blood and
love, but most of all to my daughter, goddaughters, nieces,
and loves who look to us as women for models of support,
strength, and solidarity.
— Kami
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
The Path to Liberation 1
Who We Are 3
What to Expect 4
Why This Book? Why Now? 5
Smash the Patriarchy! 8
A Day in the Liberated Life! 12
Moving Forward 14
CHAPTER 1
A Brief History of Feminist Movements 17
First-Wave Feminism from 1800 to 1920 18
The Second Wave: Civil and Reproductive Rights 23
The Third Wave:
Power Feminism and the Beauty Myth 30
The Fourth Wave: Intersectionality 32
Action Steps 37
CHAPTER 2
The Pervasive Patriarchy 41
What Is Patriarchy? 42
The Effects of Socialization 45
Women in Leadership 48
200 Percent 49
Socialization and Double Consciousness:
The Other Side of the Coin 51
Action Steps 57
vii