Why International Women's Day is a call to action for guys like me.

The genius of Get Out (Jordan Peele’s smash-hit genre bending film) is that it makes me feel really uncomfortable. I identify with Bradley Whitford’s ‘I’d have voted for Obama a third time’ character: that is until things take a sudden darker turn! As a white male it gets to the heart of our problem with equality and progress; too many of us in privileged positions (white, male, affluent, straight etc) say all the right things, but actually do very little. Even worse than that when confronted with inequality we often fall silent.

I’ll use the performing arts sector to highlight my point given the current awareness of abuse that has taken place over many years. I’d ask how often a theatre hired an actor with a reputation for taking advantage of their status? The need to sell tickets often influences who stars in what show, not past (mis)behaviour. I was watching Graham Norton a few weeks ago when Hugh Grant shared an anecdote about an older actor who would time his entry into Grant’s dressing room just as he was getting undressed. He told the story for effect and got laughs. However it is easy to imagine the encounter in a less amusing context; I would question how often this scenario is played out when the individuals getting changed are female?

If you think I’m exaggerating then consider this. A close friend was in a play with a well-known actor. Prior to meeting him the women of the cast and crew were taken to one side; they were told that despite his attention to reject his advances, and that they certainly shouldn’t think they were special. This wasn’t motivated by a desire to actually stop the behaviour but a selfish need to create less drama for the whole company.

Recent allegations against Kevin Spacey have further highlighted the power actors and directors can have. I’ve known a number of people involved in performing arts for a long time, from music to stage, and the pressure to find work is immense. That can force them into actions they’d normally never consider. The sector is underfunded and there are significantly fewer roles available to women and BME actors. Suggestion that Spacey taking a liking to you would help you get a role (in a play) have circled for years - male actors were told you should write to him with a headshot attached asking to meet for coffee. Actors will be angry at The Old Vic for claiming they weren't aware of the allegations. I think much of the current anger in the industry is driven by the feeling that those with the power to act have only done so once issues have been exposed to a wider audience. Institutions have fallen short of protecting vulnerable people and minority groups until caught actively looking in the opposite direction.

This brings me back to my opening point. As an individual born with just about every natural privilege society can bestoy - my actions must speak louder than words. Where people with status raise awareness of an issue it can’t just be the equivalent of ‘voting for Obama a third time’. This International Women’s Day comes at a point where #metoo has cast a light on the conditions women in professional workspaces are forced to endure. I have to be comfortable looking in the mirror. I have used a sector currently in the spotlight, but I’d be a fool to think that my industry is immune to discrimination. I will witness abuse and at that moment I can’t fall silent.