Why do men still wear this uniform? I see dictators wearing it, less than trustworthy politicians wearing it, narcissistic ‘leaders’ wearing it. I’m still making sense of why it bugs me so much, but it does. I’m sick of seeing prominent figures in the news and media who I have no respect for, wearing it. Now, to be very clear, there are a lot of very respectable, upstanding, compassionate and inspirational individuals who also wear the uniform.

What I’m clear on is that this uniform provides no guarantees, certainly not of professionalism, integrity or ability. I did a bit of probing online. One suggestion on why this uniform is worn (well at least the tie) was as follows. “Men continue to wear one because they believe that it gives them an air of intelligence and authority far greater than they actually have “If a tie gets you the job, it says a lot about the people who hired you””. (https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-26841,00.html). There is also this quote from US journalist Linda Ellerbie (a woman of course): “If men can run the world, why can’t they stop wearing neckties? How intelligent is it to start the day by tying a little noose around your neck?”.

Zelensky or Putin? Who inspires you? Who would you trust most? One is strutting around in a shirt a tie. The other is in a t-shirt fighting for his country’s life.

I come to the conclusion that the uniform is part of the airbrushing in society – a way of giving an air of order and confirmity, part of keeping the curtain in place so we don’t too eagerly look behind to understand how the system is really working and at what cost.

And franky, while it’s not only white men that wear this uniform, it smacks of white male privilege in a world where white males are in the minority but exert their influence and entitlement in positions of influence and power. Take a look at this example of an MP’s constituency dinner – https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/what-is-so-enraging-about-a-group-of-white-men-/; or this recent ‘classic’ from the Munich security conference: https://www.dw.com/en/does-this-picture-tell-the-real-story-of-corporate-germany/a-60896179

I know I enjoy privilege. Perhaps that’s why for the last week I’ve been wearing a t-shirt and two jumpers as my uniform through the working week – at a career stage where I was able to feel I was being seen for who I am, not the uniform I have on. Lots of others I appreciate, may not have this luxury, or feel they have this luxury.

I’m fascinated by why it seems to be OK in a Teams/Zoom call to dress down but if you were to venture out into the face-to-face world, the shirt (possibly tie) and jacket uniform comes back out. Imagine turning up at a conference or meeting in an AC/DC t-shirt. OK working from home though.

The world is in a bad place. I’m looking for people who inspire me, and right now that’s not The Man and his shirt-tie-jacket uniform.

I realise this remains a work in progress.

#diversityandinclusion