Mila Kunis thinks βchange isnβt coming fast enoughβ when it comes to sexism at work.
On Wednesday, the 33-year-old actress published a powerful essay on A Plus detailing the sexism sheβs faced throughout her career. Kunis described multiple times her talent has been blatantly undermined by producers and other people in the industry simply because sheβs a woman.
Kunis wrote about the first time she confronted workplace sexism. During a photoshoot for a menβs magazine, for which she refused to pose half-naked for the shoot, the producer told her sheβd βnever work in this town again.β
βWhat this producer may never realize is that he spoke aloud the exact fear every woman feels when confronted with gender bias in the workplace,β Kunis wrote on A Plus (which is owned by Kunisβ husband Ashton Kutcher). βItβs what we are conditioned to believe β that if we speak up, our livelihoods will be threatened; that standing our ground will lead to our demise. We donβt want to be kicked out of the sandbox for being a βbitch.ββ
Kunis said sheβs experienced sexism so many times and in so many different ways, but sheβs finally realizing that she doesnβt need to play by the rules of Hollywoodβs βboyβs club.β
Throughout my career, there have been moments when I have been insulted, sidelined, paid less, creatively ignored, and otherwise diminished based on my gender. And always, I tried to give people the benefit of the doubt; maybe they knew more, maybe they had more experience, maybe there was something I was missing. I taught myself that to succeed as a woman in this industry I had to play by the rules of the boyβs club. But the older I got and the longer I worked in this industry, the more I realized that itβs bullshit! And, worse, that I was complicit in allowing it to happen.
Itβs not only the blatant moments of sexism that are detrimental, Kunis added. Small comments and seemingly harmless jokes also add to workplace sexism.
βItβs these very [small] comments that women deal with day in and day out in offices, on calls, and in emails β microaggressions that devalue the contributions and worth of hard-working women,β Kunis wrote.
Kunis wrote that sheβs done letting sexist bullshit slide. From now on sheβs going to speak up when these microaggressions occur.
βIβm done compromising; even more so, Iβm done with being compromised,β Kunis wrote. βSo from this point forward, when I am confronted with one of these comments, subtle or overt, I will address them head on; I will stop in the moment and do my best to educate.β
Weβre with you, Mila.
Head over to A Plus to read the rest of Kunisβ essay.