The ELCA is committed to challenging and eradicating sexism in this church and society.If only that were true. Katie's experience is that the ELCA headquarters in Chicago works too hard at quashing and "eradicating" the individuals who speak up about the sexism in that very building.
People who care about this issue already know the theory. Sitting around discussing theory allows church leaders to keep the real problems in their midst at bay. They create the illusion that they are dealing with sexism but turn a blind eye to employees' suffering.
This is dangerous. Employees read these statements and believe they are working in an environment where it is safe for them to come forward and report sexist behaviors.
(Continued)
But it isn't safe at all. Unfortunately, women in leadership positions that could change the environment if they had the vision and backbone, are among the first to come down on female employees who speak out.
Katie fears that the ELCA has made little progress on women's issues in the past two decades. She's concerned that a Social Statement on Justice for Women will not bring courageous voices to the table, but the same old status quo keepers.
In one department employees were asked to write on a slip of paper any problems with sexism. That's no way to deal with such a serious problem.
Some employees who spoke directly with the department head found their concerns dismissed. "Human" Resources also made it clear this was not a safe environment for such talk.
It's action, not theory, that's warranted. Church members and employees need a faith community that will not tolerate sexism. Sadly, it's not happening.
