Cleopatra's Legacy: Gender Bias In The Workplace

CCPC Audio Podcast Episode 00024

Excerpt from author and scholar Jerilee Wei’s alternative history series and complimentary script from our good friends over at Cajun Chronicles in their recent podcast provided to this The Deep Dive podcast. We hope you enjoy it!

Laurent: Welcome to our Cajun Chronicles Podcast Corporation online home! Bienvenue chez nous à nos Chroniques Cajuns! Our topic in today’s podcast is discrimination in the workplace based on gender bias. This is nothing new, but lately it seems it’s gotten worse. There’s even concern that with the development of AI in recruitment and decision making the whole problem of gender bias is being amplified.

New awareness of the “Motherhood Penalty” (discrimination against women who have children in hiring, promotions, and pay) is one factor that continues. Another is, “Bro Culture” in all male dominated industries, creating toxic workplace cultures that exclude and marginalize women. Add the increasing intersection of other forms of discrimination – such as race and class – and not a lot has changed even if you go back to the days of Cleopatra.

Cajun Chronicles Audio Podcast - Bringing you the heart of Louisiana. Artwork generated with Google Docs Image Maker

Dominique and I are here today to open discussions and awareness. In our research on this topic:

We’ve found a real gem of an article published when it comes to this most important hot topic we all should be talking about – How gender bias has played out across history. Oui, exact-ment. From, you know, ancient Egypt and Cleopatra’s day. Mm-Hmm. all the way to the boardrooms of today.

Dominique: Wow, I found this so exciting. That's a fascinating discussion on a lot of minds of women like myself and I think it's so important to really take a closer look at it.

Laurent: Oui. Those powerful women in history and how they were portrayed. Ça marche. And we've found this fascinating take on the subject by author and poet, Jerilee Wei.

You know, from what we’ve read, she’s challenged the whole myth that Cleopatra was just a seductress narrative.

Cajun Chronicles Audio Podcast - Bringing you the heart of Louisiana. Artwork generated with Google Docs Image Maker

Tale Of Two Cleo’s In The Boardroom Of Alternative History

On one side of the Nile a pyramid-shaped building, chrome & sharp as Abu al-Hawl sphinx’s stare,
Giza Plateau CEO Cleopatra, with a you-can’t-handle-the-truth smirk arrives, ready to rewrite history’s snare.
No more flowing Grecian draped robes, nor an Asp this time, wearing a suit, her new armor of choice,
Watch me-work-my-magic killer heels on the warpath, a pride of overfed lions BOD’s faced her commanding voice.

Gentlemen, she drawled, a glint in her watch-me-close-the-deal kohl-lined eyes for effect,
“Last quarter’s reports reveal sluggish growth, a profit line we can no longer respect.”
Chairman Caesar Augustus T. Rex (great-nephew of the Julius kind) loudly objected at this time,
Huffed & puffed, in a usual blustery mess, with a spray can tan & a toupee comb over most unkind.

“My dear,” he condescendingly wheezed, “Perhaps the kitchen’s where your true talents reside?
Leave Egypt’s business to the stronger, more able minds; the Nile’s meant for a calmer tide.”
Cleopatra, unfazed unveiled her well-thought-out plan, a new strategic camel trail ever so bright,
With charts & graphs that painted a future that soared, the men watched in the flickering pen light.

Expanded exports agreed upon! Less bureaucracy! Tourism with Bastet’s Enigma Sphinx feline flair!
We’ll rebrand the Sippy Straw of the Sahara Nile, with destination weddings beyond compare!”
Flock of pigeons around the table clinging to their status quo squirmed, men in suits, faces flushed & red,
Caesar Augustus T. Rex sputtered, “No breaking Ma’at’s man rules. Tutankhamun’s right for us to be held onto. Go back to your Poletmaic Palace woman.”

Cleopatra arched an all knowing brow, her necklace of checked temper emeralds unwound.
She purred, “My dears, new modern innovation’s key, not continuing hoarding old treasures withheld.
This Cat-tastrophe-Cancelling babble pays for itself, it’s a story that is ripe to be sold.”
That’s how it went down, the Queen on passion driven fire, with wit as sharp as her crown.

Slayed the ancient dinosaur dragon director’s board, their sexist notions all brought down,
Won them over, a raise, new title, Cleopatra ruled fair from that day on,
Papyrus ceiling shattered loud, one woman paving hers & that of others in their own way,
History rewrote itself in tiny acts for the good of all, big impacts equals happiness & prosperity grand.

Cleopatra traded her old crown for a new one, “Cleopatra Queen of the Boardroom,
One more Queen on fire, with wit as sharp as any noble jeweled crown,
Threw out the unfair misogynist dragons of yesterday, their sexist notions all brought down.
No more whispers low about controlling women’s rights, remember Cleo, still laughing at old dinosaur dragon men, a hilarious sight.

Cajun Chronicles Audio Podcast - Bringing you the heart of Louisiana. Artwork generated with Google Docs Image Maker

What If Cleopatra Was In Charge Today?

On the other side of the Nile, boardrooms, courtrooms, & congressional floors filled with dark navy suits so tailor & sharp,
A woman at the podium, sharing ideas bright, her mind alight, but whispers around the conference room start to roar.
“Is she too bossy in that pants suit? Shouldn’t she smile a little more? Perhaps a touch of deference, the power’s at the door.”
Her male counterpart, with tie askew & hair uncombed, speaks of profits, markets strong, as silence fills the air.

The numbers boldly prance, the Venn diagrams & charts ignite,
His voice a booming tired same ol’ same ol’ morning meeting tone,
Then she steps up to speak of a strategy, a yawn at the head of the table escapes that throne,
“Aggressive,” one man murmurs low. Another chimes in with “a touch too shrill I fear.”
While bluster from good ol’ boys network is met with silent fears & tears.

Hired on promised annual raise denied, the hinted at deserved title missed, the subtle sting of doubt,
For climbing to the holy grail mountain’s peak, a woman has to learn to shout.
They say it’s skill. It’s experience, or just a game where only men are allowed to excel.
Just maybe, well . . . it could be the pants that cast the rising success spell.

Shatter faux glass telling you what you can’t do ceiling, eliminate pay gaps wide & deep,
For women with the brains to lead & voices strong enough to honor promises made to keep.
Beating the moldy old generational hold, bias so deep, ready to rewrite together history’s real scene,
Where power suits come in all genders, queens can wear what they want, & still be both heard & seen.

Cajun Chronicles Audio Podcast - Bringing you the heart of Louisiana. Artwork generated with Google Docs Image Maker

Dominique: En effet. You'll be surprised at what we discovered when we started to kind of like, you know, dig deeper.

Laurent: Tout à fait. Dig deeper, always look beyond the surface.

I love it. I mean, it's fascinating how history can get so distorted. Especially when we're talking about women in positions of power. It's like someone took Cleopatra's legacy and, you know, like a game of telephone.

Dominique: Yeah. It's just a whisper of what it actually was that most of us don’t know.

Laurent: Yeah. It's time to set the record straight. Author Jerilee Wei dives into her accomplishments as a leader. And let me tell you, Cleopatra was more than just a pretty face.

Dominique : Oh, I bet. I’ve read we're talking about her even boosting trade reforming taxes.

Laurent: Wow. C'est indiscutable.

Dominique: Championing the ancient Egyptian language. That's what I'm talking about. This is where it gets really interesting. When you start to look at her actual achievements, you see a strategic and intelligent leader who is actively trying to strengthen her kingdom.

I mean, it really challenges that whole seductress trope. And it reveals a much more complex and capable ruler.

Laurent: Okay, so let's unpack this seductress narrative. Author Jerilee Wei points out that this was largely a Roman construct.

Cajun Chronicles Audio Podcast - Bringing you the heart of Louisiana. Artwork generated with Google Docs Image Maker

Dominique: Hmm. It was a way to discredit her. And justify their takeover of Egypt.

Laurent: Oui, exact-ment.

It's a classic tactic, unfortunately. And one that we see echoed throughout history. Uh. You know? Powerful women are often painted as manipulative or overly ambitious.

Dominique: Exactement ça. Their achievements are always downplayed. And their personal lives are scrutinized just to undermine their authority.

Laurent: Mm hmm. You know? It's almost like a way to reinforce those patriarchal power structures that ultimately benefit men. It's like they're saying, sure, Cleopatra might be smart, she might be capable.

Dominique : But always followed by implying she got to where she is by using her, you know, her feminine wiles. This is the way to dismiss her accomplishments and make people question her legitimacy as a leader.

Laurent: Bien sûr. And by portraying her this way, those powerful men can justify, you know, taking over Egypt. It's like, ‘Oh, we're saving the kingdom from this woman who's unfit to rule.’ It's a pattern we see time and time again, smear the woman, seize the power.

This makes me wonder how much of what we think we know about. History is actually just like biased storytelling, you know, designed to serve a particular agenda.

Dominique: Yes. It really highlights the importance of critical analysis.

Laurent: We're looking at historical facts that are mired in myth according to author Jerilee Wei. It's so important.

We need to ask, you know, who wrote the history we mostly are taught? What were their motivations? What perspective are they presenting? It's like being a detective piecing together the evidence to get a more accurate picture of the past. So how does Cleopatra's story connect to the gender bias we see in workplaces and leadership today?

Photo of Jerilee Wei from author Jerilee Wei’s family album.

Dominique: Well, author Jerilee Wei does in her analysis this fascinating creative poetic thing to get her point across. She takes Cleopatra and places her in a modern context using these like alternate history scenarios. She does this expertly entirely through free verse poetry.

Laurent: Oh, interesting. That's a unique approach.

Dominique: Yeah. In one instance, she's this savvy CEO navigating a boardroom full of those like old boys club types.

Laurent: I can see it.

Dominique : Oui. And then in another poetic scenario, she's facing the subtle sexism that many women experience in workplaces today. So interesting. It's brilliant. It's brilliant because it bridges the gap between ancient history and the present.

Laurent: C'est indéniable. Little has changed when it comes to gender bias. And it shows us that the challenges that she faced, albeit in a different context, are still very much relevant to the experiences of women in leadership today. It's like the author is holding up a mirror to the past and realizing that we haven't come as far as we might think.

Dominique: I know, as a woman I find it sad. When it comes to gender equality. It's kind of disheartening, but also, it's a good wake up call.

Laurent: I guess, definitely a wake up call for women but also men, like myself who are allies to women in this battle for equal rights. These scenarios in prose are like a thought experiment, you know? Asking us to consider how much has really changed.

Dominique: Yeah, how much has changed.

Laurent: Oh, really? That makes you think. Tell me more.

Dominique: For sure. So let's dive deeper into these alternate history scenarios. I'm really curious to see how Cleopatra would navigate, you know, the modern workplace. First of all, we've got Cleopatra, the CEO.

Laurent: Okay. Taking on the boardroom, I can already picture it.

Dominique : Oh, yeah. Power fashion killer heels along with that signature Cleopatra eyeliner.

Laurent: Oh, yeah. Then Jerilee Wei paints a unique picture I bet. It's sadly a tale as old as time, isn't it tho’ ? Women in leadership constantly have to fight against those assumptions.

Dominique: It is. But what's inspiring in this scenario is that Cleopatra doesn't back down. She doesn't try to fit into their mold. She uses her intelligence, her strategic thinking, and her charisma to win them over with, you know, innovative ideas. A bold vision for the company's future. It's a classic to disrupt the system from within the story.

Laurent: Yeah, the verse is so empowering. It shows that women can and do succeed in male dominated spaces.

Dominique: Absolutely. Even when they're facing push back.

Laurent: She highlights those spaces often need to change to become more inclusive and more equitable. It's not enough to just have a few women at the top.

Dominique: Non, c'est vrai. The system itself needs to evolve, right? So that it doesn't force women to constantly prove themselves.

Laurent: Or conform to masculine norms in order to succeed. Okay. Switching gears to the second scenario, that one places Cleopatra in a more everyday workplace now.

Dominique: Hmm. Facing that kind of subtle sexism that's often harder to pinpoint.

Laurent: Yes. But can be just as damaged. Oh, this scenario really highlights how insidious everyday sexism can be. It's less about those overt attacks, and more about the microaggressions. Each instance might seem small.

Dominique: The whispers, the constant questioning of her authority. It died by a thousand paper cuts. C'est ça. But the cumulative effect can be incredibly draining and demoralizing.

Laurent: Exactly. The author captures this perfectly, with details like people wondering if she's too bossy.

Dominique: Or commenting on her appearance instead of her ideas. It's those subtle messages that chip away at a woman's confidence and make her question her place. And what's even more frustrating is that these messages are often disguised as helpful advice.

Laurent: Like, oh, you should smile more. Yeah. Or, maybe you could soften your approach.

Dominique: Exactly. But underneath it all is this expectation that women should conform to certain gender norms and not step outside of those boundaries.

Laurent: It's about control, isn't it? Trying to keep women within the confines of what's considered acceptable behavior for their gender. And it reinforces the idea that women's worth is tied to their likability rather than their competence. It's so true.

Dominique: And it puts the on us on women to change their behavior instead of addressing the systemic issues that perpetuate these double standards. It's not about individual women, you know, leaning in or being assertive.

Laurent: Oui. It's about dismantling those ingrained barriers. Those are the biases that hold women back. It's also about creating a culture where women are not only allowed to lead, but are actively encouraged and supported to do so.

Dominique: Complètement. And where their contributions are valued and celebrated.

Laurent: Yes. Not minimized or dismissed. It makes you realize that Cleopatra's story isn't just ancient history. It's a reflection of this ongoing struggle for gender equality that continues to this day.

Dominique: It's a call to action for all of us to challenge those outdated norms and create a It begs the question, if Cleopatra were leading today, would she face fewer obstacles?

Laurent: Hmm. Or would she find herself battling the same biases, just in a different guise? That's such a thought provoking question.

Dominiqu : Uh huh. It makes you wonder how far we've really come.

Laurent: I see. And how much work we still have to do to create a world where gender is no longer a barrier to leadership. For sure. But let's shift gears a bit and explore the role of social media in all of this.

Dominique: Okay. Author and poet Jerilee Wei raises some interesting points about how social media is impacting the conversation of gender and leadership.

Laurent: Yeah, it feels like social media is this, like, double edged sword when it comes to gender bias. On the one hand, social media’s take on it gives women a platform to speak out and challenge the status quo.

Dominique: But on the other hand, it can also amplify those harmful stereotypes and create a breeding ground for negativity. It's like this digital coliseum, you know, where voices can be amplified.

Laurent: Yeah. And battles for equality are waged, but like, any coliseum? It can also be a place of spectacle, where people are pitted against each other, and the loudest voices often drown out the most important messages. Think about movements like hashtag Me Too and hashtag Time's Up.

Dominique: Of course. They really gained traction online for sending women a platform to share their experiences with harassment and discrimination.

Laurent: It felt like this global wave of solidarity and a powerful call for change. Oui, exact-ment, social media can definitely be a catalyst for awareness and social change. But sadly, they both got almost immediately misused, misconstrued, and dismissed as “anti-men.”

It gave people a way to connect, organize, and mobilize in ways that weren't possible before. But once again the movement was a mixed bag of social media trends. We can't ignore the potential for negativity.

Dominique: Definitely there’s a dark side to it. We see how quickly misinformation and harmful stereotypes can spread online.

Laurent: Mm hmm. And women in leadership are often targeted with sexist attacks and online harassment.

Dominique: Sans aucun doute. It's almost late for every step forward. There's this step backwards.

It goes back to what we were talking about earlier, you know? Those deeply ingrained biases that are so hard to shake social media can act as a mirror. Reflecting both the progress we've made and the work that still needs to be done. So what does this mean for us as individuals?

Laurent: Sure, that's heavy , isn't it? What does it mean still today? How can we be more mindful of the role we play in this online landscape? It starts with being aware of our own biases. We all have them. Yes. It's part of being human, but the key is to recognize them and work to challenge them. We also need to be critical consumers of information, you know? Don't just believe everything you read online.

Check out Jerilee Wei’s original take on it (Cleopatra’s Asp: More Hiss Than Truth) take on it if you can. Consider different perspectives, and be wary of anything that feels designed to provoke outrage or reinforce stereotypes. It's about being more intentional with what we share and amplify, right? Do we want to contribute to the noise and negativity? Or do we want to use our understanding and create a more inclusive online space?

Dominique: Faut pas oublie pas ça. And remember, silence is complicity. If we see someone being attacked or harassed online, speak up. Challenge those hurtful comments. Amplify the voices of those who are being marginalized. It feels like Cleopatra's story is a powerful reminder that history is not just something that happened in the past.

It's still shaping our present. And the stories we tell, the narratives we perpetuate, have a real impact on how we understand the world. It's a call to action for all of us to be more conscious of the information we consume, the stories we believe, and the voices we choose to amplify. By questioning assumptions, challenging biases, and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable world, we can help create a future where leadership knows no gender.

It just goes to show that even a figure as iconic as Cleopatra can reveal something new about ourselves and the world we live in.

Laurent: Absolutely. Thanks for those of you listening and joining us on this deep dive. We'll see you next time for another fascinating exploration of why we all should be looking for insights found in ancient history!

---

A special thanks to our good friends over at The Deeper Dive for their wonderful analysis of this segment in our series on Equal Rights!