RTThu, 01 Feb 2018 16:24 UTC
© Zoltan Okolicsanyi / Global Look Press
Formula 1 has decided to end its tradition of using 'grid girls', saying it was at odds with modern "societal norms." However, some of the women are now protesting on social media, saying their role was grossly misrepresented.
F1 announced the demise of the tradition in a
short statement on Wednesday. "While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 Grands Prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms. We don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world," said Sean Bratches, managing director of commercial operations.
The possibility of an F1 change of policy was announced in December.
The move came just days after a similar decision was taken by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) to end its practice of using 'walk-on girls'.
Now some women, whose current or past jobs have apparently been scrapped amid the broader heated debate over workspace sexual harassment, are venting their anger on social media. They say they have become victims of a misplaced eagerness to defend women's rights.
"Ridiculous that women who say they are 'fighting for women's rights' are saying what others should and shouldn't do, stopping us from doing a job we love and are proud to do," tweeted F1 grid girl Rebecca Cooper."Because of these feminists, they've cost us our jobs! I have been a grid girl for 8 years and I have Never felt uncomfortable!" said model Lauren-Jade Pope, with many more joining in with similar messages.
Comment: Another former grid girl, Giorgia Davies, has
hit back against the feminist outcry over grid girls and pointed out the real truth why so-called feminists went on the offensive to eliminate her well-paying job. It's worth reposting in full as it reveals a lot of what is so wrong with the feminist ideology at this point in time:
I am proud of my job.. I am respected.. I am paid well.. and I have managed to gain a professional reputation that has enabled me to make a career out of something I love.. and since falling pregnant with my first child the thought of not having such a flexible income to go back to after my maternity leave worries me.
"Feminists".. You're not defending women.. you're actually defending women who are threatened by other women who are in a career that you know absolutely nothing about other than what you see on the exterior.. and a career that we have as a woman by rights chosen to uptake. You're eradicating a career that has taken years to get to the top of believe it or not and leaving women in a position of financial loss.
That is not the true definition of what feminism stands for surely?
If I am happy to put a classy dress on, do my hair and make up, feel confident in myself and work with a team that treat me as a part of the family... why is that such a problem to you all?
You may work in an office.. you wake up and put a dress on for work because it makes you feel good about yourself also correct? And choose to go to work and enjoy your job?
Why is it any different? I'm educated.. I have a degree.. I have represented 2 counties I have lived in successfully and promoted charities and fundraising in my own time all of which a person shouldn't need to justify.. but because I stand and smile for a camera I don't deserve to have my job any more and I shouldn't be a role model to young women? We promote a healthy lifestyle we look after our bodies? Is that something to be ashamed of. Should we wear a scuba suit daily so we don't offend you because of your insecurities?
Why do you deserve to have your job still? That is your industry this is mine.. respect mine and I'll respect yours.
Oh and let's not forget the reason we are here right now.... because of some actions at an event treating women with disrespect. So why are we the ones being persecuted and penalised? Maybe educate men AND women the level of respect that HUMANS should receive and the fact that just because someone is deemed attractive and wearing a dress that doesn't mean they deserve to be treated any differently to another.
What will come next? Will you be telling rape victims it's their fault for the actions they have endured for wearing a provocative dress also.. "they brought it on themselves if you didn't wear that dress and that make up then they wouldn't have touched you." Although they are two extremely different levels.. the analogy is relevant because we would never tell someone in such an awful circumstance it was their fault because of the way they looked at the time of the incident.
So why should the incident at the presidents club be any different. They didn't ask to be touched and groped and have derogatory comments thrown at them because they chose to go to work and wear a tight dress.. the problem is not the women.. it's the individuals who feel it's acceptable to treat women in a certain manner in the first place based upon their exterior.
Comment: Another former grid girl, Giorgia Davies, has hit back against the feminist outcry over grid girls and pointed out the real truth why so-called feminists went on the offensive to eliminate her well-paying job. It's worth reposting in full as it reveals a lot of what is so wrong with the feminist ideology at this point in time: