Dana White Needs To Stop Calling Media Members 'Honey'
White's language might not reach the level of sexual harassment or discrimination, but it is out of line
Look, we know UFC president Dana White is not the most politically correct guy. That fact has made some see him as an admirable figure. Others, and I count myself among this group, just kind of sadly shake their heads when he says something "edgy" or out of line. At Saturday's UFC 242 post-fight press conference, White pulled out one of his classics.
While the UFC boss was taking questions from the assembled media, he said the following to one member of the press who was on-site in Abu Dhabi, "Go ahead, honey." If it's not obvious, that media member was a woman. Also, if it's not obvious, to refer to someone in a professional setting in that manner is totally inappropriate.
White might think he's being charming or…shit, I don't know what he's thinking, but that type of banter hasn't been cool for the past 50 years. Plus, and this is a big one, it might be considered sexual harassment or discrimination.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Civil Rights, the following are "examples of sexual harassment."
Examples of Sexual Harassment
Any of these elements may constitute sexual harassment or discrimination. These examples are not meant to be all inclusive.
Physical contact
Squeezing a worker's shoulders or putting a hand around his or her waist
Gestures, such as puckering one's lips suggestively or making obscene signs with one's fingers or hands
Telling off-color jokes
Pictures of al sexual nature
Pin-ups, particularly those of scantily-clad individuals
Verbal or written comments of a sexual nature
Terms of endearment, such as calling a co-worker "honey," "dear," "sweetheart," or some similar expression. (The effect is the primary issue rather than intent. Even if the person "means nothing to you" or you have "used the term for years" you should be aware that such expressions are inappropriate.)
If White's actions do not reach the level of sexual harassment or discrimination since the media member is not an employee of the UFC, the use of a term of endearment in a professional setting is still wildly inappropriate.
As former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi said at the 2016 Women in the World Summit. "I hate being called 'sweetie' or 'honey' at times, which I still am called. All that has got to go," she said. "We've got to be treated as executives or people rather than honey, or sweetie, or babe. That has to change."
Ask yourself this, has White ever referred to a male member of the media using a term of endearment? I would be surprised if he's ever used anything stronger than "buddy" when speaking to a man. So, why is it okay for him to address a woman as "honey." It's not.
I'm surprised no one has ever attempted to correct White on this. The UFC has to have a Human Resources department. Is White allowed to say whatever he wants because of his power and standing in the organization? Does it go unaddressed out of fear? Whatever the reason, it needs to stop. Hell, it needed to end a long time ago.
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Music/Movie Time
With the death of Daniel Johnston on Wednesday, I was thinking about where he ranks among the now deceased legends of the Austin music scene and I think he would rank third behind Roky Erickson and Townes Van Zandt. All three have documentary films about them and you should search these out:
The Devil and Daniel Johnston:
Be Here to Love Me:
You’re Gonna Miss Me: