A few days ago, I found out that I have a "scandalous" reputation. When I asked further about it, my coworker informed me that some guy told her that I've apparently slept my way to where I am now. Luckily, my coworker defended me and told him he shouldn't be talking about things that he doesn't know and shouldn't be spreading gossip anyway.
This got me really upset because as of now, I've done my best NOT to have THAT kind of reputation in this industry because so many people have told me to be careful about that. As I got to thinking, I realized how ridiculous that sounded, especially with the person I was accused of sleeping around with and after further investigation, I was shocked as to the other names that I have been attached to.
As I continued to think and speak with my friends further about this topic, I got to thinking, how come I'm the scandalous one AND not the guys I've apparently slept with? Why do women in this industry have the stigma of "being the village bicycle" but the men who pay for their services are just men and their behavior is acceptable?
Mind you, I'm not stating in any way that I actually DID sleep with the names I was accused of sleeping with because if I stated who these other names were, the people who know them would laugh at the accusations, BUT, how come they're not considered shady or scandalous but I'm the one that has to be accused of being scandalous?
It got me really upset not only at the people spreading the gossip but also at myself because I have caught myself in situations where people have said such things about other people and I did nothing to stop it.
If Asians in the industry want to be a driving force to be reckoned with, we shouldn't be spreading malicious gossip and creating division but instead, we should be trying to stop it and helping those being accused of something to correct their behavior in order to become a more solid unit.
I'm not going to say I'm perfect either but I am glad I have people who call me out, even if it means I'll have to pull over and cry for two hours because they're lecturing me late at night. But that's another story I'll save for another time.
