Because It’s 2015

There was a big deal made this week when Canada’s new Prime Minister responded to a question about his 50% female cabinet by simply saying, “It’s 2015”. Loved it. Our new PM is a sexy beast and he became exponentially hotter in that moment. And let’s not get all judge-y because I’m not demeaning him or trying to belittle his accomplishments. Super smart, super awesome politician, AND sexy beast… just sayin’.

So a whole bunch of women, me included, have been tweeting and facebooking and Pinteresting, and whatever else we womenfolk do; making our little homages to the moment. And, suddenly, there are comments from “friends” we never knew we had. Male friends, mostly. Based on their little icon images, many of them seem to be white, sport facial hair of some sort, and have quirky usernames that make me think of The Dukes of Hazard. 

And they are concerned. Deeply concerned. Truly, truly worried about their brothers in Ottawa who may have been wronged by what they perceive as a shift from a meritocracy to some sort of Affirmative Action system. To quote one fellow:

“…that could also be interpreted as it being 2015, the year that you get promoted just for being a woman.”

OMG! Is 2015 THAT year?!? Because I have been waiting 50+ years for that year and I am a bit crushed that it has nearly passed and I haven’t even gotten in the line for that just-because-I’m-a-woman promotion! Did I miss the marketing campaign? Who do I call to get my free ride?

Most importantly, can I demand a redo on some of the situations I encountered this year? Like…

• To the two male representatives of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency who moved my business meeting from their offices to a food court, did not open my Strategic Business Plan, and recommended that I find “some women’s group” to finance my expansion, can I say…. Did you know it was 2015?
• To the business-banking specialist who did not once, in five years, inquire at all about the nature of my business, and who referred me to a call centre when I inquired about setting up a line of credit, can I say… Did you know it was 2015?
• To the car salesman who suggested that we wait until my husband could be with me before we took a test drive, can I say…Did you know it was 2015?
• To all the men at all the parties (and the women) who talk to my husband about his work but talk to me about my kids, can I say… Did you know it was 2015?
• To every media source that comments on Hilary Clinton’s clothing, her weight, her age, and how her “drive” may be affecting her family, can I say… Did you know it was 2015?

And to all the Dukes-of-Hazard wannabes who are so frantically defending the existing ‘merit’ system, can I say… don’t worry about me, my friends.

I got by without that financing; I found a new bank account manager (female) and got my line of credit; I bought a new car from a salesperson (female) at Subaru; and I voted in a new Prime Minister who knows how things ought to be in 2015.