Guest Eric Deggans discusses bullying at work, in Hollywood, and within our society. The episode explores the origins of the term 'race bader' and the challenges faced by working class actors in Hollywood. It also highlights the importance of building structures against bias and pushing back against misinformation for progress.
Creating negative consequences is essential to stop bullying.
Leaders in Hollywood need to prioritize employee well-being and safety to combat toxic culture.
Deep dives
The Power of Bullying in the Workplace
The podcast episode discusses the issue of bullying in the workplace and its impact on individuals and company culture. It explores how bullying is often masked as bias or prejudice, but is fundamentally about being mean to others. The conversation highlights the importance of distinguishing between bias, prejudice, and bullying, as they are separate concepts. It emphasizes that bullying is actively trying to hurt someone and requires a different approach to address. The episode emphasizes the role of leaders in creating a culture that discourages bullying, including the need for consequences for bullies and promoting a safe and respectful work environment.
The Influence of Toxicity in Hollywood
The podcast delves into the toxic culture prevalent in Hollywood, particularly focusing on work environments in the entertainment industry. It sheds light on the abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation that individuals experience in this field. The conversation highlights the power dynamics in Hollywood, with leaders often contributing to or condoning toxic behaviors. It discusses the need for leaders to take responsibility and create policies and structures that prioritize employee well-being and safety. The episode emphasizes the importance of dismantling the perception that toxicity is necessary for creative success and promoting a culture of respect, collaboration, and fairness.
The Impact of Identity Politics and Media Manipulation
The podcast touches upon the concept of identity politics and how it has been co-opted and manipulated for political gain. It explores how politicians use issues related to identity, such as race and gender, to divide people and mobilize their base. The discussion highlights the challenge of finding compromise when these issues become deeply ingrained in individuals' identities. The episode also addresses the impact of misinformation, disinformation, and media manipulation, particularly in creating a climate where truth and facts are disregarded. It reflects on the importance of promoting critical thinking, assessing reliable sources, and reaffirming the value of truthful and accurate information.
The Journey towards Solidarity and Progress
The podcast episode ends on a hopeful note, expressing a belief in the ongoing fight for progress and solidarity. It acknowledges the challenges and setbacks faced, particularly in combating racism, prejudice, and systemic oppression. The discussion underscores the importance of perseverance and continued efforts to bring about meaningful change. It suggests that reaching a tipping point may be imminent, where the power of misinformation and disinformation is increasingly exposed and rejected by voters. The episode also emphasizes the significance of storytelling, truth-telling, and accurate representation in shaping public discourse and facilitating progress.
Bullying at work is real. We're dropping a bonus episode from Kim's Just Work podcast featuring a conversation about bullying at work, in Hollywood and within our greater society with co-host Wesley Faulkner and guest Eric Deggans. When someone is bullying you, the person’s goal is to harm you. Telling the person you are being harmed is just going to result in more bad behavior. Ignoring bullies doesn’t work, either. The only way to stop bullying is to create negative consequences for the people doing the bullying.
